This week, the one and only Stephen ‘Breadman’ Edwards delves into his mailbag to bring you his wisdom regarding the Canelo-Crawford showdown, PTSD in boxing and a sumptuous dream matchup.
Greetings Breadman! I hope you and your family are doing great. I’ve been waiting to share my two cents on the Canelo-Crawford fight, and I figure with some new information about the officials and sparring partners we have received, it was a good time. In the past six months, I’ve interacted twice in person with referee Thomas Taylor and we covered many boxing topics and fights. Thomas was respectful, honest, and genuine with my friends and I. He will be more neutral than Switzerland and he shared how he just wants a clean fight and the fighters to fight. As far as the three judges for this fight – Cheatham, DeLuxa, and Weisfeld – they are the judges that I and many expected. No judge is perfect, but they have a lot of experience, take pride in their job, and been on the right side of the scoring, majority of the time. Regarding the Canelo-Bivol fight, both Weisfeld and Cheatham who were the judges had it 115-113, which I believe was the correct scorecard. Canelo has been in 69 total fights, only once in the first Gennady Golovkin fight a lot of people thought he fell short to GGG by 115-113; one round. I believe we both had the same score as well if I remember your past mailbag comments? A few days ago, Tim Bradley made a comment on various boxing websites that Boots Ennis should reveal his sparring sessions with Canelo to Bradley and Crawford. I don’t know why Bradley would say that… Crawford chooses not to fight Boots and now Boots needs to provide information? Boots will give Canelo great work and has a similar style to Crawford, but he isn’t Crawford. Likewise, all the big guys that Crawford has sparred will help him, but they aren’t Canelo. What happens in sparring should stay in sparring.
I see the first four rounds being even, Crawford will keep his distance and throw his jabs, he will throw more punches that Canelo, but I strongly believe Canelo’s power shots will stand out more. I know Crawford has his own advantages, including better stamina, which will help him the last few rounds, but how aggressive will Crawford fight is the question.
This fight can go many ways, but I see Canelo winning this fight 116-112 with two to three rounds being hard to score but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a split decision or Crawford wins if he is aggressive.
With all of that in mind, I have three questions for you: 1.Your opinions and rules when someone spars one of your fighters for a big fight, how do you feel about Bradley’s comments? 2. I think you, like referee Thomas Taylor and the three judges that Crawford wanted who were on his list, all of them have done Crawford fights on many occasions and Weisfeld gave Crawford the victory in a close fight with Madrimov. So, was was there a judge you were hoping would score this fight? 3. This is a close fight with many possible outcomes, I just hope both fighters give the fans what they want. I know you like Crawford to win for various reasons, but does anything change in your mind at all as the fight gets closer? Thank you for Breadman for the weekly mailbags and have a great time enjoying the fight regardless of the outcome. Kind regards, Eman, from Los Angeles
Bread’s response: I was surprised the officials for Canelo vs Crawford was announced so early. But I like Thomas Taylor as a referee. He does a solid job. The judges panel was also solid. No judge will be perfect in a subjective sport but these are top judges. For example, I can’t recall Tim Cheatham turning in a score card that I thought should’ve went the other way and that says a lot in a subjective scoring system.
I wasn’t hoping for any judge in specific but there are some judges I was hoping that did NOT get the call. And none of those judges got it, thank God.
I thought the scorecards in Canelo’s fight with Bivol should’ve been 116-112 or 117-111. They got it right, but I thought 115-113 was a little close.
I actually like listening to Tim Bradley. He’s sharp with his thoughts and honest with his feelings. But I don’t agree with him that Boots should tell Crawford what happened in camp. Boots and Crawford are not friends. Boots wanted to fight Crawford. He doesn't owe him anything.
Nothing has changed my mind. People are trying to talk me out of my Crawford pick, but I don’t allow that. I’m not going to keep talking about the fight with them. I like Crawford and that’s that. September 13th we shall see.
