"We're Firemen"

[koolkc107]

Gotta admit that when I was watching the fight live, and heard Teddy whip out this speech
that could have come straight from Rocky XX, I burst out laughing.

It was pretty much unnecessary, as Bradley was firmly in control AND the instructions Atlas had
given just prior to his soliloquy were more than adequate.

But Teddy is Teddy, the camera is the camera, and both were very much aware of the other.

So we got this. (Sorry, only clip I could find- and besides, the added effects are no more over the
top than the original unedited speech was)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGtEnG3rVY

Now, at the time I dismissed it as Atlas grabbing his little piece of the spotlight, doing a little
not so subtle victory lap as it was clear his guy was going to win and he was going to get some credit.

But after thinking on it a bit, I came up with something else.

What, exactly, was so wrong with what Teddy Atlas did?

If you are a real boxing fan, you see it as the BS it is and laugh because you know Teddy is playing hype-man.
You are in on the joke and therefore enjoy it.

If you are a casual fan unfamiliar with Atlas, you get an added piece of drama...and therefore you enjoy it.

I'm betting that more than one person who may have been watching one of the few fights they watch each year
liked that little bit Teddy threw in a whole lot...and just might tune into more fights because of it.

Bottomline, I don't have much problem with what he did.
In the final analysis, boxing is also entertainment.

And I tip my hat to Atlas for finding a way to make a pretty one-sided fight more engaging.

[caldo2025]

The bottom line is that it worked for his boxer so i'm sure he hardly cares what you or i think about his tactics in the corner.

TB started to show some fatigue and Atlas used this speech to get him over that hump that they obviously talked about prior and was a focal point in training camp. It not only got them over that hump but got him a knockout over a guy most thought was impossible to knock out. But Rios clearly wasn't Rios. I still dont' think that we should knock Bradley for that though.

[Gregk]

I've met Teddy, albeit briefly.

Until we met my opinion of him was neutral; he generally spoke the truth, but his obnoxiously loud rants diluted his argument.

After we met I became much more appreciative of Teddy's candor. He does not mug for the camera nor play a character on TV. That's the way he is, what you see on Friday Night Fights and what you saw in Tim's corner is what you get outside the ring. No wonder he got the job as an commentator/analyst!

[The Insider]

I wonder how many times he rehearsed that in the mirror. Could understand it if Tim was in trouble and needed the motivation but he wasn't and didn't. Ambulance personnel and then Police to feature in his next 2 pep talks??????

[Tony1244]

Teddy is a little crazy, but we knew that. Bottom line is Tim Bradley was more entertaining and aggressive than I've ever seen him.

[tiny_acres]

Hey it worked so who am I to make fun of the guy.
I hope that Atlas has revived Bradley's career.He is very talented.

[reggaereggae]

Teddy is a d1ckhead and a fraud. He's about as real as his fake story about how he got his sled made scar.

I remember I think it was Michael Moorer and Teddy was saying 'hey I got your daughter on the phone! She wants to know why Daddy doesn't want to be heavyweight champion!'

What a tool. If my trainer said something as silly as that is either want to lose to spite him or chin my trainer

[Tony1244]

Teddy is certainly an interesting guy but he does tend to embellish and he loves drama. I see him as a better announcer than a trainer. As an announcer, he's quite interesting. I enjoy his analogies and talks of fighters trying to find their identity. As a trainer, he is too volatile. I don't see how saying i have your son or daughter on the phone during a fight could possibly relax a fighter. As a student of Cus D'Amato, Teddy should know that tension tires you.

[reggaereggae]

Teddy is certainly an interesting guy but he does tend to embellish and he loves drama. I see him as a better announcer than a trainer. As an announcer, he's quite interesting. I enjoy his analogies and talks of fighters trying to find their identity. As a trainer, he is too volatile. I don't see how saying i have your son or daughter on the phone during a fight could possibly relax a fighter. As a student of Cus D'Amato, Teddy should know that tension tires you.

