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RONNIE SHIELDS: SHANE MOSLEY PERFECT FOR KERMIT CINTRON
By G. Leon
Interview with Cintron's trainer GL: What can you tell us about the possibility of Kermit Cintron facing Shane Mosley next?
Ronnie Shields: ""Shane is now going away from the [proposed Manny] Pacquiao fight and it doesn't look like that fight is going to happen. He mentioned us as somebody he'd be interested in fighting. We're very interested in that fight because Kermit is one of the best welterweights in the world and it would be a great fight with him and Shane. It's a fight that I think the people would want to see."
GL: You worked Vernon Forrest's corner for his two fights with Shane Mosley, so you know what it takes to prepare a fighter to defeat Shane Mosley, how confident are you that you'd be able to duplicate the same success through Cintron?
Ronnie Shields: "I'm confident in my fighter's ability and I'm confident in what my fighter could do. I wouldn't put him in there with somebody he couldn't beat. Shane is a wonderful fighter, but I know Kermit is a better fighter. People might disagree with me or whatever, but the only way you'd know for sure is to put them in there against each other and let them fight each other. Kermit Cintron right now is the best welterweight in the world."
GL After two straight fights are you concerned he might not be as strong at 147 or he might be better at 154 where he hasn't lost?
RS: "He's better at 147. He never had trouble making 147. We went up to 154 because that's where the opportunities to fight presented themself. Kermit was able to eat everyday and make 147 with no problem. That lets you know the kind of condition that Kermit in. He's one of these guys that I think has come into his own as one of the top fighters in the world and he knows what it takes to be champion."
GL: Would Mosley be Cintron's toughest test to date?
RS: "I guess so. Once a good fighter, always a good fighter. He's always going to be one of these guys in great condition and feel he can beat anybody. Who knows how it would go when they get in there? I'm just excited about the prospect and possibility of being able to make this fight."
GL: They say styles make fights and everybody is aware that Kermit has only lost to Antonio Margarito twice and Mosley handled Margarito very easily. Can you tell us why you think stylistically Kermit is a problem for Mosley?
RS: "Because now he has a jab. He's a really good boxer and a bigger puncher and that means a lot fighting Shane Mosley. It's just like when I had Vernon Forrest. He's taller, stronger and he's got a good jab with a powerful right hand. Shane hates guys who jab and throw long right hands. It'll be a challenge for Shane. Shane, there's no doubt about it, he's a great fighter. Andre Berto isn't ready for Shane yet and the Paul Williams fight won't happen because Paul Williams and them won't be too interested in that. Who else will he fight? Of course he can go up and fight Paul Willaims, but that doesn't make sense."
GL: Does Shane Mosley make the same mistakes in 2009 with Richardson in his corner that he made in 2001?
RS: "Well, he had his father back then and now he got Richardson. He didn't look different to me. Shane is still Shane and he's still fighting the same way. The Shane who fought Margarito is the same Shane that fought Vernon Forrest."
GL: Closing thoughts?
RS: "I think boxing is really in a good state right now because all of the top fighters have decided to fight each other. Shane is doing the right thing if he looks to fight the best welterweight out there, which is Kermit Cintron."
By G. Leon
Interview with Cintron's trainer GL: What can you tell us about the possibility of Kermit Cintron facing Shane Mosley next?
Ronnie Shields: ""Shane is now going away from the [proposed Manny] Pacquiao fight and it doesn't look like that fight is going to happen. He mentioned us as somebody he'd be interested in fighting. We're very interested in that fight because Kermit is one of the best welterweights in the world and it would be a great fight with him and Shane. It's a fight that I think the people would want to see."
GL: You worked Vernon Forrest's corner for his two fights with Shane Mosley, so you know what it takes to prepare a fighter to defeat Shane Mosley, how confident are you that you'd be able to duplicate the same success through Cintron?
Ronnie Shields: "I'm confident in my fighter's ability and I'm confident in what my fighter could do. I wouldn't put him in there with somebody he couldn't beat. Shane is a wonderful fighter, but I know Kermit is a better fighter. People might disagree with me or whatever, but the only way you'd know for sure is to put them in there against each other and let them fight each other. Kermit Cintron right now is the best welterweight in the world."
GL After two straight fights are you concerned he might not be as strong at 147 or he might be better at 154 where he hasn't lost?
RS: "He's better at 147. He never had trouble making 147. We went up to 154 because that's where the opportunities to fight presented themself. Kermit was able to eat everyday and make 147 with no problem. That lets you know the kind of condition that Kermit in. He's one of these guys that I think has come into his own as one of the top fighters in the world and he knows what it takes to be champion."
GL: Would Mosley be Cintron's toughest test to date?
RS: "I guess so. Once a good fighter, always a good fighter. He's always going to be one of these guys in great condition and feel he can beat anybody. Who knows how it would go when they get in there? I'm just excited about the prospect and possibility of being able to make this fight."
GL: They say styles make fights and everybody is aware that Kermit has only lost to Antonio Margarito twice and Mosley handled Margarito very easily. Can you tell us why you think stylistically Kermit is a problem for Mosley?
RS: "Because now he has a jab. He's a really good boxer and a bigger puncher and that means a lot fighting Shane Mosley. It's just like when I had Vernon Forrest. He's taller, stronger and he's got a good jab with a powerful right hand. Shane hates guys who jab and throw long right hands. It'll be a challenge for Shane. Shane, there's no doubt about it, he's a great fighter. Andre Berto isn't ready for Shane yet and the Paul Williams fight won't happen because Paul Williams and them won't be too interested in that. Who else will he fight? Of course he can go up and fight Paul Willaims, but that doesn't make sense."
GL: Does Shane Mosley make the same mistakes in 2009 with Richardson in his corner that he made in 2001?
RS: "Well, he had his father back then and now he got Richardson. He didn't look different to me. Shane is still Shane and he's still fighting the same way. The Shane who fought Margarito is the same Shane that fought Vernon Forrest."
GL: Closing thoughts?
RS: "I think boxing is really in a good state right now because all of the top fighters have decided to fight each other. Shane is doing the right thing if he looks to fight the best welterweight out there, which is Kermit Cintron."
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