Teddy Atlas

Teddy Atlas joined ESPN in September 1998 to serve as ringside analyst for ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, the weekly series, which premiered October 3, 1998. He handles a similar role for ESPN Boxing Specials, and frequently contributes analysis to SportsCenter and ESPNEWS. Atlas has been a well-respected boxing trainer since 1976, including six years at the legendary Catskill Boxing Club of Cus D’Amato. Atlas is perhaps best known for serving as Mike Tyson’s trainer the first four years of his career and preparing him for the eventual world heavyweight championship. For his ringside commentary for ESPN in 2001, Atlas received the prestigious Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the Boxing Writers Association of America. Atlas has trained a plethora of pugilists, including: two-time world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer; world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan; world light heavyweight champion Donny LaLonde; world welterweight champion Simon Brown; and European welterweight champion Gary Jacobs. He’s also worked with two-time world champions Joey Gamache and Tracy Patterson. Additionally, in 1980 he trained the Swedish Olympic Team. His expertise has also been sought outside the ring. He trained actor William DeFoe for his role as a fighter in the film “Triumph of the Spirit,” in which also choreographed fight scenes and had a part. He also choreographed fight scenes for the TV series Against The Law and played a role in the HBO movie “Only in America,” (the Don King story). Prior to joining ESPN, Atlas served as ringside analyst for Showtime, ABC Wide World of Sports, and HBO radio broadcasts. Atlas, born July 29, 1956, is married with two children.