Teddy Atlas

[El Kabong]

Apparently if you come from a household that isn't on welfare or food stamps then you lose a bit of "street cred"...why I don't know. What's worse being a little thug because you have to or being one because you want to?

As for bad corner work vs Foreman, Teddy told him that right cross was coming, Moorer was too stupid and too stubborn to move.

[The Fightfan]

I think when it comes down to it and I was fighting I would take Teddy Atlas over any trainer today. HE knows how to light a fire under his fighter's ass and knows what exactley to tell his fighter.

[ono]

Some good posts in here.

At the end of the day i think we can all agree he's just a poor man's Steve Bunce....

[lamble39]

Not a poor mans Bunce but indeed an American one! Personally think he's a legend, I reckon he talks sense even if he is a tad eccentric! His book is one of the most interesting that I've ever read!

[El Kabong]

Some good posts in here.

At the end of the day i think we can all agree he's just a poor man's Steve Bunce....

...I don't think Teddy's head is soo far up one certain fighter's ass that he can't think straight. Teddy keeps things real for the most part, look at what he did with Povetkin, he didn't make excuses he just said "My guy isn't ready"....no back injury, no Setanta going bankrupt, no contract issues, no nothing other than THE TRUTH.....wish more heavyweights and their trainers (and their media mouthpieces) could handle that simple task of being honest.

I do think Teddy can get overly emotional in a corner and I could see that hurting some fighters but helping others.....the issue with Michael Moorer was that in the Holyfield fight it appeared that Teddy willed Moorer over the finish line (which he did) and that made Moorer resentful and he wanted to do his own thing ever since he got that criticism.

As a boxing fan I would certainly enjoy it if Teddy or hell even Kevin Rooney became popular trainers again, the more various styles we get to see as fans and that boxers get taught the more the history of the sport will live on through those styles so you can look at Mike Tyson and see Jose Torres or Floyd Patterson.

[ono]

Some good posts in here.

At the end of the day i think we can all agree he's just a poor man's Steve Bunce....

...I don't think Teddy's head is soo far up one certain fighter's ass that he can't think straight. Teddy keeps things real for the most part, look at what he did with Povetkin, he didn't make excuses he just said "My guy isn't ready"....no back injury, no Setanta going bankrupt, no contract issues, no nothing other than THE TRUTH.....wish more heavyweights and their trainers (and their media mouthpieces) could handle that simple task of being honest.

I do think Teddy can get overly emotional in a corner and I could see that hurting some fighters but helping others.....the issue with Michael Moorer was that in the Holyfield fight it appeared that Teddy willed Moorer over the finish line (which he did) and that made Moorer resentful and he wanted to do his own thing ever since he got that criticism.

As a boxing fan I would certainly enjoy it if Teddy or hell even Kevin Rooney became popular trainers again, the more various styles we get to see as fans and that boxers get taught the more the history of the sport will live on through those styles so you can look at Mike Tyson and see Jose Torres or Floyd Patterson.

[El Kabong]

#1 When I say "one certain fighter" I mean "one certain fighter in general" not specifically Chicken Little

#2 As for the last part, take it how you want to but Teddy and Povetkin have offered up not many excuses other than A) The sinus infection and B) Teddy doesn't think Povetkin is ready....unlike Pac-Mayweather or Williams-Martinez, or whatever

[ono]

#1 When I say "one certain fighter" I mean "one certain fighter in general" not specifically Chicken Little

#2 As for the last part, take it how you want to but Teddy and Povetkin have offered up not many excuses other than A) The sinus infection and B) Teddy doesn't think Povetkin is ready....unlike Pac-Mayweather or Williams-Martinez, or whatever

Oh Lyle

I was fishing when i said he's a poor man's Steve Bunce. Never mind.

[CFH]

#1 When I say "one certain fighter" I mean "one certain fighter in general" not specifically Chicken Little

#2 As for the last part, take it how you want to but Teddy and Povetkin have offered up not many excuses other than A) The sinus infection and B) Teddy doesn't think Povetkin is ready....unlike Pac-Mayweather or Williams-Martinez, or whatever

Oh Lyle

I was fishing when i said he's a poor man's Steve Bunce. Never mind.

Racist .

[Zelley]

He may or may not be a good trainer, but he is somewhat amusing when he demonstrates stuff, trouble is he often says the same old story line/

[ono]

#1 When I say "one certain fighter" I mean "one certain fighter in general" not specifically Chicken Little

#2 As for the last part, take it how you want to but Teddy and Povetkin have offered up not many excuses other than A) The sinus infection and B) Teddy doesn't think Povetkin is ready....unlike Pac-Mayweather or Williams-Martinez, or whatever

Oh Lyle

I was fishing when i said he's a poor man's Steve Bunce. Never mind.