Greetings Mr Edwards! I hope everything is well with you, your family, and your fighters. Thank you for helping me understand the boxing scoring system in my last mail. Before i go into what i want get an insight about, I would like to give you your flowers while you’re still around. You have really helped me and some of my fellow mailbag readers or followers with your boxing knowledge and which has made us better people in life.
I believe Crawford will win this matchup because of his IQ and skillset with him also having that dog ghetto mentality. Canelo is a teachable boxer but not a super talent and Crawford is a super talent, so that’s how Crawford wins in my opinion. I don’t know why people are criticizing your pick because you’re saying it’s gonna be a close fight, not a one-sided beatdown. Canelo really wants to win this fight and he’s a bit scared of Crawford and he knows that the only advantage he has is power and that worries him because he hasn’t knocked anyone out in years.
Out of curiosity why are British fighters more competitive in the amateur ranks (but then largely fail to be great in the professional ranks) than fighters from the States, Ukraine and maybe even Japan and the Philippines? Why do they take so much time to develop or they’re just not that boxing educated?
Bread’s response: I don’t know why everyone is so mad at my pick either. It’s just a pick. I get some nasty insults thrown my way every day because I’m picking Crawford. But it is, what it is. And my pick, is my pick.
I think UK fighters don’t live up to the expectations because the expectations are too high. The UK gets behind all of their talent and they do it obsessively. So, with high praise comes a high expectation. And when you don’t live up to high expectations, that lack of success can ruin a fighter’s psyche. I think it’s a vicious circle that keeps happening in the UK. The reason behind this is simple. The UK has the fans, promoters, and platforms to produce great fighters. They just don’t have the overall talent and I don’t believe they have the overall trainers. Obviously, they have some great trainers like Andy Lee, Ben Davison, and Shane McGuigan. I’m sure there are a few others that I didn't mention. But that’s only a handful of trainers. The UK is a big place. The five best UK fighters of my lifetime have been Lennox Lewis, Naseem Hamed, Joe Calzaghe, Carl Froch and Tyson Fury. Lewis, Hamed and Fury all hired American trainers. Think about that… it tells you all you need to know. How often has an elite fighter from the US hired a UK trainer?
Hello Stephen, Turki Alalshikh has definitely made his mark in the boxing business. Turki maybe just as influential as Don King and Bob Arum combined back in the day. Anyway my question is: What is your opinion on Turki’s approach to the Tom and Jerry idea he’s pushing. Do you prefer Tom or Jerry? Personally, I’d prefer Fenech over Mayweather or Marciano over Ali. What about yourself? Thanks, Steven.
Bread’s response: I respect Turki’s approach on the Tom and Jerry idea. He’s paying for the fights. But I also would respect it if a fighter said, “I’m going to fight the best style for me and if I have to move and box, I will.”
I personally like every style. I can watch Pernell Whitaker and Willie Pep. Then I can watch Tommy Hearns and Julian Jackson. It really depends on what I’m in the mood for. The right opponents will bring out what’s the inside of a fighter. For the record, I can watch Ali vs Cleveland Williams and Floyd vs Diego Corrales as much as I can watch anything from Fenech or Marciano.
Hey Mr. Edwards: I am stoked for next Saturday’s Canelo-Crawford, so much to the point that I am counting down the days, reviewing film, and planning the fight party menu. The naysayers, those who claim they’d rather see each combatant against other fighters, need to put their gripes on pause and enjoy this rare and significant matchup.
This is the first 50/50 major fight, in my opinion, since Fury-Usyk I, where the same size v. skill question existed, with the bigger fighter also being super-skilled. This is probably the first huge 50/50 fight in Vegas since Crawford-Spence. That one didn’t turn out to be 50/50 of course, but the anticipation was that it’d be a fairly even match.
