How good of a trainer was Lou Duva?

[billeau2]

Golata got attacked by one of those mag lite flashlights.. Tomahawked by it.. Ouch

That was the day that technology took a back seat to pure old fashioned mass. Surely someone about to wreck the scalp of an offender could be heard to utter...oh what I would give for a nice, 1951 3 pound, cast iron, Bently oil engine plug that fits in the hand like a jaybird, this flip phone is just inadequate to the task!

[billeau2]

True. Kind of like how Ronda Rousey's mom has been critical of her boxing trainer recently and said he's getting undeserved attention because of her success, which is probably more due to her well rounded skills, even though she's got some stoppage wins, than his training.

true. Rhonda's mom is pure old school...I taught kids for free in schools like she does in LA and its a lot of work. It also shows dedication because it is not the limelight. She was a great champion, which I never was...it takes a lot of goodness to make that commitment. I trust her at her word regarding this trainer, i.e. I doubt he ever made himself available for those growing up who could use some help like martial arts training.

[ShoulderRoll]

I recall George Benton claiming that Duva was never a trainer and that they used Benton and Ronnie Shields for strategy. At least that's what Benton claimed.

Interesting. I knew that George Benton helped Main Events a lot (Pernell Whitaker in particular seems to have benefited immensely from his teachings) but had never heard that Ronnie Shields worked for them as well.

Now I'm curious to find out more about Ronnie's background and history. He's a trainer that has flown under my radar for the most part, even though I am aware of him and have seen him with several different boxers.

[joseph5620]

Interesting. I knew that George Benton helped Main Events a lot (Pernell Whitaker in particular seems to have benefited immensely from his teachings) but had never heard that Ronnie Shields worked for them as well.

Now I'm curious to find out more about Ronnie's background and history. He's a trainer that has flown under my radar for the most part, even though I am aware of him and have seen him with several different boxers.

Shields actually took over as lead trainer for Pernell Whitaker after Benton left Duva and main events.



Here's a good article that covers what happened between Duva and Benton.


http://articles.dailypress.com/1994-...vents-fighters

[ShoulderRoll]

Shields actually took over as lead trainer for Pernell Whitaker after Benton left Duva and main events.



Here's a good article that covers what happened between Duva and Benton.


http://articles.dailypress.com/1994-...vents-fighters

Good article. Thanks.

So Shields was a former fighter for Main Events, then when he retired he moved on to being an assistant trainer for Whitaker. He probably picked up some useful knowledge from watching Benton during those years.

[Ray Corso]

I first met Duva in Totowa NJ at the second or third espn TV show. Seemed to be a likeable guy who was heading up a promotion company and acting as manager too.
I ran into him again when he was moving Alex Ramos and the matchmaker I worked for was hekping Duva out with opponents. He had him working at a Hartford gym for some sparring and then he fought once or twice on a Hartford show.
I never thouight of Duva as a trainer although he was present in alot of his fighters bouts. He seemed more of a emotional rally kind of a guy as opposed to actually guiding with technical advise.
I know he used Certo and he has cutmen like Ralph Citro & Eddie Aliano at his service. Benton was the main trainer and a few other guys too. I know he signed fighters out from underneath other trainers and that wasn't looked at very well but it takes two to tango so the blame goes to the fighter first but it was done in a non professional manner.

I think Lou was in the corner with Pazienza's father when they went crazy in Italy I think in Millan. Vinnie got stopped and both his fstgher & Duva went crazy in the ring. This was televised back in the mid 80's I think and really through a wrench into Vinnie moving. It was hysterically funny to watch, don't know if its on the net or not. I watched it because it was from To Tip Boxing who hired me many times to handle fighters boxing in Milan.

I know Duva got credit for being in many corners but I don't know how much teaching if any he actually did. I worked across the ring from him a few times and he was always cordial to me.

Ray.

[ShoulderRoll]

I know he used Certo and he has cutmen like Ralph Citro & Eddie Aliano at his service. Benton was the main trainer and a few other guys too.

What do you know about Al Certo, Ray? Who did he learn the game from and do you consider him to have been a good technical advisor?

[Scott9945]

Here is a clip of Mayweather hitting Duva. It comes at around the 1:00:00 mark of the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws3eLhZK2LY

And as a bonus here is the aftermath of the first Bowe-Golota fight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV8A7jCf4Cg

[Ray Corso]

....What do you know about Al Certo,


Nothing other than working with McGirt and the Viruet bros.
I never met him through the years amnd I think he's one of the Stillman gym guys and my guess is thats where Duva hooked up with him.
I don't think he started any of those fighters out from scratch, I might be wrong on that assumption thats why I hesitate to comment on his knowledge or teaching ability. If he started Buddy and the Viruets out I'd give him some
praise because those guys had skills and smarts.
I think Edwin fought Duran twice to decs losses at 12 & 15rds that were pretty close if I remember correctly. The Viruet bros were good boxers.
Getting in with Ademek and Golota were supposed to be a way to move these guys into prominance on the east coast but that didn't turn out to well especially Golota who showed no heart to fight when he stepped up in competition.
So I really don't have any personal experience with Al, I know he is respected in the New York/ New Jersey boxing scene.
Ray

[boxingnut712]

....What do you know about Al Certo,


Nothing other than working with McGirt and the Viruet bros.
I never met him through the years amnd I think he's one of the Stillman gym guys and my guess is thats where Duva hooked up with him.
I don't think he started any of those fighters out from scratch, I might be wrong on that assumption thats why I hesitate to comment on his knowledge or teaching ability. If he started Buddy and the Viruets out I'd give him some
praise because those guys had skills and smarts.
I think Edwin fought Duran twice to decs losses at 12 & 15rds that were pretty close if I remember correctly. The Viruet bros were good boxers.
Getting in with Ademek and Golota were supposed to be a way to move these guys into prominance on the east coast but that didn't turn out to well especially Golota who showed no heart to fight when he stepped up in competition.
So I really don't have any personal experience with Al, I know he is respected in the New York/ New Jersey boxing scene.
Ray

I think Al Certo is retired from training, and working in boxing. Certo once himself a boxer until a sewing accident left him unable to fight. Al Certo runs a suit shop which I believe is in Union City, NJ.

As for Ronnie Shields, and Roger Bloodworth, they have not seemed to have a lot of success where others have. I always thought Lou Duva was the cutman between these two guys. Roger Bloodworth may have retired, but I am sure Ronnie Shields is still around.