-
-
Interview was fascinating at times. I didn't know about Tyson hiding between walls as a kid. But given Atlas's cred, who knows if it's true. Tyson did win fights like Ruddock I where he took some bombs.
But re Tyson-Holyfield 2 fights, he has a point. And Tyson complaining about Holy's butting etc is sour g****s as Tyson was often a very dirty fighter. Plenty of head butts, forearms, elbows and trying to clamp down and dislocate opponent's shoulder including vs Holy in first fight. Holy gave it back. So re Holyfield, Atlas has a bit of a point.Comment
-
Why not? They are his own words...
Teddy Atlas From The Streets To The Ring: A Son's Struggle To Become A Man
By Teddy Atlas and Peter Alson
This is one of the better boxing books that I have read in quite a while. This is not just the story of a man’s journey through the boxing world, but of a man’s journey through life, that happens to take place in the world of boxing. You don’t have to be a fan of boxing to enjoy this book, but it probably helps to know the characters Atlas is writing about. Teddy Atlas was born into an established but ***********al family, headed by a father that was unable to give him (at least on the surface) the love and approval he needed.
Atlas wisely does not over dwell on his association with Mike Tyson, but gives a matter of fact and honest account of his time with Tyson, and with Cus D’Amato, his mentor and surrogate father. The most compelling areas of the book are when Atlas reveals his own dark side, particularly when describing how he was planning Donny Lalonde’s murder, which fortunately for both Atlas and Lalonde, never happened. Also intriguing is Atlas' take on the pychological aspect of boxing, which plays a large part in his coaching and method style.Comment
-
Atlas is telling half truths and making exaggerations, as always.
The Spinks win was an ATG performance, Spinks was considered P4P top 10 at that time.
The Ruddock wins were also great performances. Sure he wasn't on Holyfield or (later) Lewis' level, but he was just one step below. Prime Ruddock would be in today's top 5 easy with Joshua, Wilder, Fury and Ortiz.
He was absolutely sleepwalking in the Douglas fight and took a savage beating, but a lesser man would have folded much sooner and he still almost won the fight with a comeback KO. That Douglas would have beaten prime Holyfield that night, too. PLEASE do not compare those fights, the Douglas who showed up for his Holyfield fight would be like Foreman fighting today against Wilder.
Also, post-prison Tyson was no longer great but he was still very good and, as mentioned in this thread, unified the division. The Golota win was impressive (later changed to no contest but it was really a stoppage if you recall). He was actually handling Williams with ease until the knee blew out. We would have seen Vitali-Tyson if that didn't happen. Now, I do think Vitali would have beaten him at that point, but that was a way past-it Tyson, but he was still good enough to beat the fringe contenders of the early to mid aughts.Comment
-
What's atlas record? The guy needs to let it go. He always has something bad to day about the champ.Comment
Tweet
Comment