By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards giving his thoughts on the trilogy bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, the light heavyweight showdown between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev, Lee Selby vs. Eric Hunter, and more.

Hey Bread!

What's your favorite illustration of Fighter A beating Fighter B, Fighter B beating Fighter C, then Fighter C beating Fighter A?

God bless you, man!

Carlo Castillo

Philippines

Bread’s Response: Iran Barkley defeating Tommy Hearns. Tommy Hearns defeating Roberto Duran. Roberto Duran defeating Iran Barkley

Hey how are you Breadman -

I read recently that Krusher is willing to concede neutral turf Vs Ward, and fight him in Oakland.

Wow! I find this to be BIG, and do you think Team Kovalev see something in Ward that makes them think Krusher will KO him?

Bread’s Response: I think they think, they know something. Whether they really do or not remains to be seen. But if Krusher goes to Oakland and defeats Andre Ward he’s the bad ass of all bad asses. A truly great fighter who travels to hometown after hometown and leaves carnage behind. That’s a big IF but the fact that he’s volunteering tells me all I need to know about the Krusher’s mental makeup.

What up Bread??            

I was wondering what your opinion on the Selby Vs Hunter fight was? Personally I thought it was one of the worst examples of favoritism since the 5 Heartbeats took on the falcons. The ref should be suspended I mean they should have gave him a pair of Boxing gloves and I won't even speak on the commentators they called him lazy bad work ethic bad attitude and we all know what those code words mean. I was surprised more in the media didn't touch on it although Paulie malinaggi did. I hope more Americans pay attention to how our fighters are treated overseas  before jumping on some foreigners bandwagon when they fight here. As for the actual fight I gave Hunter rounds 1,2,8,10, and 12 I had 7 even because of the low blow so basically I had it even after watching it with the volume off and without the point deduction I had Hunter winning. I can't believe nothing was done about the ref he started before the bell rung started giving warnings in round 2 gave Selby a few extra seconds between rounds after the knockdown by giving hunters corner a telling off as the Brits say,watch the fight every time Selby got uncomfortable he looked to the Ref but was never dealt with for holding hitting behind the head etc. I'm just overall disgusted and I hope others are too! I know it's been said Hunter can be his own worst enemy but they did him wrong this time. I hope he doesn't have another long layoff that's what hurt him more than anything a tune-up and he would've stopped Selby in my opinion. Anyway good luck with J Rock a solid kid and future Champ! What did you think of the top 25 pound for pound I thought Whitaker was way too low he's top 3 to me. Anyway I'm from coatesville so my mythical matchup involves our only champ Calvin Grove Vs Kevin Kelley?                                                   

Bruss

Bread’s Response: I thought the ref screwed Eric Hunter over. The low blows were not that bad to have taken away a point. They were borderline at best and the constant nagging stopped Hunter’s momentum. The referee also let Selby get away with a lot of holding behind Hunter’s head. I think the IBF should order a rematch.

But I have to be fair and objective. Hunter has to show a better poker face. He was the B side. He knew what he was up against. He doesn’t have a great reputation and the referee prejudged him. Hunter sulked way too much. He complained and he was too demonstrative. He also stormed out of the ring after the fight. Despite the referee I still think Hunter could have won the fight if he let his hands go a little bit more.

He was way too conservative. An elite level featherweight has to have a higher workrate and active body. Hunter played defense far too long in spots and Selby kept scoring with the right hand. Hunter has excellent defense but it’s not on the Guillermo Rigondeaux level where he can sit back and wait so much. Hunter does get hit. Instead of being discouraged he should have been motivated and became more ferocious in attacking Selby.

Lee Selby is a solid fighter with a fighter’s mentality. But he’s very beatable. If Hunter does not get another shot he will regret not going out in more of a blaze.

Man there is no way Pernell Whitaker is the 8th the best fighter of the last 25 years. That’s a complete joke. When panel point voting is used to make ranking list this often happens. Whitaker had one of the highest peaks of the last quarter century starting from his fight with Greg Haugen ending with the 2nd Buddy McGirt. The only peaks that can rival that is Roy Jones from Bernard Hopkins to Montell Griffin and Manny Pacquaio from David Diaz to Antonio Margarito.  It’s criminal that Whitaker was so low.

He has a good case for #1 but there is no way he can be lower than 5. I honestly think Whitaker’s surly attitude and disposition still affect where he stands today.

How are you, Love your column, your insight into today's boxing landscape is second to none.

I know that things are different today, but what is wrong with fighters staying more  active? As my father used to tell me about the old-timers like Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, &  Henry Armstong... they fought so often, they never had a chance to get out of shape. All of these issues with fighters not making weight, fighting in divisions that they don't belong  in would be resolved if they would just fight more often! I know that it's more of a business now, but this would be an easy fix to these weight issues. By the way, I think Kyrone Davis is in for a tough night with Junior Castillo, but I'm sure that you'll have him well  prepared.

Thanks, Dan Ward Springfield, Pa.

Bread’s Response: The inactivity of today’s fighters overall is disgusting. Overall it hurts the product.  I can’t wait for an influential figure to simply ask for 3 and 4 fight per year deals with the big networks. Once this happens you won’t see guys sit out and fight once every 6 months.