A few thoughts I’d like to run by you for your reaction: In studying Canelo, one of the keys to success is forcing him to reset, either with an effective body jab or footwork. Canelo is a fantastic counterpuncher, but only if he is in rhythm. This is perhaps not a rare weakness, but all those who have had success against Canelo — Floyd, Lara, Bivol, Golovkin — have exploited this flaw. I’m sure it’s in Crawford’s game plan to force Canelo to reset, over and over. As for Crawford, he is great when he goes lefty, but the only “tell” showing he is not a natural southpaw is that he sometimes doesn’t have the head movement one would expect after a fighter throws his lead hand. Every time he’s been caught with a good shot, against Gamboa, Mean Machine, Jose Benavidez, Porter, it’s because he’s been hit with a right after throwing his own right with his head left on the midline. I don’t make much of Canelo’s looking bruised in his sparring photos with Boots. Canelo must know he’s going to get touched up by Crawford and is probably working on his countering after taking a shot. That’s his key to victory, as mentioned earlier. With a few exceptions, like in the first Golovkin fight, Canelo usually fades a bit in the later rounds. Maybe he will fade even earlier since this will probably be a mentally as well as physically fatiguing bout. Finally, I’m interested in how the extra weight affects Crawford’s speed. While Canelo may not have elite speed, he’s not slow, and also has superb timing. I’m assuming Crawford will have the obviously quicker hands and feet but wonder if the weight will matter. He should weigh in 162-163 at most in my opinion.Peace! Sincerely, Kevin G. Little
Bread’s response: The thing about weight that people don’t realize. You hear people repeat that a fighter walks around at a high weight so therefore moving up is easy. The important factor is, when you cut weight, then you rehydrate BACK up, that may be your prime performance zone.
For example, Crawford looked great at 147lbs. He may have walked around at 175lbs, cut down to 147lbs, then rehydrated back up to 162lbs. So that may be prime performance zone. That doesn’t mean that he’s going to look great fighting at 168lbs. Because his rehydration point is starting from a much higher weight. More mass and muscles requires more maintenance for the mass and muscles. I’m picking Crawford but that’s a real concern. Will he be as fast and have the same endurance at 168lbs, that he had at 147lbs?
Call me crazy, but I think Crawford has to force Canelo into exchanges. Not one or two big shots. But exchanges of rapid gun fire back and forth. Canelo has reduced his attacks to one-punch attacks because it’s more energy efficient for him at this time. If Crawford can challenge that and make Canelo attack or defend himself with more punches, I think Crawford takes Canelo down the stretch and drowns him. I like Crawford on a late stoppage or decision.
Hey Mr. Edwards, I want your opinion on a mythical matchup that actually could've happened in the 2000s - Arturo Gatti versus Diego Corrales. I remember you saying Arturo Gatti was willing to die for our entertainment, and I think the same applies to Diego Corrales. I think it would be a great fight, and I have no idea who would win. I also wanted to discuss the Canelo versus Crawford fight - it's rare that I disagree with you, but I'm picking Canelo to win, because Crawford looked ordinary in his fight with Israil Madrimov, and it looks like he didn't carry his power up to 154lbs, and, if Sergey Kovalev and Triple-G couldn't drop or stop Canelo, I don't see Crawford doing it. I also think Canelo has NOT lost a gear - he just hasn't pushed himself as hard as he can in his last few fights, because he wasn't fighting elite opponents, but I think he will be at his absolute best physically and mentally, because of the magnitude of this fight, and because he's fighting one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. I won't be shocked or surprised if Crawford wins (by decision), because he's an excellent fighter, and he's undefeated and Canelo is not, but my pick is Canelo. The only way that I see Canelo getting stopped is by an injury, or quitting out of frustration like Roberto Duran did against Sugar Ray Leonard in their rematch. I don't care who wins - I just want to see a good fight. John, Sacramento, California
Bread’s response: Diego and Arturo just missed each other at 130lbs. Both could be hurt and both could dropped. But both got up and fought like animals. Diego outperformed Arturo by a mile vs Angel Manfredy. I’ve been told by people who sparred Arturo that he’s a murderously hard puncher. Diego is easy to hit. Diego is a big target because of his height and lack of reach. I can see each stop the other. But if I’m talking best night for best night. My pick would be Diego Corrales by brutal stoppage in a war. The reason for this, is his short counters. Diego had a very short counter hook, that was a kill shot. It’s the shot that stopped Manfredy, Garcia, and Castillo. It’s the shot that hurt Casamayor. This is a fight that Gatti can win. This is a matchup I can see Gatti changing his style if there is a series and outboxing Corrales. But for one night, on their best night, for all the marbles, I think Diego with his compact counter hook, would carry the day and he would clip Gatti.
