Teddy Atlas is a former trainer turned analyst who has worked with some of the best men in the sport, including Mike Tyson.
Because of his work in the sport, New Yorker Atlas has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, though he also saw success himself in the ring by winning the 1976 Adirondack Golden Gloves title, though injury forced him to retire soon after.
Atlas was taught by one of the most legendary trainers in the game, the late Cus D’Amato, and the pair were both in the corner of a teenage Tyson in the early stages of his career.
Speaking to the Ring Magazine, Atlas didn’t name Tyson as the best he’s trained, and instead said it was Wilfred Benitez.
“The youngest fighter to ever win a world title. That record will never be eclipsed. When you think about the enormity of it, it’s mind-boggling. He won a world title when he was 17 years old. What do kids do at 17? They’re not winning world titles against great fighters like Antonio Cervantes.”
He then explained how he came to work with American-Puerto Rican who eventually won three world titles in different divisions – super lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight.
“Wilfred Benitez was brought to Cus and he gave him to me to train for the Carlos Palomino fight when he won the welterweight world title. When I trained Benitez, it was because I was with Cus and he had confidence in me. [He] was definitely the most complete package and most gifted guy I had worked with but it had been developed.”
Atlas also worked with world champions such as Tim Bradley, Shannon Briggs, Barry McGuigan and Michael Moorer and is now well known for his straight-talking views about the current boxing landscape.
