Theodore A. Atlas, Jr. (b. 29 July 1956, in Staten Island, New York) is a well-known boxing trainer and fight commentator. Teddy Atlas trained as a boxer with Hall of Fame trainer Cus D'Amato, winning the 1976 Adirondack Golden Gloves, but when he suffered a back injury in a fight, he quit fighting and was made a trainer by D'Amato. In 1982, Atlas held a gun to the head of D'Amato's protege, the 16 year old Mike Tyson, after Tyson had allegedly groped Atlas' 11-year-old sister-in-law.[1] Consequently, Atlas split with Tyson and D'Amato. Atlas enjoyed his greatest professional success as a head trainer with Michael Moorer. He also drew criticism for what some considered to be overdramatic speeches in the ring corner, particularly during Moorer's Heavyweight title fight with Evander Holyfield, and some felt he did these antics to draw attention to himself rather than help his fighter. Atlas has denied this,[2] stating that he did what he believed the fighter needed based on his understanding of the fighter. He also trained Featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan and Light Heavyweight world champion Donny LaLonde. In 1997, he founded the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation to honor the memory of his late father. The Foundation awards scholarships and grants to individuals and organizations. Atlas worked as boxing commentator for NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). Atlas published his autobiography, Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring: A Son's Struggle to Become a Man in 2006. The book covers many different periods of Atlas's life, and compares his position as trainer to a role as a father. Atlas currently serves as commentator on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights and Wednesday Night Fights.
Trivia
Atlas is a fan of the New York Jets, as seen on the broadcast of ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" the day before the Jets AFC Wild-Card playoff game against the rival New England Patriots, which was won by the Patriots. He wore a Jets shirt on a part of the show. Atlas was hired in 2007 by the New York Jets, and currently uses boxing in training players from the Jets franchise.
References
- ^ Newfield, Jack., Shadow Boxing, New York Magazine, 2002-02-04, Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
- ^ Newman, Sean., Ringside Report Interviews Teddy Atlas, Ringsidereport.com, 2004-07-24, Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
