Povetkin & Atlas: Change coming?

[El Kabong]

I read that Teddy isn't happy with Povetkin and that he could walk out as trainer of the undefeated Russian. If Teddy does walk: #1 Who does Povetkin hire to replace him #2 Will it hurt or help #3 How big of a setback will this be for Povetkin and for Atlas(assuming Teddy still wants to train)?

[Cressa121]

Povetkin seems to be regressing, his level of competition lately has been pretty poor for a heavyweight contender. Fair enough if Atlas didn't think he was ready for a title fight, but he hasn't been taking on many people that could help prepare him for one. With him talking about fighting in the Olympics as well it makes me think he's losing his hunger as a pro, maybe his motivation is starting to wane? If that's the case I can see why Teddy would get frustrated and maybe walk out, he's a very demanding trainer.

I read his book a few years ago and he said he was beginning to get tired of training fighters for various reasons. I think if he walks out on Povetkin that could be it for him as a trainer, I'm not sure if he has any other fighters coming up? Povetkin's people are talking about going back to his old trainer, so that's they way he'd probably go. Atlas seems to be blaming Sauerland for this, here's an interview he did about the situation:

YouTube - Teddy Atlas nie zostawia suchej nitki na Sauerland Event!

Edit: I'm not sure how to embed the video, but the link's there

[MMASUX]

I think the biggest setback for Povetkin had to be Teddy telling him to back out of the fight wih Klitschko. Telling him he wasn't ready had to shake his confidence. Those chances don't come around often.

[killersheep]

It doesn't really matter who Povetkin takes in as a trainer in the near term. He doesn't have a fan base and passed up a chance at the title. What promoter is going take the risk on him? He's got a much longer road than he planned on to get another title shot.

I think he would do well with Buddy McGirt, because he would actually listen to McGirt.

[Mar]

I don't really know if what teddy did for povetkin was right or wrong yet. One thing we all know is that povetkin would have got his damn ass beat but would it have been worth it or not ? Like or dislike the guy i give props to atlas for constantly saying what's on his mind no matter how drawn out and over explained it is. This whole sport is full of jackers shady people and thievs that's why it cracks me up that only certain people in the sport are hated on for it.

[BoxingGorilla]

It doesn't really matter who Povetkin takes in as a trainer in the near term. He doesn't have a fan base and passed up a chance at the title. What promoter is going take the risk on him? He's got a much longer road than he planned on to get another title shot.

I think he would do well with Buddy McGirt, because he would actually listen to McGirt.

This is why I wouldn't have listened to Atlas and fought Klitschko anyway. Take the money and run.

[No Contest]

It doesn't really matter who Povetkin takes in as a trainer in the near term. He doesn't have a fan base and passed up a chance at the title. What promoter is going take the risk on him? He's got a much longer road than he planned on to get another title shot.

I think he would do well with Buddy McGirt, because he would actually listen to McGirt.

This is why I wouldn't have listened to Atlas and fought Klitschko anyway. Take the money and run.

Well the thing Atlas was bitching about was Sauerland was gonna take most of Povetkins purse, and he wouldnt have been able to "cash in" on fighting Klit. It would have been more of for rep and the title. So if he got destroyed by Klit he would have been tossed into the garbage pile and would have to work up again.

[Rantcatrat]

When Povetkin wants to fight Wlad, he'll be able to. It's not like there are a lot of challengers as good as Povetkin out there that Klitschko hasn't already beat. In fact, I can just name two: Adamek and Haye.

Teddy shouldn't have told the media his opinion, it's bad for the camp if he remains.

[El Kabong]

Having listened to the interview it seems that Teddy Atlas adds to my belief that the Sauerland group are a bunch of crooks.

It doesn't seem like Povetkin and Atlas have any personal beef just Atlas and Sauerland have beef....though Povetkin could be swayed by Sauerland's $$$ (not that they pay their fighters all that much).

Povetkin's career has really stalled out...like most everyone has said he's not fighting top competition or even trying to prepare for a title shot and it's a shame because at one time he showed great promise.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Tbh I think that Povetkin needs to retain Atlas as trainer. Not because of any exceptional abilities Mr. Atlas may or may not have, but because he Teddy may bring the consistency he so desperately needs.

Povetkin to my mind has been on a bumpy road without a GPS-
spells of inactivity, turning down title fights and chasing fights that were never likely to happen, which all contribute to his poor following.

