Legendary trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas has revealed his greatest heavyweight of all time.
The 68-year-old has enjoyed a successful career in the sport which stretches back over 40-years. Atlas has worked with a number of top fighters throughout his tenure including the likes of Timothy Bradley, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Alexander Povetkin.
He worked alongside former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer for a number of fights, playing a key role in the development of ‘Double M’ who captured the heavyweight championship on two separate occasions during his career.
Atlas spent the majority of his analysis career working for ESPN, providing an expert opinion of some of boxing’s biggest fights over the years.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel THE FIGHT, the 68-year-old revealed Joe Louis as the greatest heavyweight ever in his opinion, ranking ‘The Brown Bomber’ even higher than the late-great Muhammad Ali.
“It’s my list, he deserves it. The greatest finisher in the history of the heavyweight division. When this man hurts you, say goodnight, say goodbye, say see you later, nice knowing you, start the shower, get the smelling salts, whatever, it was over.
You don’t have to go to Websters Dictionary to see what annihilation is, just watch the one round of Joe Louis and Max Schmelling on the eve of World War 2.”
Louis walked away from boxing back in 1949 having made an incredible 25 successful defences of his world heavyweight championship, defeating the likes of Jersey Joe Walcott and Max Schmelling during this time. Having held the heavyweight title for 12 consecutive years, Louis remains the longest reigning champion in the history of boxing.
Meanwhile, Atlas recently went on record with his admiration for heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, labelling the British fighter ‘like a heavyweight version of Pacquiao’.
