Teddy Atlas, a tough guy with a community mission

Trainer Teddy Atlas is a tough guy. You can't survive in the fight game unless you're tough. And Teddy is plenty tough. He not only survives in the hurt business, he thrives in it.

But when it comes to helping others survive, Teddy has great concern for those shall we say less fortunate. That's why 20 years ago he created the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation, named after his late father, a doctor who took care of patients free of charge for 55 years. Because, as the doc would say, they needed to be taken of.

Teddy operates 3 gyms, helping take care of kids inside the ring. But he also makes sure to reach and teach those outside the ring. Like children at P.S. 373R in Staten Island with special needs.

Never forgetting where he came from, Teddy won't leave his roots in Staten Island. How important is he to the community? Just ask Borough President James Oddo.

It's kind of ironic. While Teddy makes his living in the hurt business the Dr. Theordore Atlas Foundation is in the business of healing.

When it comes to hometown pride, all of Staten Island can be proud of their resident tough guy Teddy Atlas.