“He Gave Me More Than Money”: Teddy Atlas Reveals How Cus D’Amato Inspired Him to Be a Better Trainer

Money has not been the sole incentive for Teddy Atlas. In a recent interview, the 67-year-old recalls the moment Cus D’Amato, Mike Tyson‘s trainer, got him over at his gym to be a trainer. At the time, Atlas wanted to turn professional and be a boxer himself. However, D’Amato won him over by convincing him to become a trainer and Atlas remains grateful for the same.

But you might wonder, as to if not money, what would make Atlas agree to his request? In the interview, he answers it all, from his training experience and the incentive behind it. Find out all about it.

Teddy Atlas discovered his sense of purpose

While speaking to Lex Fridman, An American computer scientist and podcast host, Atlas reveals that D’Amato made him teach the ‘Sweet Science,’ to young students. At times even eight-year old ones. Moreover, he unveils that the majority of the time he was the one teaching the students and D’Amato would make an appearance only once a week. Yet, he was keen to teach, despite not compressing him financially, because he used to encourage him and give him a sense of purpose. Reflecting on the same, Atlas stated, “I could have made a lot of money with that. I was on my knees with these little kids- 9 years old, 10 years old, 8 years old. All these kids and I are teaching and Cus only comes once a week. He couldn’t give me money but he gave me more than money. He gave me praise. Look what he is doing— he is creating champions. I said wow. I’m doing good.”

It is safe to say that Teddy Atlas was influenced by D’Amato and wanted to be in his good books. However, it bears a mention that their relationship came to a sour halt. Why did that happen? Let’s find that out.

Atlas had a falling out with D’Amato due to this Heavyweight

Tyson, in many ways, was a prodigy of D’Amato and he wanted to keep him safe at all times. Subsequently, ‘Iron Mike’ had irked Atlas after he allegedly sexually harassed his family member which even led to Atlas pointing a gun to his head. Witnessing this, D’Amato asked Atlas, despite his contribution to his gym to leave and made a

lucrative offer of 5% of Tyson’s earnings from his boxing career.

In the same interview, Atlas states, “

[He] wants [me] to disappear basically, you leave, and he will give you 5%…He will give you 5% of Tyson’s earnings for the rest of his career.”Read more: “You Got Me Crying in This Motherf**Ker”: Teary-Eyed Mike Tyson Reveals the Moment He Wish His Father-Figure Cus D’Amato Was Alive to Witness

Their falling out is quite unfortunate, to say the least. However, with the above revelations, we ask you, what do you make of Teddy Atlas as a trainer? In addition, did D’Amato do the right thing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.

Watch This Story: Watch: Mike Tyson Gets Emotional While John Fury Makes a “Sorry” Confession About Late Cus D’Amato