Teddy Atlas names the best fighter he has trained after working with multiple world champions
Teddy Atlas has worked with several elite Operators, often preparing them for the toughest battles, but only one of them is considered the best he has ever trained.
The trajectory of his rise through the ranks is widely documented, with the iconic coach beginning his apprenticeship under the legendary tutelage of Cus D’Amato.
From there, Atlas quickly became acquainted with a young Mike Tyson, who then continued his destructive streak under the leadership of Kevin Rooney, another disciple of D’Amato, after the death of his longtime mentor.
Before that, however, Atlas had been heavily involved in the early development of “Iron Mike”, before establishing himself as an esteemed trainer in his own right.
Arguably his greatest achievement came when Michael Moorer, who had previously campaigned at 175 pounds, won the world heavyweight title with a victory over Evander Holyfield in 1994.
Alongside Moorer, Atlas also trained Barry McGuigan and Timothy Bradley, who enlisted the services of the American trainer for the final two fights of his decorated career.
In both outings, Bradley was well past his best, but nonetheless stopped Brandon Rios in the ninth round, before losing his lucrative trilogy showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
But while Bradley and Moorer were certainly among the best he coached, Atlas previously revealed in an interview with Ring Magazine that Wilfred Benitez was almost in a class of his own.
“Sometimes you go to the Oscars and one movie wins all the awards. What are you going to do? It would be Benitez.
“Anyone who could beat Roberto Duran, among so many other great fighters, that’s a pretty good resume. I would say Benitez overall was the package. He was a special fighter.”
Atlas worked with Benitez for a relatively short period of his career, which saw the former two-weight world champion take on Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.
Benitez became the youngest world champion in history at age 17 and won titles in three weight divisions, renowned for his exceptional defensive skills and ring intelligence.
