Successful trainer turned fight analyst Teddy Atlas has seen generations change in the sport of boxing, and has high praise for one man he believes could hold his own in any of them.
Following early work with Mike Tyson, Atlas’ crowning glory as a coach was guiding Michael Moorer to win a heavyweight world title in 1994. Since stepping back from the corner, he informs fans with his punditry thought his podcast and on various broadcasts.
One potential super fight that has fight fans talking is Terence Crawford moving up in weight to face undisputed 168lbs champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Despite Canelo’s dismissal of the fight, Crawford – who recently won scored undisputed status at 147 – has continued to call for it. With Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh now interested, it becomes a little more likely.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Atlas praised Crawford for seeking out the Mexican great.
“Very few people have the appetite or inclination for that [challenging themselves.] Mr Crawford, he does. And I ain’t never going against that guy. Father Time might catch him, but I don’t know if a weight class can catch him.
He knows exactly what he’s getting himself into, and why. He’s the one looking for it. He don’t got nobody behind him with a gun saying ‘you gotta go do this.’ He’s the one. It’s a tremendous challenge.”
Atlas went on to pay ‘Bud’ what he believes to be the ultimate boxing compliment – that he could compete and win in any era.
“I consider the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 80s the greatest eras of fighters, because they all fought each other. And they all could fight. That was the greatest era, and I don’t think too many fighters, modern day or any day, fight in to any era.
He would fit into any era. That’s the greatest compliment I can give Mr Crawford, who I have nothing but admiration for. He would fit in with any era, and not too many guys you could say that about.”
Crawford makes his move up to super-welterweight on August 3 to challenge for the WBA and WBO titles against undefeated Israil Madrimov. Not many fans believe that this will be his last foray into a new division.
