Mike Tyson became one of the greatest legends in boxing history and is one of the most memorable world champions in the history of pugilism.
The feats of Iron Mike in the ring made him an iconic boxer, as well as the reviews of his fall from being one of the most fearsome punchers in the ring, to his equally legendary falls.
Within this rollercoaster story, coach Teddy Atlas holds a particularly significant place.
During a recent interview, Atlas delved into the annals of their shared history, offering a startling revelation that sheds new and dramatic light on the boxing legend’s enigmatic journey that began in the 1980s, when Tyson was a teenager
Manager Cus D’Amato took Tyson under his wing while he was living at the Tryon School for Boys, a juvenile detention center in upstate New York.
It was when D’Amato’s protege, Teddy Atlas, first met Tyson, and immediately, they began working together winning two junior Olympic gold medals.
Atlas, of course, was doing an excellent job as Tyson’s trainer and disciplinarian. However, their relationship came to an abrupt end in 1982.
Atlas’ anger broke the relationship
Tyson was 15 years old, and allegedly made some inappropriate advances towards a young girl in Atlas’ family, which pushed Atlas over the edge and furious at the harrowing experience, he confronted Tyson with a weapon.
Atlas reportedly put a gun to Tyson’s head and warned him to stay away from his family member, which left irreparable damage in the relationship between the two, and Atlas left D’Amato’s camp while Tyson continued his training.
Now, Atlas says he doesn’t like being associated with Iron Mike.
“I don’t like being linked with Mike Tyson all the time. I don’t like it,” Atlas said. “I get it. I get the benefits, I get it, I trained him for three and a half or four years, whatever it is, I don’t even know. I helped him form from when he was 12 years old until he was 15, or maybe a little more.
“I don’t even know exactly, but around 16 years old he won two national titles at the Junior Olympics. I had him during his formative years, I taught him from day one all the basics he needed and that he took to later stages of his career,” Atlas recalled. “I was there for that, we went through things together and went through that journey together, and I appreciate people remembering that. And in many ways it has given me some exposure.”
‘He’s not the guy who wants to hurt someone anymore’
Atlas revealed that he did not like people saying that he was Tyson’s first trainer, and despite being involved with several world champions, Atlas refused to link his name with Tyson’s.
“I have to be honest. I’ve been involved with a lot of fighters, but I wasn’t there. I didn’t make Tyson the world heavyweight champion. I didn’t do that,” Atlas said.
About Tyson’s last fight in November 2024 against Jake Paul, Atlas pointed out that Iron Mike “is just not that guy who wants to hurt somebody. He’s no longer that guy who’s willing to go through the fire to get to somebody, that’s not him anymore”.