Staten Island Advance

Heading to the Hall

Staten Island's own Teddy Atlas, a trainer and longtime broadcaster, was selected for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the nonparticipants and observers category on Tuesday.

Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.

The induction ceremony will take place June 9 in Canastota, New York.

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Staten Island Advance

Well-deserved

"The greatest value it gives to me is something I can celebrate with the people I love," Atlas told the Advance on Wednesday.

"My family and friends can share it together, that's the real value to it," he added. "After spending 40 years in boxing, it's nice to be recognized, obviously a nice feeling.

"Another occasion to thank my family for all they've done to allow my career, there's so much they sacrificed all those years," said Atlas.

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Staten Island Advance

Joining Atlas

Joining Atlas in selection for induction are two-division champions Donald Curry, Julian Jackson and James "Buddy" McGirt.

Also to be enshrined are welterweight champion Tony DeMarco in the old-timer category, promoter Don Elbaum, referee/judge Guy Jutras and publicist Lee Samuels in the nonparticipants and observers category.

Journalist Mario Rivera Martino was selected posthumously in the observer category.

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Staten Island Advance

Training Tyson

Atlas was born in 1956 on Staten Island and trained in upstate New York under Cus D’Amato, winning the 1976 Adirondack Golden Gloves lightweight title.

Unfortunately, back problems forced him out of the ring and he apprenticed under D’Amato as an assistant trainer, working with a young Mike Tyson.

Atlas trained nine champions before becoming one of boxing’s most popular and outspoken broadcasters the past two decades.

"I was a boxer, I won the Golden Gloves when I was young," said Atlas. "I was fortunate enough to train with one of the greatest of all time, Cus D'Amato.

"He felt I could be a trainer, he was my mentor," added Atlas.

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Staten Island Advance

Many a champion

Atlas trained champions Wilfred Benitez, Shannon Briggs, Simon Brown, Joey Gamache, Donny Lalonde, Barry McGuigan, Tracy Patterson, Michael Moorer and Timothy Bradley.

"I was fortunate to be associated with champions and learn at the feet of Cus," explained Atlas.

He eventually made the jump to broadcasting and became one of boxing's most popular and respected commentators, serving as color commentator from 1998-2017 on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights," ''Wednesday Night Fights," and Premier Boxing Champions telecasts.

"I got an opportunity 22 years ago when ESPN decided to start Friday Night Fights," added Atlas. "I was lucky enough they chose me and I'm still with ESPN."

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Staten Island Advance

Atlas the broadcaster

Atlas also worked on ABC's "Wide World of Sports" boxing telecasts and NBC Sports boxing coverage of the Olympics from 2000-2016.

He earned the prestigious Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the BWAA in 2001.

"It's a whole different aspect of the business," noted Atlas. "I hope in some small way I was able to make the audience aware of some small thing they may not have been aware of.

"You didn't have to be invested in either fighter, when you train it's different," pointed out Atlas. "Your only responsibility is to the audience."

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Staten Island Advance

Around the globe

"The Olympics were a great honor and experience," said Atlas, who covered the Games in Sydney, Beijing, Athens, and London.

"I was fortunate and blessed for the opportunities I had," he added.

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Staten Island Advance

Community leader

Atlas, a 2005 Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame inductee, is highly regarded in the community for his initiatives in keeping kids off the streets.

His Atlas Cops & Kids boxing gyms in the Berry Homes and Park Hill apartment complexes have served youth boxers with free gym time for years.

"We keep kids out of trouble and off the streets," said Atlas. "The foundation pays for the gym, gives them discipline, direction, and a positive place to be."

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Staten Island Advance

Dr. Atlas Foundation

Atlas founded the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation in 1997 in honor of his late father.

The community service organization provides financial and emotional support to individuals in need for a variety of reasons.

"It makes a difference to let them know 'hey, we care about'," said Atlas. "We have programs in at-risk schools, among other things...we help people take ownership over their lives."

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Staten Island Advance

Still kicking..erm, punching*

For Atlas, he's still well invested in the sport.

He recently trained Ukrainian fighter Oleksandr Gvodzyk, who defeated defending WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson on Friday on Showtime in Quebec City.

"I only come back for special fighters," said Atlas, who trained Gvordzyk for two months in California leading up to the bout. "We'll defend the title."

The do-it-all fighter/trainer/broadcaster will return to the booth to cover fights for ESPN on Friday.

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