Dear Bread, I’ve been reading your mailbag for a few years—first time writing. Thanks for the work you do. I’d like your take on this: I know you’re picking Crawford, I’m picking Canelo (I only point out my pick because I’m not going to be one of those guys who says “I told you so” after the fact). Ironically, one of my reasons is something you’ve said before: I remember you mentioning that the fighter with the better defense is usually the bigger puncher. I feel that both Canelo and Crawford like to counter in the pocket, but I think Canelo is better at not getting hit in that space. To my untrained eyes, that’s where I think the fight will be decided. An aspect I can’t decide on is who’s more comfortable — or more natural — in violence. It’s a theory of mine that the fighter who is naturally comfortable in violent exchanges, as opposed to one who wills himself through them, usually handles those situations better. I wonder what your thoughts are on that. I hear some Crawford fans saying Canelo should have two more losses and that he didn’t beat anyone in their prime. On the flip side, I hear Canelo fans saying Crawford hasn’t faced anyone. In my eyes, we have two great fighters facing each other, and I’m glad I get to see it. My pick is Canelo by late stoppage or close decision, but I know both guys are special fighters, and I won’t be surprised by any outcome because special fighters find a way to win. Thanks for your time, Bread. Jesse from Alaska
Bread’s response: I respect your pick. But you got my reasoning wrong. I never said the fighter with the better defense is the puncher. What I said is, whoever takes their opponent’s punches better in a fight, is the puncher.
So, for example, Mike Tyson is viewed as a bigger puncher than Evander Holyfield. But Holyfield takes Tyson’s punches better than Tyson takes Holyfield’s. So, therefore, when they actually fight, Holyfield is the puncher.
Canelo has a great chin and great defense. So, he may be the puncher when he faces Bud. I don’t know yet. I have to see how they react towards each other. But I don’t want to underestimate Bud’s chin or will to win. He’s never been officially dropped in a fight yet, just like Canelo. And when he was hurt by Gamboa and Mean Machine, he responded by turning into an animal and scoring KOs.
Hi Breadman, how much credence do you give to memories past? I ask this in relation to the Bohachuk vs Adams fight. On paper Bohachuk should wipe the floor with Adams, but the previous experience must hold weight. This has applied to Roy vs. Tarver, and more recently Allen vs Fisher. The psychological edge that the original favourite previously had, dissipates second time around. It's why I always feel that a fight like Joshua-Ruiz III might work in the latter’s favour, no matter the obvious gulf in quality. Would be great to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
Bread’s response: Great question! Yes, that memory of losing and or being hurt, is a real thing. We have seen it too many times to overlook it. It’s why when a fighter gets revenge on a fighter who beat them, I like to give them a little extra credit. Ray Leonard lost to Roberto Duran. He asked for a rematch immediately. People like to discredit the rematch win because Duran quit. But I don’t. Because if Leonard loses the history of boxing changes.
Same with all the other greats who got revenge on their nemesis. I even like to give extra credit to a fighter, who avenges a KO defeat. PTSD is a real thing in boxing. Let’s see if Bohachuk can overcome it. If he does, it will say a lot about him.
