Famed boxing trainer, commentator and fight analyst, Teddy Atlas, has revealed his ill-treatment when discussing a deal to become Francis Ngannou’s trainer for his upcoming showdown with Tyson Fury.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has always spoken highly of Atlas and his team reached out to the veteran coach to discuss the opportunity of training the Cameroonian for his scheduled crossover bout against the current WBC champion.
However, in an episode of this ‘The Fight‘ podcast, Atlas has admitted his disheartenment after Ngannou’s team opted to choose Mike Tyson instead, without any indication that they were in talks with the two-time heavyweight king.
“I’m not going to train somebody unless I want to be around them, I think they’re a good person, I think they’re coachable, and that I think I can help them. So, obviously my way, I’m going to spend a couple days with you, that’s the deal, and it’s going to be a trial period. I’m not going to say yes or no until I go through the trial period and see if I want to work with you.
They call me back and say, ‘Let’s get the dates that you can come out, we’ll get back to you.’ The next day, my son sends me a thing announcing that they’re getting Mike Tyson to train him.
I’m sure it’s going to bring in some extra pay-per-view buys at the very least.
Those traits, just decency, just honesty, just being upfront, don’t ask me about coming out when you know you made a deal with somebody already. Then it feels like you’re just bringing me out to pick my brain knowing you’re already going another direction.
Why not be upfront with me? Just don’t feel good. it just doesn’t feel good. I’m not crying, but I guess what I’m saying is, can’t we be better as people?”
Ngannou will take on Fury, with ‘Iron Mike’ in his corner in the high-profile spectacle on October 26th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
