Norman has hired Ronnie Shields as his next trainer, replacing his father, Brian Norman Sr.

Shields has long been one of boxing’s top minds and has trained some of the sport’s best over the last three decades, including former world champions Pernell Whitaker, Vernon Forrest and Evander Holyfield.

He has also been the longtime trainer for former middleweight champion Jermall Charlo and has worked with Erislandy Lara and David Morrell.

"This is Ronnie Shields we're talking about," Norman told The Ring’s Louis Hart. "This is the legend. This is the guy who helped Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield [and] my hometown guy Vernon Forrest. The mentality that we both have and the way that we both operate, the chemistry and even boxing-wise, style-wise, everything matches up. I feel like this was the best coach to go with."

Norman (28-1, 22 KOs) also worked with renowned trainer Derrick James before deciding to team up with Shields.

The hiring of Shields means the 25-year-old from Decatur, Georgia, will no longer have his father in his corner. That decision wasn’t easy. Norman said he had multiple conversations with his father before agreeing it was best to go their separate ways professionally.

"Of course, it was a difficult decision because that's my father,” Norman said. “Even got the same name, but it was moreso I just needed to get away from home. I need to get away from home, go outside a little bit more and just go out and do my thing for a second."

He later added: "I became a whole man by everything he taught me, everything he raised me by [and] became a champion, as well. It was a very hard conversation, but men do what men got to do. I had to have that conversation. Me and him sat down a few times, we talked about it. We both came to a conclusion that we had to do what we had to do."

The younger Norman, The Ring’s No. 2-ranked welterweight, lost his perfect record and WBO title by unanimous decision to three-division champion Devin Haney on Nov. 22.

Norman had successfully defended the title twice, including delivering The Ring’s 2025 Knockout of the Year with his brutal fifth-round stoppage of Jin Sasaki in June.

Norman is eyeing a comeback fight this summer, and if all goes according to plan, he hopes to fight for another world title later in the year.