Hey Bread – Really appreciate the thorough response to my question last week… thanks for clarifying. It was way more in line with what I assumed you would think having gotten a sense for what you’re all about through these mailbags. I agree it’s ridiculous that some ‘reputable’ boxing people are actually taking cheap shots at Boots and Rashidi’s character for this. Putting race aside for a minute, isn’t boxing a sport? Do people not understand that competitors at that level want to face the best and see how they will fare and where they stand? I’d have to assume it’s a compliment and an honor for Boots and Rashidi to be asked to share the ring with Canelo. What competitor wouldn’t want to do that? I think people forget that this is their profession and these are prideful athletes who at the core believe they are amongst the best in the world and take every opportunity to prove that to themselves. And I understand that sparring isn’t straight competition, but I believe you can learn enough and answer to yourself, ‘hey I belong in the ring with anyone’. Any athlete that’s serious about their craft and prideful would want that answer and I can’t imagine race is a factor when you think like that. On Canelo you’re right as far as I can tell. He’s not my favorite boxer but, to my knowledge, I don’t think he’s ever been out of line disrespectful to anyone in the boxing world and he certainly hasn’t said anything racist towards black men that I can recall. He responds to aggression every time, which is exactly what he should do… but I don’t remember him being an agitator at all.
The point about black fighters is 100 per cent correct and it’s a tough one to understand but Boots and Crawford are both living proof. The NFL and NBA does a really good job marketing their black stars but it’s hard to understand why that hasn’t translated to boxing. Crawford carries himself exactly like a boxer should. He’s lived a clean life outside of the ring with no legal troubles at all. He’s actually a great role model for a middle American athlete. Boots, what can I say. If you like watching a complete fighter with style how do you not like watching him?
On the fight: I’m pulling for Crawford but I’m worried about the extra weight slowing him down later in the fight. I can’t get the image of Canelo ripping those vicious right hands to the body if Bud gets trapped up against the ropes and I can see it taking steam out of him and impacting his late round performance. If Bud can hurt him early (which nobody has been able to do) that’s his path to controlling the pace of the fight and ultimately winning. Somehow, someway, he has to be the first to hurt Canelo and ideally within the first two rounds. Otherwise, I see a close split decision going to Canelo…I hope I’m wrong.
Bread’s response: I agree 100 per cent on Boots and Ellis. It’s really nothing more to be said. Bringing race into a sparring session under these circumstances, is so ridiculous we are doing it a disservice by even speaking on it extensively.
I don’t think Bud has to visibly hurt Canelo in order to beat him. He just has to win seven out of 12 rounds. I also disagree that no one has ever hurt Canelo. Just because you don’t show it, it doesn’t mean you have not been hurt. Jose Cotto visibly hurt Canelo. And I believe a couple of other fighters buzzed him. Not so much had him on queer street but they hit him with a hard buzzing shot to put things in perspective. Canelo has too many career fights to not have ever been hurt. We just haven’t seen it. Never forget this. Any man can be hurt. Canelo is human. Crawford can not only hurt him, but he can stop him if he hits him right.
So, I was watching a Jonny Arnett video on YouTube where he reacted to a list of the NBA's Most Underrated Players (his channel is excellent and worth checking out if you're looking for good NBA stuff to watch). I won't go into details about the list because that's beside the point, but there was one thing that caught my attention in that video. He made a distinction between terms. He mentioned how there's a difference between "under-recognized", "underrated", and "under-appreciated". That stuck with me because I know you've made similar distinctions between underrated and under-appreciated. But the under-recognized was pretty new to me. But I wanted to bring those terms to you and use them through a boxing lens. So, I'll ask you: Who are some boxers you would consider under-recognized? Who are underrated boxers? Who are the ones you think are under-appreciated? P.S.: It's been a while since I've done some mythical matchups, so… Vitali Klitschko vs Sonny Liston; Dmitry Bivol vs Michael Spinks (at 175); Julio Cesar Chavez vs Terence Crawford (at 140).
Bread’s response: Most Underrated: Michael Spinks, Michael Nunn, Azumah Nelson and Donald Curry.
Most Under Recognized: Wilfredo Gomez
Most Under Appreciated: Eder Jofre, Ricardo Lopez and Dick Tiger.
Send CONCISE comments & questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com
