Manager and promoter Tommy Gilmour has sent Fifer Anderson down to Manchester to train under Shannon ahead of the fight against Belfast boxer Eamonn Magee at the Motherwell Civic Centre on Friday week.
Gilmour explained his strategy, saying: "Nobody has lost their job and nobody has been sacked, we've just changed Kevin's team.
"I think he got into a comfort zone and needed a change.
"We thought it would be better to get someone who was not so close to him who would tell him to get his finger out.
"We wanted somebody who was friendly with Kevin, but not his pal.
"He is a no-nonsense trainer who believes Kevin is an exceptionally talented young man who is potentially a world title challenger.
"Bob has been very tough with Kevin and has stressed just how important this fight is to him.
"Getting good sparring partners is very difficult and Bob happens to train David Barnes who is a former champion in his own right. So I am killing two birds with one stone.
"Magee will be a tough fight and so it's my job to do anything we can do to help Kevin."
Shannon claims he has noticed shades of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in the durable Anderson.
Shannon told PA Sport: "I was watching some heavyweight fights on video and Kevin reminds me of Joe Frazier with his movement, his angles and the way he slips across.
"He also has a lot of natural strength.
"It's been hard for him because we have a busy gym but he has improved."
Shannon, however, admits he would have liked more time with Anderson before he takes on the 35-year-old Belfast boxer.
Magee has never been stopped in his 12-year professional career and he was the first man to floor Ricky Hatton, dropping the Mancunian in the first round of a WBU light-welterweight title challenge in 2002 before losing on points.
Shannon said: "This will be a very difficult fight for Kevin.
"It's not the fight that I would have chosen for him and I would have liked more time to have worked with him, at least a month.
"But he's the younger fighter and I think youth can make the difference."
Anderson trained by Shannon
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TerribleTerry
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 12:30
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TerribleTerry
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 5272
- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 12:30
Terry you are a gym rate around Shannon's place - any news on Anderson's progress?TerribleTerry wrote:I wonder if he has been sparring recent foe Nuumbembe??
Probably a good move - away from his local environment so he can concentrate soley on the fight.
I really like Anderson and he should certainly be too youthful and strong for the craggy, immobile Magee at this stage..
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Downandout
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 04 May 2007, 13:03