Teddy Atlas has been giving his opinion on UFC fighters wanting to cross over into boxing. He's seen as an expert because he is one of the best boxing trainers and follows the sports of MMA very closely.
Kamaru Usman recently came out and said he wanted to box Canelo Alvarez. The UFC champion was met with a lot of negative reactions as many felt he was not at the level.
“He’s got physicality, he’s very strong, he’s a decent puncher, and he’s not a bad striker but I think a lot of his strengths are on the mat. But, if you throw him in there with a B-level guy, or even a good journeyman guy, no [he wouldn’t win]. I don’t want to upset anyone but as long as the rules are strictly boxing, no he wouldn’t be able to have tremendous success,” Atlas said in an appearance on The Schmo podcast.
Teddy Atlas felt UFC superstar Conor McGregor had success against Floyd Mayweather for many reasons. One of those was that, unlike Kamaru Usman, he wasn't taking on a prime world-beater.
“McGregor had some success with the great Mayweather for a couple of reasons. Mayweather was 40 and had been off for two and a half years, but another reason is styles make fights. And McGregor was fighting a guy who’s a counter puncher. Who’s gonna give him some room. Let him perform a little bit,” said Atlas. “[Mayweather’s] not gonna be a seek-and-destroy missile. He wasn’t gonna be a guy like [Errol] Spence would have been. One of those go-get-you kinds of guys that would have been aggressive and went right after and maybe exposed him in certain areas. So Mayweather gave him some room, and to the credit of McGregor, he was ahead after four rounds.
“I was there for ESPN, calling the fight. And there’s a reason [he was ahead]. He was staying outside with the counter punching and using his reach, using the jab, and [after] four rounds he was ahead. But then, of course, Mayweather did what he had to do in his realm to break him down, and he did. But the point I’m making is styles make fights,” he continued. “UFC, MMA, boxing, I don’t give a damn what it is, that’s consistent. And for Usman, if they pick the right style, that would have a lot to do with the kind of success or lack of success he would have in boxing, but he couldn’t just come in and [win].
“Because he doesn’t have one area where you can say he’s real cute or elusive. You know who would have a better shot? [Sean] O’Malley. Because he’s a little bit more slick and you can put him in with a guy who’s a little slow-footed. I guy that’s not real busy.”
Teddy Atlas brought up some great points on UFC fighters boxing boxers. Kamaru Usman would have a lot of trouble considering his background is in wrestling.
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