I think he needs Teddy more for his experience on the business side and his ability to stabilise the fighter's environment more than anything else.

[TigerFan]

I'd like to see him go back to his old coach. But I believe his old coach is thinking about retiring after the Huck-Lebedev fight. Plus not sure how he'd take being replaced then brought back. Be interesting to hear his opinions on how Povetkin's looked under Atlas.

Probably be best if he got a Russian trainer. I know a lot of what Teddy has been saying was lost in translation. "why the hell is this guy talking about trains & dinner tables and shit"

[bradlee180]

No fighter ever stays with Teddy Atlas. Ever.

...and the dude can't do fight predictions to save his life.

Rule of thumb:
Whoever Atlas picks to win, then bet all your money on the other guy because Atlas just gave him his patented kiss of death...


...and why can't this guy pronounce fighters' names?
DEE la hoya.
HOLLY field.

[bradlee180]

Teddy Atlas insisting on pulling Povetkin out of the Wladimir fight was ludicrous.
A title shot is what a man works years for, and Atlas turned it down when it finally presented itself.
Povetkin ain't some developing spring-chicken, he's 31 years old!

Povetkin was scheduled to get his shot over 2 years ago, Dec 2008, but he had the Achilles injury.
He'd been Wladimir's mandatory challenger for 2½ years since the Chambers fight, for $#!t's sake!

If Povetkin still wasn't ready almost 2 years later, then when will this 31 year old man finally be ready?
He ought to have taken the money while it's there: over 2 million on the table is nothing to f*<k with for a contender in his 1st shot.
For many contenders, one shot is all they'll ever get, and what if he loses to some other contender for a lot less money now?

Nobody stays with Teddy Atlas either.

His style works if you're coaching troubled teenage boys that you can boss around as you bring them along; it don't work so well when an established fighter hires Teddy to coach him and the hired help(Teddy) starts treating the man who signs the checks like he's a damn kid.

Thumbs down to Teddy Atlas.

[Rantcatrat]

Teddy Atlas insisting on pulling Povetkin out of the Wladimir fight was ludicrous.
A title shot is what a man works years for, and Atlas turned it down when it finally presented itself.
Povetkin ain't some developing spring-chicken, he's 31 years old!

Povetkin was scheduled to get his shot over 2 years ago, Dec 2008, but he had the Achilles injury.
He'd been Wladimir's mandatory challenger for 2½ years since the Chambers fight, for $#!t's sake!

If Povetkin still wasn't ready almost 2 years later, then when will this 31 year old man finally be ready?
He ought to have taken the money while it's there: over 2 million on the table is nothing to f*<k with for a contender in his 1st shot.
For many contenders, one shot is all they'll ever get, and what if he loses to some other contender for a lot less money now?

Nobody stays with Teddy Atlas either.

His style works if you're coaching troubled teenage boys that you can boss around as you bring them along; it don't work so well when an established fighter hires Teddy to coach him and the hired help(Teddy) starts treating the man who signs the checks like he's a damn kid.

Thumbs down to Teddy Atlas.

Not sure if you read my above post, but currently there aren't many viable challengers out there for Wlad, (he's resorted to fight 13-0 Derek Chisora that should be evidence enough) so, it doesn't really matter if Povetkin didn't take take the first title shot because as long as Wlad is champion, and Povetkin doesn't lose, Povetkin will have the opportunity to fight him. This is unique to the heavyweight division right now. In fact, I can't think of another division so sorely lacking in legit challengers. The money won't change. Therefore, I don't blame Teddy Atlas for advising Povetkin not to take the title fight until Teddy Atlas believes he's ready and it's not like Povetkin is being put in with risky opponents. Teddy wants to see Povetkin active and he wants to fine-tune his skills before putting him in their with Wlad. Seeing how dominant Wlad has been recently, I don't really blame Teddy for wanting to give his charge the best possible chance at winning. As you said, once he gets the chance, he may never get it again. If this were any other division, with any other champion, I would probably agree with you that Povetkiin should take any title shot opportunity that he receives.

[badr_hari]

Povetkin progressed with Atlas, in terms of skill. Everybody that knows boxing and has seen Povetkin's fights before and after Atlas, knows this. Don't see the Firtha fight, he literally fought with one hand in this fight. All he needs to do is stay with Atlas, fight 2 top10 opponents before a Klitschko clash and get a strength-conditioning coach to get in better shape.