Teddy Atlas on who he thinks will win the super 6
Posted: 24 Aug 2009, 03:40
Interview with Teddy Atlas - Part Two: On Pacquiao, Cotto, Donaire, Mosley, Hopkins, P4P Best lists and tons more!
By David Tyler, Doghouse Boxing (Aug 22, 2009)
David Tyler – Teddy, what are your thoughts about the upcoming Super Middleweight Tournament sponsored by Showtime Boxing? (*Readers - Please note a link to part one can be found at the bottom of this Interview)
Teddy Atlas – You know a lot of this stuff I don’t get excited about. Most of it is just self serving bull crap because the promoters are hooked in with the network and they try to present it as good for boxing, good for the fan base and it’s not. Its snake oil salesmen, used car salesmen, giving you the same old sales pitch. We usually see it for what it is and the bottom line is that it usually comes out to be hollow, empty, and self-serving……NOT this time. This time I buy into it, it’s a good solid tournament, the guys they have in there are good fighters and they given us a reason to watch and care about this tournament. It’s good for boxing, it’s good for the fans and I really think it’s a solid tournament.
DT – Who do you like as the favorite in this tournament?
TA – I like the kid from Germany, Arthur Abraham. His style, his ability, his success so far, his confidence of not having been beaten, his maturity. his tough defense, and when he turns on the offense he is very accurate and obviously brings tons of power with that offense. It seems like he has a good steady temperament filled with confidence, he believes in himself. Ever heard the story about seeing a sword and you think it’s a good sword to take into battle. But has that sword been dipped into that hot metal. Into that fire, where it’s not going to crack in the middle of battle, has it been tested, has it been forged in those areas? David, that’s the key with anything in life, especially things where you are going to go forward with a real high degree. Has it been dipped into that fire? You get the feeling with Abraham that he has been through the fire. I think he is going to be a difficult guy for anyone he fights.
DT – Who do you pick for the finals in that tournament?
TA - Probably Mikkel Kessler from Denmark. I think there is a good or very good chance that Abraham and Kessler are in the finals. That would make for a very interesting match. It will be the more unconventional or different style offense against the more conventional style of Kessler. A guy like Abraham will pick select spots at the right times when he turns on the offense. Kessler may have the advantage of speed to get ahead but when Abraham finds his moments they will be bigger than the moments of Kessler. This will enable Abraham to make up quickly for the spots where Kessler was ahead of him. I find this interesting and the fight will be a fan favorite when and if it happens.
By David Tyler, Doghouse Boxing (Aug 22, 2009)
David Tyler – Teddy, what are your thoughts about the upcoming Super Middleweight Tournament sponsored by Showtime Boxing? (*Readers - Please note a link to part one can be found at the bottom of this Interview)
Teddy Atlas – You know a lot of this stuff I don’t get excited about. Most of it is just self serving bull crap because the promoters are hooked in with the network and they try to present it as good for boxing, good for the fan base and it’s not. Its snake oil salesmen, used car salesmen, giving you the same old sales pitch. We usually see it for what it is and the bottom line is that it usually comes out to be hollow, empty, and self-serving……NOT this time. This time I buy into it, it’s a good solid tournament, the guys they have in there are good fighters and they given us a reason to watch and care about this tournament. It’s good for boxing, it’s good for the fans and I really think it’s a solid tournament.
DT – Who do you like as the favorite in this tournament?
TA – I like the kid from Germany, Arthur Abraham. His style, his ability, his success so far, his confidence of not having been beaten, his maturity. his tough defense, and when he turns on the offense he is very accurate and obviously brings tons of power with that offense. It seems like he has a good steady temperament filled with confidence, he believes in himself. Ever heard the story about seeing a sword and you think it’s a good sword to take into battle. But has that sword been dipped into that hot metal. Into that fire, where it’s not going to crack in the middle of battle, has it been tested, has it been forged in those areas? David, that’s the key with anything in life, especially things where you are going to go forward with a real high degree. Has it been dipped into that fire? You get the feeling with Abraham that he has been through the fire. I think he is going to be a difficult guy for anyone he fights.
DT – Who do you pick for the finals in that tournament?
TA - Probably Mikkel Kessler from Denmark. I think there is a good or very good chance that Abraham and Kessler are in the finals. That would make for a very interesting match. It will be the more unconventional or different style offense against the more conventional style of Kessler. A guy like Abraham will pick select spots at the right times when he turns on the offense. Kessler may have the advantage of speed to get ahead but when Abraham finds his moments they will be bigger than the moments of Kessler. This will enable Abraham to make up quickly for the spots where Kessler was ahead of him. I find this interesting and the fight will be a fan favorite when and if it happens.