Teddy Atlas Uses Muhammad Ali Comeback To Question Spence Return

Atlas pointed to Muhammad Ali’s comeback after a lengthy layoff, arguing history rarely favors elite fighters returning after three years away.

Teddy Atlas believes Errol Spence Jr.’s three-year layoff is the biggest factor ahead of Saturday’s fight with Tim Tszyu in Sydney. Although Atlas rates Spence above Tszyu at their best, he says history shows long absences often leave elite fighters without the timing and reflexes needed to beat top opponents.

Atlas recalled Muhammad Ali returning after three and a half years away from the ring before losing to Joe Frazier, saying the former heavyweight champion never fully recovered the qualities that made him dominant.

“Muhammad Ali when he came back three and a half years off, he had two tune-ups and he couldn’t beat Joe Frazier the first fight because the talents he depended on the most, his speed, his reflexes, the timing, they’d been eroded by three and a half years off,” said Atlas on his YouTube channel. “The two comeback fights weren’t enough to beat an elite guy. I’m not saying Tszyu is Joe Frazier, but here is Spence with three years off coming back at a different weight class.”

Atlas believes Ali’s comeback showed that lengthy layoffs can permanently affect elite fighters. He also feels Spence accomplished more during his career than Tszyu has so far, but he isn’t sure that version of Spence will return after such a long absence.

“Spence was a much higher level talent and fighter and fought at a higher level than Tszyu ever did. I know he got blown out by a generational talent in Crawford, but Spence was the higher level fighter.”

Atlas still believes three years away from the ring leaves too many unanswered questions, especially with Spence returning in a heavier weight class against an active Tszyu.

“I’d love to pick Spence. I really would. But being at home and Tszyu being active, there’s too many question marks about Spence. Tszyu, even with the flaws in him, I know what I’m getting. The past has told us that when you’re inactive that long, that alone can be a real problem. That can be a game stopper.”