By Chris Glover
Australian born, based globally, Mike Altamura discusses his life's work within boxing at home and away - including with fighters such as TJ Doheny - as well as his plans for the future...
The 36-year-old Australian Mike Altamura is one of the silent puppetmasters in boxing. Not one to openly chase recognition and plaudits, Altamura has been a guiding light in the careers of nine current or former world title holders, including Billy Dib, TJ Doheny, Isaac Dogboe, and Moruti Mthalane, who defends his world flyweight title this weekend in Tokyo, Japan.
Altamura has been a mainstay of Oceania boxing for years, having worked closely with some of the most notable Australian stars of the last 20 years before expanding around the globe and establishing himself as arguably the best manager to guide the careers of African fighters, having notable successes with Moruti Mthalane, Dogboe, and former female WBC world champion Fatuma Zarika.
Altamura opened up to BM about some of his career successes. "I've worked with some amazing talents and amazing human beings in my time in boxing. Helping the likes of Billy Dib and Erin McGowan come from a part of the world where boxing is not a mainstream sport and be blessed to get them into positions where they have been able to capture world titles.
"All credit belongs to these superhuman warriors of the ring; I've merely assisted to facilitate the pathway they need to get to where they were always destined to go.
"TJ Doheny, an Irish based Australian fighter is another unique success story. TJ is a great kid, he always remained focused and worked diligently until his opportunity came as the IBF mandatory challenger in Tokyo. He shocked many in ascending to a world title but never his immediate team. We have no doubt he'll be a world champion again."
Altamura has also developed a big presence in Africa, having worked with some of the continent's top fighters in recent years.
"Africa has always been a place that intrigued me," he said. "There have been so many brilliant fighters that have emerged from African nations and you hear stories about them ending up with nothing and others who have never had the right guidance within boxing.
"I was presented with the opportunity to work with African fighters almost 20 years ago, and I've been blessed to work with many gifted fighters in the regions. I believe there's many more superstar talents to emerge in the years to come.
"I am very proud of someone like Fatuma Zarika who accomplished everything in her career against the grain. The re-emergence of Moruti Mthalane may be my most rewarding accomplishment in boxing. To see this beautiful gentleman earn the paydays he's always deserved in recent outings really illuminates me. Fighters deserve everything they get and I am proud to have helped numerous African fighters achieve career-high paydays and world titles within my time as a manager/advisor."
Altamura has tales and stories from the boxing world that can go on for hours and hours, and the normally quiet Australian has now decided to channel his experiences within the noble art through his very own podcast entitled 'The Fight Game With Mike Altamura' which recently launched and has featured guests such as trainer of five world champions Hector Bermudez, former world champion Joshua Clottey, and many more to come.
Altamura weighed in on why he decided the time was right to put his life's work and that of others on to an audible platform.
The Australian said, "I've never really been one to crave attention or shout about what I've accomplished, but the podcasting world intrigues me. I've been around boxing a long time, my background is journalism, and I want to share knowledge and stories with those willing to listen along with working with some of the most interesting characters in the world of boxing. I'll be channelling that through my new podcast 'The Fight Game'.
"My inner creative side is buzzing at the moment with all the possibilities. I endeavour to deliver a podcast that combat sports enthusiasts can really enjoy full of unique content from some of the most interesting names in the sport. I am all over the world on a weekly basis and have been in this business a long time, so I thought why not compile my experiences alongside those of others and I felt the best way to channel it was through this medium.
"'The Fight Game' is available already on iTunes and Spotify and I am really excited about watching the podcast grow and also working with some fascinating characters that I have met over the years along the way. It is going to be very fun so please keep your ears to the ground for more episodes which will be released on a weekly basis."