Every Friday night, whether or not they consist of plans which include going out or entertaining friends and family, I must watch the best show on television: Friday Night Fights. If that means recording the beloved ESPN program or breaking an engagement just to view it, I must get my weekly fix of Joe and Teddy. As boxing fans, we collectively have been watching Teddy Atlas on television for at least ten years, and for my money, there is no one better at color commentary than the Staten Island native. He has true passion for the sport and is a credit to the fight game. Teddy’s fight analysis is second to none and his enthusiasm is truly infectious.But, one factor of Teddy’s character has continued to perplex a legion of boxing fans. Countless boxing die-hards have scratched their heads in amazement wondering, “How can a person this knowledgeable continue to be so wrong about the outcome of these fights?”
Teddy Atlas’s ring advice is genius, and his way of relaying that valuable boxing knowledge is brilliant:
“If you want to slow a speedy fighter down, go to the body and take some of the air out of the tires.”
“It looks like he’s found a home for that right hand.” “Of course, to get home he had to walk through a bad neighborhood!!”
“If he’s willing to take his opponent to a place he’s never been, to go through deep waters, he could get the W.”
“He needs that jab to set the table for the main course, which in this case would be that right uppercut.”
“He’s not turning his opponent; he’s letting him walk right through the front door. He can’t let him walk in and sit down; he needs to put his hands up.”
The boxing knowledge of Teddy Atlas never ceases to amaze or entertain the collective boxing universe.
Last night, Teddy Atlas gave us his traditional “pre-fight” analysis of the much anticipated “Nonito Donaire versus Fernando Montiel” bout on HBO, which airs tonight at 9:45 EST. His breakdown of what should happen was spot on. He outlined, in a very specific way, what each fighter needed to do in order to be victorious on Saturday night. After he was finished explaining and defining the strategies for the scheduled bout, it was time…time for the dreaded “Atlas Fight Prediction”, or better known as the “Teddy Atlas Curse”.
Who would he choose? He had to choose Donaire, right? I mean, Nonito had looked unbeatable as of late…no way would he choose Montiel, right? But wait…Fernando Montiel was a natural Bantamweight who was used to beating his opponents down at 118. Donaire has never fought a puncher who is this crafty and athletic. Who? Who would Teddy pick on this night?!!
Donaire? Oh no, Donaire fans…he chose Nonito on this episode of FNF. Well, all isn’t lost…he has been right on occasion…hasn’t he?
Wait a minute how many fight predictions has Teddy Atlas chosen incorrectly? How bad can he be?
Teddy picked Margarito over Pacquiao…Cotto over Margo…Goldie over Mayweather …Mosley over Cotto…Austin over Wlad K…Thompson over Klitschko…Byrd over Wlad K, really?…Mayorga over DLH, no way!!…Kessler over Calzaghe…Margo over Mosley, a lot of us did…Taylor over Pavlik …Pavlik over Hopkins…Jones Jr over Calzaghe, he didn’t!!...oh yes…wait, it gets better…Zab Judah over Mayweather and Miguel Cotto…Kermit Cintron over Antonio Margarito…Marco Antonio Barrera over Manny Pacquiao…twice…“the Baby Bull” over JMM…and “Barney Rubble” over “The Steel Hammer”.
Wow, no boxing expert can be wrong this often, can they?
Exactly…hence, the “Teddy Curse”!! He has to be cursing these fighters somehow…does he have some sort of deep, hidden fascination with the dark arts? Does he construct a voodoo doll before the big fight?
The world may never find out the truth, but until then…Teddy, keep on doing what you do. The boxing universe loves every second of it!!
Source: eastsideboxing.com
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