Teddy is a guy who has built his entire reputation on being Mike Tyson's amateur trainer. Without Tyson's success, Atlas would be unheard of. He was a low level trainer, a failed amateur boxer, a fantasist and fraud. His 'how I got my scar story has more holes than swiss cheese. He is a privileged guy who wanted to invent a street personality and hung out with a boxing crew that probably felt sorry for him. Then, when Tyson made it, his name became important thorough association..... Luck basically.

[Tony1244]

Teddy is certainly an interesting guy but he does tend to embellish and he loves drama. I see him as a better announcer than a trainer. As an announcer, he's quite interesting. I enjoy his analogies and talks of fighters trying to find their identity. As a trainer, he is too volatile. I don't see how saying i have your son or daughter on the phone during a fight could possibly relax a fighter. As a student of Cus D'Amato, Teddy should know that tension tires you.

Teddy is a guy who has built his entire reputation on being Mike Tyson's amateur trainer. Without Tyson's success, Atlas would be unheard of. He was a low level trainer, a failed amateur boxer, a fantasist and fraud. His 'how I got my scar story has more holes than swiss cheese. He is a privileged guy who wanted to invent a street personality and hung out with a boxing crew that probably felt sorry for him. Then, when Tyson made it, his name became important thorough association..... Luck basically.

I read his book and if I remember correctly, I probably don't, he got his scar in a street fight but wasn't he vague about it? His big breaks were certainly Tyson and his friendship with Cus.

[reggaereggae]

Teddy is certainly an interesting guy but he does tend to embellish and he loves drama. I see him as a better announcer than a trainer. As an announcer, he's quite interesting. I enjoy his analogies and talks of fighters trying to find their identity. As a trainer, he is too volatile. I don't see how saying i have your son or daughter on the phone during a fight could possibly relax a fighter. As a student of Cus D'Amato, Teddy should know that tension tires you.

Teddy is a guy who has built his entire reputation on being Mike Tyson's amateur trainer. Without Tyson's success, Atlas would be unheard of. He was a low level trainer, a failed amateur boxer, a fantasist and fraud. His 'how I got my scar story has more holes than swiss cheese. He is a privileged guy who wanted to invent a street personality and hung out with a boxing crew that probably felt sorry for him. Then, when Tyson made it, his name became important thorough association..... Luck basically.

I read his book and if I remember correctly, I probably don't, he got his scar in a street fight but wasn't he vague about it? His big breaks were certainly Tyson and his friendship with Cus.

His 'scar' story was laughable. He got in a fight (apparently) with 5 guys. His friend ran off leaving only Teddy to deal with the 5 aggressors. Teddy apparently chinned 2 of them (yeah right, I've seen him shape up and he's awful) and then a 'coward' apparently steps up and slashed his face with the longest scar ever seen in such an event. I mean really? Five guys didn't manage to drag you to the floor and kick the sh1t out of you? You knocked out two and then, apparently, some guy managed to slash your face completely straight scar; away from eyes, nose etc only in benign places. you didn't flinch while they were cutting you? What BS that scar is ridiculously long for a street slashing. You would have to hold someone down whilst you made that injury. He did it himself, Kevin Rooney says the same.
Atlas's history of wanting to be a tough guy though he is privileged backs this up. Loads of lies on his narrative, like going to Lalonde's house with a gun to shoot him. Yeah right. The man is an attention seeking fool who is lucky that he was tysons trainer for a bit so that brought him kudos. Without Tyson, Atlas is a pathetic fake tough guy, sitting in a bar in Boston, talking about how tough he is.... FRAUD

[sucracristo]

that speech was melodrama but not harmful.
sometimes it seems like atlas has bad intentions toward his own fighters
and i imagine bradley will pull the trigger the 2nd evil teddy shows up.

[reggaereggae]

that speech was melodrama but not harmful.
sometimes it seems like atlas has bad intentions toward his own fighters
and i imagine bradley will pull the trigger the 2nd evil teddy shows up.

