Interview with Teddy Atlas by Kimo Morrison

Like ringing the bell, Pavlov had the dog’s mouths watering as yours are I ‘m sure for more with boxing guru Teddy Atlas. After getting some feed back and hearing how badly the hardcore fans are reeling for more I have decided to “ring the bell”. Deciding not to put this in order of conversation I am going to give you Teddy’s picks for the weekend in detail along with my arguments for the contrary. I’ll throw in what he had to say about Joe Mesi and Roy Jones but to hear the rest you’ll have to keep drooling…

KM: Well Teddy, with you being on the forefront breaking the news about Joe Mesi, what do you think about the fact that Roy Jones refused to go to the hospital the nights just following the fight with Glen Johnson, and do you think that a fighter who refuses to go see a doctor should be banned in the same way that a fighter should with M.R.I’s and C.A.T scans that come back positive with subdural hematoma?

TA: Well that shouldn’t even be a question Kimo! That shouldn’t even be a question! Now look, these fighters are all men and as men they make decisions on their own, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be accountable for those actions, but someone has to be responsible for these men and I hope that the people in Nevada will take a good look at this situation.

(Teddy called me later to elaborate on this answer)

TA: Kimo I just wanted to add a couple things with this whole Jones thing…the Dr.’s down there in N.V. I’m sure will do the right thing , they are good Dr.’s and they know what they are doing. Dr. Goodman and Dr. Homansky. I just didn’t want you to think that they won’t take every step to take care of the fighters.

(back to earlier)

KM: What will happen with Joe Mesi and…

TA:cutting in-Kimo what happens with the Joe Mesi’s and the Roy Jones of boxing is why we need a National boxing commission! People are gonna say this and that but with out regulation of this sport it will be the fighters that lose in the long run with no one to watch out for their safety.

KM: I did a piece on how you verbally attacked the ref and a judge following the Emanuel Augustus match, and I am glad to see that you are willing to make a stand, but are you surprised at the lack of support that you have received, the backing form other colleagues in what seems to be the absolute untrained officiating happening in this state and others as well. These are men’s whole lives work being put on the line with judgment calls that could be made better by a

TA: cutting in-This type of stuff is corruption! Some people in the businuess don’t like that word or will try to call it something else but calling it anything but corruption is being naïve or just over looking the facts. This business is corrupt, and ultimately it is the fighters that lose. Once again we need to expose this type of corruption and a National boxing commission is the only way to start to bring to light what is happening here

KM: I agree

TA: You know it is the promoters and advisors in position to have the judges hand picked that make this business so corrupt, how can you have a promoter pick the judges and think that both fighters are gonna get a fair decision? Corruption is what is making this sport a cult sport. This sport is going in that direction you know…maybe it already is I don’t know! We need to bring this to light and this is why some of these guys don't want a commission, they don't want to be exposed,... they don't want these things to be brought to light! Corruption will be the downfall of boxing if it hasn't already fallen so far that we can't get the corruption out!

(skipping ahead in the conversation to the picks for the weekend)

KM: Just a few more things here Teddy I don’t want to keep you too much longer…

TA: No problem…

KM: first do you ever get to just enjoy a fight,… I mean just sit back watch a fight with some buddies, drink a beer and enjoy a fight without having to dice it up for the world to understand what it happening?

TA: Ha Ha , I …well you know I won’t be at the garden this weekend you know, I am just gonna stay at home with my family and watch the fight. To just stay at home with my family…

KM: I’ll get to this weekend’s fights in a minute, but when you are just watching a fight at home… who do YOU like to watch. What boxers really excite you to watch in the ring, who’s your favorite fighter?

TA:…….a long pause……..you know I just like to watch an honest fighter who gets in the ring and fights with …well take Glencoffe for example, he is an honest fighter and a good all around guy who really works hard and deservedly won a good fought bout with Roy Jones. I like Bernard Hopkins, um Winky Wright, these guys work hard, put honest work into the ring and it shows…Bernard Hopkins is a great fighter.

KM: Back to this weekends match up, you mind if I pick your brain about who your picks are for this week end with (listing the four big match ups)

TA: Lacy takes this fight pretty easy, Vanderpool has some miles but Lacy has…Lacy will get the job done in there.

Ouma should take this one, but let me tell you!!! If this kid doesn’t come in with 100% of what he has to offer Phillips will be on top. Don’t think for a second that Phillips doesn’t have what it takes and he is re-energized, re-focused, this kid Ouma well I have said from the beginning that this kid has what it takes to make it to the top but if he makes any mistakes even just one he is gonna be sorry that he didn’t come in prepared. Verno has already fought him once, and has a good feel and he is the veteran here. A more experienced guy with re-newed fire. I’ve also heard some things

KM: butting in : what things?

TA: that Ouma is coming in heavy for this one, there might be troubles in his camp, you got to take all these things into consideration Kimo, but I think Ouma will pull this one out.

TA:……………On to ……

KM: klitscho/Williamson

TA: you know Klit. Should have no problem with this one cause Williamson doesn’t have the size or the style that gives him problems the young Klit. brother, but what does give him problems is his head, It’s not that he couldn’t take Brewsters shots Kimo! He is weak! Weak in the head, weak in his heart! He has no drive! Maybe he can turn it around Kimo like his older brother, but if he doesn’t he won’t be around to much longer! But as far as DeVarrell Williamson goes he should move past him pretty easy.

KM: Okay, onto the big one! Who do you…

TA: This ones easy Kimo! Mayorga is a guy who doesn’t train, has no ethic he just doesn’t care and Tito is a guy that always comes in ready to fight and…

KM: cutting in…Whoa!…that is a big statement! Have you ever seen him get winded in a fight going 12 hard rounds?

TA: I don’t care! Trinidad is not gonna come out here and let some guy like Mayorga make him look bad,… he’s lazy, and he doesn’t take care of his body. Trinidads camp is prepared for this fight and he is ready, Tito will come out and this will be a KO for Trinidad…

KM: Oh man I can’t believe that you think that Tito will be ready for …

TA: He’ll be ready! He’s always ready and he’ll be ready for this guy. He works hard and he should end this one early

KM: I have to disagree but…I just will say that it has been a pleasure and an honor talking to you Teddy, to most guys this would be like interviewing Mike Tyson or something but to me you are an idol for the fans to look up to and I appreciate your time tonight…

There was TONS more said before and after this tid bit, I will put in the best parts of our conversation. This was far more than your average interview gentlemen, this was a chance to let one of the greatest minds in boxing just get to unload on his thoughts without interruption.(most of the time) He had lots to say in the hour + talks. Till the next bell rings!

The Unprofessionalguy