Teddy Atlas: NBC hides corrupt Olympic boxing matches

Longtime boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas believes that Olympic boxing suffers from corruption, and that NBC knowingly hides it.

Longtime boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas believes that Olympic boxing suffers from corruption, and that NBC knowingly hides it.

Speaking on SI Now, Atlas said that NBC’s coverage of boxing during the Rio Games has been minimal so fans cannot see the questionable decisions that have already been made. 

“NBC has done a really good job of hiding the boxing,” Atlas said. “Surf through the channels, they don’t show it, they’re hiding it. So, if that’s the answer, shame on them.”

Atlas also recalled what he believes was a fixed match between an Azerbaijani and Japanese fighter at the Olympics in 2012. He and commentator Bob Papa called the fight for NBC, in which Magomed Abdulhamidov of Azerbaijan was knocked down five times by Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu. Abdulhamidov was given the win, a decision that was eventually overturned. 

Before the games, Azerbaijan was rumored to have paid AIBA, the organization that runs Olympic boxing, $10 million for two gold medals.

Atlas also called out AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu for lacking integrity. 

“Look, I’ve been in boxing all my life, 40 years, this is a powerful statement. I’ve never seen an organization this corrupt my life,” Atlas said about AIBA. “It’s absurd.”