Experienced fighters just have a trainer as a pad holder. Atlas can't teach Bradley sh1t. Atlas is possibly the most fortunate guy in boxing

[Tony1244]

Teddy is a guy who has built his entire reputation on being Mike Tyson's amateur trainer. Without Tyson's success, Atlas would be unheard of. He was a low level trainer, a failed amateur boxer, a fantasist and fraud. His 'how I got my scar story has more holes than swiss cheese. He is a privileged guy who wanted to invent a street personality and hung out with a boxing crew that probably felt sorry for him. Then, when Tyson made it, his name became important thorough association..... Luck basically.[/quote]


I read his book and if I remember correctly, I probably don't, he got his scar in a street fight but wasn't he vague about it? His big breaks were certainly Tyson and his friendship with Cus.[/quote]

His 'scar' story was laughable. He got in a fight (apparently) with 5 guys. His friend ran off leaving only Teddy to deal with the 5 aggressors. Teddy apparently chinned 2 of them (yeah right, I've seen him shape up and he's awful) and then a 'coward' apparently steps up and slashed his face with the longest scar ever seen in such an event. I mean really? Five guys didn't manage to drag you to the floor and kick the sh1t out of you? You knocked out two and then, apparently, some guy managed to slash your face completely straight scar; away from eyes, nose etc only in benign places. you didn't flinch while they were cutting you? What BS that scar is ridiculously long for a street slashing. You would have to hold someone down whilst you made that injury. He did it himself, Kevin Rooney says the same.
Atlas's history of wanting to be a tough guy though he is privileged backs this up. Loads of lies on his narrative, like going to Lalonde's house with a gun to shoot him. Yeah right. The man is an attention seeking fool who is lucky that he was tysons trainer for a bit so that brought him kudos. Without Tyson, Atlas is a pathetic fake tough guy, sitting in a bar in Boston, talking about how tough he is.... FRAUD[/quote]


I certainly don't believe he knocked the 2 guys out part. But doing it himself? That sounds kinda weird. But then we have a guy running for president who swears to God he tried to hit his Mother with a hammer and he tried to stab his friend, so there are weird people out there.

[reggaereggae]

I certainly don't believe he knocked the 2 guys out part. But doing it himself? That sounds kinda weird. But then we have a guy running for president who swears to God he tried to hit his Mother with a hammer and he tried to stab his friend, so there are weird people out there.

Well Rooney suggests it was fake and the evidence is strong - that scar is 10 inches long. If someone slashes you in the face it is impossible as the victim will flinch back when he feels pain. There are plenty of guys I see with genuine face slashes and they a re rarely as long or as straight. One would have to hold the face in place. But according to Teddy it's all part of a wild street fight in which he ko'd 2 guys, his pal ran off, and he got slashes. Not impossible but exceptionally unlikely. The scar is so straight and avoids all dangerous areas including eyes, nose, mouth and neck. I call bullsh1t. It's too perfect a story and scar. And given his other bullsh1ts, and his willingness to be a tough guy, makes it highly unlikely.

This is an upper middle class guy who's desperate to be know as a tough guy and this story fits the narrative perfectly

[Tony1244]

Come to think of it, and I admit I haven't given it much thought until now, if the scar is legit, it had to have been done to him when he was unconscious. I'm not disagreeing with you, I think it's quite possible it was self inflicted, not sure why Atlas thinks getting cut makes someone tough. Anyone can get cut by someone. It tough luck but not tough, IMO anyway.

[amwsnw]

Teddy is teddy. Bloody hell, everyone should expect at least one of those rants per fight by now. I like the guy. I think he is good for boxing and more importantly he appears to be a good fit for Tim at the moment.

[turn2stone]

I thought Bradley was getting a little raggedy at the time of the speech. It definitely would not be out of character for him to get clipped on the way out of an exchange he was getting the better of. You can definitely tell Bradley is listening, and that's good. Teddy's job is both teacher and cheerleader. He did both jobs well. He's the type of guy I'd want coming in behind me if I needed back up.

[jewboypgh]

it was corny as hell......but I love Atlas.
he's a great coach. he doesn't put up with no BS.
I seen that fight at my neighbors and Bradley looked good.
Vasquez Jr., Spence, and Thurman steamroll Rios and Bradley.

[DrunkenBoxer]

To think Teddy Atlas doesn't know boxing and isn't a great trainer is a ridiculous notion.