Racist .

Shut up boy

[holmcall]

Here is a book review I did on Teddy's book a few years back:


Boxing Book Review of Teddy Atlas' Book From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man. Harper Collins, 2006, By Teddy Atlas, Peter Alson

An unsolicited Book Review by Holmcall:

The best way to start this review is to recite those lyrics from a famous Sinatra tune, ".........I'll do it my way.........," and that's what this book is really about. Teddy Atlas doing it his way, even when it meant emotionally draining confrontations and walking away from big paydays.

Though almost borderline "feel good" in certain chapters, I found this book to be an excellent and, at times, even riveting read that makes you anxious to watch Teddy analyze his next fight because now you have a much better foundation for understanding his complex persona. The book reveals more about the fiber and makeup of the author than it does about the activity in which he made his living for thirty years. The exception was when he discussed his complex relationship with Michael Moorerwhere both his compassion and his well documented stubbornness revealed itself, as well as his great technical grasp of boxing. While Teddy was being honest with himself when he walked away from Moorer after the Vaughn Bean fight, he also walked away from a big payday, one that might have "taken him over the top." But more to the point, it would have taken his family over the top and it at least plants a seed of doubt as to the wisdom of Teddy's priorities.

While I could have done without the chapter devoted to Sammy "The Bull" Gravano (whose place in infamy is cemented), the chapters that deal with his relationship with Cus D'Amato in the Catskill and his interactions with a young Mike Tysonare particularly interesting..............and to his credit, the author avoids vilifying or demonizing Tyson the way some might have expected. The impression, and a correct one, is that this book is not about Tyson; it's about Teddy Atlas' "struggle" to become a man............but herein lies the rub. Teddy's rough early life on the streets was his doing and he has to be accountable for it. If helping young people find a better direction in their lives though boxing is an outgrowth of that early life, then he has indeed resolved that accountability.

The author is a pretty unforgiving, albeit emotional, chap and I sometimes wondered, as I read through the chapters, whether he really understood that life sometimes involves compromise and that sometimes winning the war means losing a few battles. On the other hand, who can argue with his successes and, as much of the narrative discloses, he achieved much personal gratification from wanting and meeting the challenge of getting somebody to become the best they can become or overcoming themselves to get to a spot where they can be effective. Indeed, describing his relationship with the late “Shamrock Express,” Chris Reid, is nothing short of poignant.

It's clear that Teddy has left a bridge for the next chapters in his life........and the hints as to where he might go next are intriguing to say the least, though it's also clear that he has fallen in love with being a color analyst and as he says, " I'll stand behind the microphone right now, where nobody can talk back, at least not too much!"

In sum, Teddy Atlas comes off in this book as a person who is very aggressive and opinionated, but also very honest and with great personal integrity. Whatever he says, he does not sugarcoat it and, above all, the fact he is acting in the best interests of both his fighters and boxing itself is manifest. More importantly, the book makes it crystal clear that he did it his way.

Bottom line, the book is well worth the price.

[jolz]

Teddy Atlas is addicted to emails...

[johnsebastianmiran]

He's pretty goo but right now he has his fingers in too many pots and he has the guts to say what is on his mind and whenever someone steps out against boxing Teddy is in his face and most of all he is always up on events. Yes he has made one or two bad calls but there's so much in boxing and you don't have the luxury of being perfect no matter what field you are in. I am glad he's not a surgeon because know he'll order a pastrami and rye with mustard during surgery and that's a very bad thing. He is always at some boxing charity event and although he's a little nuts I'll bet his heart is in the right place. It could be worse, he could become or be a Larry Merchant clone.

[holmcall]

He's pretty goo but right now he has his fingers in too many pots and he has the guts to say what is on his mind and whenever someone steps out against boxing Teddy is in his face and most of all he is always up on events. Yes he has made one or two bad calls but there's so much in boxing and you don't have the luxury of being perfect no matter what field you are in. I am glad he's not a surgeon because know he'll order a pastrami and rye with mustard during surgery and that's a very bad thing. He is always at some boxing charity event and although he's a little nuts I'll bet his heart is in the right place. It could be worse, he could become or be a Larry Merchant clone.

Ugh, that would be terrible!!!!!!!!!!