Bringing you the newest series from ATS Fight, RING CHAMPS with Ak & Barak. Weekly episodes of RING CHAMPS will feature exclusive interviews with top fighters, trainers, and luminaries in the sport of boxing, along with in-depth analysis of the most culturally relevant news in the ever-changing game.
Teddy Atlas: 400 Stitches at 17, Facing 10 Years in Prison & the Day Cus D’Amato Saved Him
Hall of Fame trainer & commentator, Teddy Atlas, sits down with Ak and Barak and opens up on everything. He talks about the father he calls the only real tough man he ever knew, the night at 17 a knife nearly ended his life, and the day Cus D’Amato walked into court and told the judge that locking him up would cost the world someone who could help a lot of people.Then it’s boxing: how Timothy Bradley talked him out of retirement, the psychology behind his famous Michael Moorer corner speech, why he says calling the Pacquiao fight a robbery got him pushed out of boxing, calling Claressa Shields’ first gold when she was 16, and why he’s back calling fights for Salita Promotions on DAZN on November 7.Plus why AJ vs. Fury is five years too late, and why that could make it even more brutal.
0:00:00 Intro: Teddy Atlas joins Ring Champs0:00:44 How a doctor’s son ends up in the streets0:01:59 Growing up with Dr. Atlas: the hospital for the poor0:05:45 “My father was my only hero”0:07:14 The Christmas Eve bus story0:10:49 Why his father never showed emotion0:14:28 The nursing home story: “You’re not so crazy”0:19:17 Going down the hill: looking for family on the corner0:22:40 Atlas Foundation: house calls and Title I schools0:25:11 AD BREAK0:26:35 Did his father ever say he was proud?0:29:20 How Teddy Atlas came to train Timothy Bradley Jr.0:34:18 “The best punch is the one you don’t throw”0:37:08 Cus D’Amato as a father figure0:38:16 The night he was stabbed0:44:32 “We might lose him”: his father arrives at the hospital0:47:44 Catskill, the court case and the judge0:51:17 What a real friend is0:52:20 Preparing like a pro: what fight night demands0:54:45 The fighters who quit before they lose0:56:08 How Teddy reached Michael Moorer1:02:08 Back to boxing: Salita Promotions and the podcast with his son1:03:49 What’s wrong with American boxing: no apprenticeship, no teachers1:06:59 Speaking out and living with the consequences1:08:42 Why the jab is the most dangerous punch1:10:10 Biting his tongue until the call came1:11:20 Nerves, trust and returning to the broadcast1:12:31 “Your parents did a good job”1:14:00 What it really means to be a fighter1:15:29 Joshua vs. Fury: why Teddy likes AJ1:19:18 Daniel Dubois and why boxing is 75% mental1:20:20 Rivera vs. Perez: Puerto Rico vs. Mexico on Nov. 7
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22 Oct 2026
Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington: “I Want Inoue While He’s Still Great,” Top Rank Future & His Road to 147
Fresh off becoming WBC featherweight champion, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington returns to Ring Champs and opens up about the decision ahead of him. He tells Ak and Barak that his Top Rank deal is “up soon,” explains what the promotion would have to do to keep him and how happy he’s been with them.Bruce also names Naoya Inoue as the rival who can prove his greatness, explains why he believes 126 pounds is not Inoue’s natural division, and maps out a future that could take him as high as 147. Plus, he says Devin Haney peaked first, breaks down Keyshawn Davis–Richardson Hitchins, relives Mike Tyson’s surprise appearance at his Brownsville championship parade, and gets honest about the body shots that tested him in his latest title defense.0:00 How “Shu Shu” got his name1:47 Tiger Johnson: from amateur rival to best friend3:08 The Brownsville parade: how it came together5:24 Mike Tyson’s surprise appearance8:13 Parade nerves, the key to Brownsville & uniting rival neighborhoods12:40 Last fight: a unanimous decision after the January knockout14:21 The behind-the-head shot: knockdown or not?15:36 Open scoring: good or bad for boxing?19:10 Taking body shots and the mental toughness it required21:11 The scorecards: which judge got it right?24:20 Disappointment, and how he coped25:56 What’s next: unification talk and the 126lb contenders27:06 Fighting in New York and going abroad28:55 Figueroa, Espinosa and Leo: strengths of each30:20: Carrington wants to fight Inoue34:40 Fury vs. AJ prediction36:09 Keyshawn Davis vs. Richardson Hitchins37:42 Who peaked first: Devin, Shakur, Hitchins or Shu Shu?40:39 The new “Four Kings” and why boxing needs rivalries43:43 How high will he go in weight? Power and punching46:03 Reaction to his untold story from Part 149:15 Brock opens up about a panic attack on live TV56:03 Closing thoughts: the Bam fight he wants
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16 Oct 2026
Mike Tyson Stories: Zab’s $100K Ducati Crash, Jake Paul Holding Back? & Irvin’s Lamb Chop Dinner
Everybody has a Mike Tyson story—but few have heard them like this. As Netflix’s ‘TYSON’ arrives, Michael Irvin, Zab Judah, Jake Paul, Christy Martin, Big Daddy Kane, Stephen Espinoza and Mauricio Sulaimán look back at the fear, generosity and unforgettable chaos surrounding the youngest heavyweight champion ever.Zab tells the full story of crashing Tyson’s custom $100,000 Ducati and expecting the worst. Jake Paul explains why he held back after seeing Tyson stumble, Christy Martin remembers how Tyson supported her rise, Stephen Espinoza recalls the Aston Martin left in valet for nine months, and Mauricio Sulaimán shares what Tyson was like away from the spotlight in Mexico.
0:00 Michael Irvin on Tyson’s rise, intimidation and the Ali dream fight4:14 Zab Judah’s $100K Ducati crash and Tyson’s response18:22 AD BREAK19:19 Jake Paul on holding back against Tyson21:17 Christy Martin on Tyson’s support22:50 Big Daddy Kane’s club story24:53 AD BREAK26:14 Stephen Espinoza’s nine-month Aston Martin story30:46 Mauricio Sulaimán’s Tyson memories in Mexico
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Who has been a guest on Ring Champs with Ak & Barak
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kenny Bayless
Claressa Shields
Christy Martin
O’Shaquie Foster
Lamont Roach Jr
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
13,942,917
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
4.4 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
85
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
32
Contact Ring Champs with Ak & Barak
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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