[caldo2025]

I love the argument "Without training Tyson, Atlas would be nothing". Oh you mean, if he didn't train quite possibly the best heavyweight boxer the sport has ever seen? So if we remove that small little blip on his career? I don't like calling people dumb because i'm not very smart but those comments really make me want to.

Who gives an F where his scar came from. Obviously Rooney is going to besmirch him, they were competing for recognition in Tyson's career. Atlas is a genuine boxing keepsake that i'm happy has a spot in a great fighters corner again. Bradley looked fantastic and i'm not sure if Atlas had anything to do with that but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Tony1244]

I love the argument "Without training Tyson, Atlas would be nothing". Oh you mean, if he didn't train quite possibly the best heavyweight boxer the sport has ever seen? So if we remove that small little blip on his career? I don't like calling people dumb because i'm not very smart but those comments really make me want to.

Who gives an F where his scar came from. Obviously Rooney is going to besmirch him, they were competing for recognition in Tyson's career. Atlas is a genuine boxing keepsake that i'm happy has a spot in a great fighters corner again. Bradley looked fantastic and i'm not sure if Atlas had anything to do with that but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I agree more than I disagree with this. I do think Atlas has limited himself as a trainer by being overbearing. As a boxing aficionado and good announcer no one can take that away from him.

Regarding, "Without training Tyson, Atlas would be nothing," in every field whether its boxing, business, or politics, a successful person usually had a teacher or ran into some very good luck. Bill Clinton had Senator Fullbright, Nixon had Eisenhower. IKE had some General who pushed him up the ranks, I think you get the point.

[caldo2025]

I agree more than I disagree with this. I do think Atlas has limited himself as a trainer by being overbearing. As a boxing aficionado and good announcer no one can take that away from him.

Regarding, "Without training Tyson, Atlas would be nothing," in every field whether its boxing, business, or politics, a successful person usually had a teacher or ran into some very good luck. Bill Clinton had Senator Fullbright, Nixon had Eisenhower. IKE had some General who pushed him up the ranks, I think you get the point.

Well, I'm not saying that Atlas is the reason Tyson was the great he was. Obviously Cus D'Amato was the main reason we are talking about either of those guys but I just find the "but if this didn't happen" the lowest form of communication. It's like creating your own narrative instead of basing on facts to prove one's opinion to be correct.

What if Buckner didn't let the ball go through his legs? What if they Giant's receiver didn't catch the ball off his helmet in the Super Bowl? What if Tyson didn't bite Holyfields ears off? Teddy was the trainer for, arguably, the best boxer the planet has ever seen. That happened and Atlas, as annoying as I find him to be, deserves all the credit he wants from that.

[Counter-puncher]

Well, I'm not saying that Atlas is the reason Tyson was the great he was. Obviously Cus D'Amato was the main reason we are talking about either of those guys but I just find the "but if this didn't happen" the lowest form of communication. It's like creating your own narrative instead of basing on facts to prove one's opinion to be correct.

What if Buckner didn't let the ball go through his legs? What if they Giant's receiver didn't catch the ball off his helmet in the Super Bowl? What if Tyson didn't bite Holyfields ears off? Teddy was the trainer for, arguably, the best boxer the planet has ever seen. That happened and Atlas, as annoying as I find him to be, deserves all the credit he wants from that.

very, very, veryarguably....

[caldo2025]

Well, I'm not saying that Atlas is the reason Tyson was the great he was. Obviously Cus D'Amato was the main reason we are talking about either of those guys but I just find the "but if this didn't happen" the lowest form of communication. It's like creating your own narrative instead of basing on facts to prove one's opinion to be correct.

What if Buckner didn't let the ball go through his legs? What if they Giant's receiver didn't catch the ball off his helmet in the Super Bowl? What if Tyson didn't bite Holyfields ears off? Teddy was the trainer for, arguably, the best boxer the planet has ever seen. That happened and Atlas, as annoying as I find him to be, deserves all the credit he wants from that.

very, very, veryarguably....

I'm sorry. Very, Very Very Arguably. Thanks