Teddy Atlas Calls Kalle Sauerland a "Punk": "I Don't Even Want To Be In Boxing"

In a recent video interview with Bokser.org, Teddy Atlas gives a riveting speech on the subject of his status as the trainer of Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin.

Povetkin, you will recall, on the advice of Atlas, decided at the last minute to decline an opportunity to fight heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko for a $2 million purse, no-showing a press conference to promote the fight and leaving Wladimir stranded at the altar, so to speak.

Since then, Povetkin's career has been regressing, as he fights a succession of no-names and seems to be steadily losing belief in himself.

This last point was made plain when Povetkin, an Olympic gold medalist in 2004, recently started talking about fighting for Russia in the next Olympics.

It was as if Povetkin felt he needed to start all over again, and many pointed the finger at Teddy Atlas for Povetkin's loss of confidence.  Rumors have it that Sauerland Event, Povetkin's promoter, wants Atlas replaced.

Atlas offers a spirited defense of himself in the Bokser.org video, however.

Atlas says one of the main reasons he didn't want Povetkin, who he says he has great affection for, to take the Klitschko fight was because of Povetkin promoter Sauerland Event's greed.

"It was a $2 million purse, and after it was over, [Povetkin] wasn't going to have anything, hardly...that's what the case was gonna be," Atlas says.

"How could I not pay attention to that," an emotional Atlas continues.  "I thought it was criminal that they were prepared to do that."

Atlas has some stinging personal words for promoter Kalle Sauerland as well.

"He's such a punk.  He makes me laugh," says Atlas.  "[Sauerland] has no idea the risk and danger of being a fighter.  And no respect for it."

"He's never been hit," Atlas sneers.  "He's always been protected by his father's money."

As for reports that Sauerland wants Atlas out as Povetkin's trainer, Atlas is even more pointed.

"Take him back to his old trainer, g'head," Atlas responds.  "Go talk to Alexander Povetkin and ask him if he wants to go back.  I'm not stopping him."

Atlas says he only came back because he liked Povetkin and thinks he has character.

"I don't even want to be in boxing anymore," Atlas declares.  "I really don't."

"And this is why I don't want to be in the sport—because of people like Sauerland."