Former world title challenger turned trainer Ronnie Shields once revealed the greatest fighter that he has ever worked with.
Shields began his career in the corner after announcing his retirement from the sport back in 1988 and has gone on to play a part in the careers of no less than 16 world champions along the way.
Based out of Stafford in Texas, Shields has coached fighters such as Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, though briefly, and Pernell Whitaker to name just a few. His current stable of fighters includes Jermall Charlo, Erislandy Lara and Efe Ajagba.
One man in particular that sticks out for Shields during his storied coaching career is former undisputed world lightweight champion ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker, who is considered by many to be the best defensive fighter of all time.
In an interview with the Ring Magazine, Shields admitted that whilst heavyweight great Holyfield is up there with one of the best he has worked with, there was ‘nobody’ that could top Whitaker.
“That’s a toss-up between Evander Holyfield and Pernell Whitaker. Talent-wise you just can’t beat Pernell Whitaker. If Holyfield has stayed at light heavyweight he would have ruled that division. He went up to cruiserweight and he ruled that division without a doubt and then he went up to heavyweight and ruled. But overall talent, nobody could match Whitaker.”
The late-great Whitaker won world titles in four weight classes throughout the course of his 17-year tenure, sharing the ring with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Felix Trinidad before his retirement from the sport in 2001.
‘Sweet Pea’s masterful footwork, head movement, and ring IQ made him nearly untouchable at his peak, and he has no doubt inspired the likes of Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney today.