I think there are a lot of factors on why fighters fight less. Big business modules, Preference of the bigger stars to fight less and everyone else following suit. Also the size of the paydays allow you to fight less. And PED use. These fighters get to cycle off of drugs without being detected with longer time in between bouts.

What did you think of Pacquiao’s performance? I know you picked Bradley but you are a huge fan of Manny’s. also what do you make of Max Kellerman’s comments about Pacquiao being better than Floyd Mayweather historically although Floyd beat him. How does that make sense? Who do you think would have won in 2009?

Bread’s Response: Manny Pacquiao has now proved me wrong 4 times big. Against Marco Antonio Barrera, Tim Bradley 1 and 3 and Oscar De la Hoya. What’s weird is he’s one of my favorite all time fighters. I thought he was too wild and green for the refined Barerra. Too small for Oscar. And too distracted for the in his prime Bradley. I was wrong BIG everytime.

I thought Pacquiao was loose, relaxed and on point. He’s a masterclassman. His experience level is just on the platinum level. He can also retain focus under harsh circumstances that normal fighters can’t. Bradley fought a really good fight. He had a gameplan, he was sharp, he didn’t look heavily muscled. Pac man was just better. I still would like to see him retire but we know that’s not going to happen.

You guys may not know this but I respect Max Kellerman’s opinion as much as anyone is boxing. I may not always agree with him but Max is as sharp as they come. And he’s objective despite ties with HBO. I’m not saying I agree with Max about Manny being better historically than Floyd but there have been lots of cases where one guy can beat the other head to head but not be ranked ahead of him historically. Examples. Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis both beat Hoylfield head to head. But Holyfield rates higher. Sandy Saddler got the better of Willie Pep. But Pep rates higher. Hearns and Benitez beat Duran but Duran rates higher.

Then there are cases of the head to head meeting deciding the verdict. Leonard and Hagler over Hearns because of the head to head meeting. Jones over Toney because of the head to head meeting.

In the case of Pacquiao and Mayweather I get Max’s point. Pacquiao is the smaller fighter. He’s done more against better opposition. Floyd also fought him after his perceived prime with a legit injury. So factor that in and Pacquiao is better. I get it. Personally I rate Floyd a smidge higher. I agree with what everything Max said. But because of Manny’s past slip ups in fights and Floyd never having any slip ups officially and them both being about the same age I give Floyd the slight edge. 

Floyd is better night for night. He’s more consistent. But higher peak is different. Manny from 2008-10 was as high or higher than anything I have seen from Floyd. Pacman was fighting back to back to back to back perfect fights leaving carnage. In 2009 it’s 50/50 and I probably edge Manny. I think Floyd retained his prime form a little better because of his relaxed style but Manny was able to get 4 rounds from him in 2015….. But it didn’t happen in 2009 it happened in 2015. So that’s that. And that’s as fair as I can be.

I saw that Roy Jones was upset about being ranked #4 of the last 25 years. Where do you have him ranked and does he have a gripe?

Bread’s Response: #4 is nothing to sneeze at but yes he does have a gripe. How weird is that? Roy Jones in my opinion is the best fighter since Sugar Ray Leonard’s prime of 79-82. If someone rates Floyd over him I get it. Floyd had a better ending and a perfect record. But 4 is too low.

It’s sad that people forget how good Roy Jones was. Roy invented a new way to fight southpaws. He made it cool to lead with hooks and right hands. He countered off the ropes better than anybody. I can’t even express in words how good Roy Jones was but I will try. He beat the best middleweight of the last 25 years. He beat the best super middleweight besides himself of the last 25 years. And he himself was the best lightheavyweight of the last 25 years.

But a little bit of this is his fault. People have a right to judge his ending and it’s been horrific considering how good he was.  So that’s that.

Hi

I remember reading many years ago how 2 Philadelphian trainers worked with Qawi (formerly Braxton) when he first left Rahway and helped him perfect his style to suit his stature. I still enjoy watching footage of Qawi. Do you know much about the broader careers of Mouzon and McCall or any stories about them you'd care to share?

Thanks

Bread’s Response: I don’t know much about Mr. McCall. But Wesley Mouzon was an excellent fighter. He’s sort of a folk legend because he had to retire so young at 19 years of age. He was tall and he could box his ass off without running. He fought Ike Williams and Bob Montgomery to stand stills and they are in everyone’s top 10 in the division’s history. I see no reason to think he wouldn’t have had a similar career.

As a trainer to take a guy like Qawi who started boxing so late. And make him so fundamentally sound and bring him along in such a short time span to be in the biggest lightheavyweight fight ever vs Michael Spinks is a tremendous accomplishment.

Qawi may have been a natural fighter but he wasn’t a freak athlete. So his success was built on a solid foundation. A strong jab on a great angle and a built in defense. Mouzon and McCall did all of this with an undersized guy who they had to fast track in the 15 round era. Did I mention it was the toughest era for a 175 pounders. They did a tremendous job with Qawi. It’s still being applauded to this day.

Send questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com