“I Believe That Crawford Has the Ability to Hurt Spence”: Legendary Trainer Teddy Atlas Shares His Views on the Undisputed Championship Fight in Welterweight

Indeed, there isn’t any speck of space left in the boxing universe not affected by the big fight tonight. From legends who ruled the roost in the past to present-day pundits, a plethora of who’s who have embraced the excitement surrounding the Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. fight. Talking about legends, trainer Teddy Atlas has helped many famous boxers uplift their career. So given his vast knowledge, he crystal balled the fight. Undoubtedly, it’s the cherry on top. A die-hard fan would choose to ignore it at his peril.

On YouTube, he runs a top-rated boxing-based podcast titled eponymously, ‘The Fight with Teddy Atlas.’ With nearly three hundred thousand subscribers, he has uploaded over seven hundred and sixty videos till now. The latest episode premiered yesterday, and over fifty thousand have already seen it. The week ends with probably the biggest fight of the year. So Atlas and co-host Ken Rideout spoke at length about the fighter plan and his hunch on the possible winner.

A look into the Crawford-Spence Jr. fight à la Teddy Atlas style

The duo got down to business at the Trinity Boxing Club in Lower Manhattan with the first poser on what Spence Jr. needed to do to stop Crawford. Atlas’s simple advice was to go for the body. Additionally, he needed to discern the Nebraska native’s tendencies, such as his counter-punches. A few minutes later, they switched over the tables, discussing the fight from Crawford’s perspective. Calling ‘Bud’ the ‘greatest improviser in the sport,’ Atlas appreciated the boxer’s instincts.

Teddy Atlas said, “…I said it already, through this piece where he’s got instincts that are just beyond the realm…..at the end of the day, he’s one of the things that I haven’t said yet. He’s a junkyard dog…” Rideout added, “I was gonna say he’s got a mean streak in him.” Atlas said keeping all things equal (the mean streak) may be the deciding factor in this battle, as Crawford possesses it. Thus the former confirmed going with the Omaha, Nebraska-born southpaw.

Teddy Atlas understands that the fight might go the full distance. However, bearing the possibility in mind, one has to be cognizant while putting money on the bout. He said, “..but with that line and you can’t just bet the bet. You got to bet with some intellect behind it, with some belief that there’s a reason to bet. I’m gonna take the line. I’m gonna take some money; on the under not just because the money’s there, probably because it’s, but because I believe that Crawford has the ability to hurt Spence before the night’s over…“

The ace trainer postulated that it could be either an inside punch, as he demonstrated, or an uppercut. But Crawford stands a good chance of catching Spence Jr. as he charges in. Nevertheless, the former can wear down ‘The Truth.’

A Life in the Ring

In a career that started nearly four decades ago, Teddy Atlas stood at the helm, training stalwarts such as former two-division champion Timothy Bradley, Light Heavyweight champions Donny Lalonde and Michael Moorer, and former Heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, among others. He is currently in charge of the former Lightweight champion from Ukraine, Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Reportedly Atlas even expressed an interest in taking control of Ryan Garcia’s training after he lost his April bout to Gervonta Davis infamously.

Read More: “Shut Up Teddy”: Legendary Boxing Coach’s Outrageous Claim on Sean Strickland vs. Abus Magomedov Being Similar to Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns Leaves Fans Divided

Do you also agree with the legendary trainer? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

Watch This Story: MikeTyson’s lousy coin flip, heated moments, and more: best highlights from Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford’s final press conference