Ronnie Shields (born June 6, 1958 in Port Arthur, Texas) is a former professional boxer in the featherweight division and is currently a boxing trainer.
Amateur career
Shields had a stellar amateur career. In 1974 he was the National Junior Olympics Featherweight champion. In 1975 he was the National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion. In 1976 and 1978 he was the National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.
Shields intended to fly on LOT Polish Airlines Flight 7, where several of his teammates would later be killed, but got sick. His trainer said: Both some amateur results and pro results can be found at www.boxrec.com/ under his boxing name Ronnie Shields.
Pro career
Shields turned pro in 1980. After winning 14 out of his first 15 bouts, Shields fought tougher competition and defeated tough journeymen like Pete Podgorski and contender Saoul Mamby. Then, in 1984 Shields challenged Billy Costello for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a decision. In 1986 he took on Tsuyoshi Hamada in Japan for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a split decision. He retired in 1988.
Trainer
After his boxing career, Shields has become a prominent trainer in the sport. He works out of the Plex Boxing Gym in Stafford, Texas. Among the fighters he has worked with are: Mike Tyson Evander Holyfield David Tua Pernell Whitaker Vernon Forrest Arturo Gatti Juan Díaz Kassim Ouma Egerton Marcus Dominick Guinn Raúl Márquez Jesse James Leija Jesús Chávez Kermit Cintron Vanes Martirosyan Romallis Ellis Tomasz Adamek Chris Arreola Jermell Charlo Artur Szpilka
His current stable includes:
Erislandy Lara
Jermall Charlo
Brian Vera
Edwin Rodríguez
Mike Lee
Steve Lovett
Guillermo Rigondeaux
Efe Ajagba
Austin Dulay
Sena Agbeko
Filip “El Animal” Hrgović
Awards and recognition
World Boxing Hall of Fame's Trainer of the Year (2003)