By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards
Another edition of the Daily Bread Mailbag, with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards answering a variety of questions - including Adrien Broner vs. Shawn Porter, Floyd Mayweather blasted his dad, Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook, and more.
I just wanted to share a few observations and get your take on Broner-Porter:
1. Broner's punch output was anemic and 26 punches per round won't get it done unless you have devastating power. Adrien could get away with that at 130-135 but he seemed to think he could treat Shawn Porter like he was Eloy Perez. What do you make of "The Problem" and his chances to make an impact at 140? Should he try going back to 135?
2. Shawn Porter's jab was extremely effective when he chose to utilize it. He didn't use it much but he got inside on Broner a lot easier when he did. Where do you rate Shawn based on his latest performance? How does he match up with Amir Khan, Keith Thurman, and Tim Bradley?
Peace,
William in West Palm
Bread’s Response: I think you can throw 26 punches/round if you have devastating power or untouchable defense where you barely get touched. You can’t throw 26 punches/round and get hit as often as Broner does.
What’s odd is I think Porter made the weight better than Broner did. He looked less agitated at the weigh in and I believe he is the more dedicated athlete. I also believe that Porter has the right team around him to make sure he rehydrates and replenishes properly. I bring that up because I think Broner will struggle to make 140. I really do. So while there may be less shark in the water at 140 I believe the weight is harder for him to make. You also have to remember when you have less success doing something it becomes harder to go through it again. Broner just loss again so his next training camp will be more difficult. And 135 is out of the question.
Broner uses a stance where a 1-2-1 is very effective, because he’s anticipating a hook as the clean up shot. And a strong jab up the middle is perfect. Shawn was landing a beautiful power jab. He actually gave Broner a break he could have used it more.
Porter performed well, especially considering he’s a 147 pounder not a 144 pounder. I think Shawn matches up well with Amir Khan and Tim Bradley. He would make Khan very uncomfortable because he would invade his space and Khan can’t infight. Porter and Bradley are very similar, with Porter being a better puncher but Bradley being a better boxer. I think Thurman would be a little troublesome because Shawn likes to press and Keith is sort of like Acelino Freitas where he is a skittish power puncher. He wants you to come into him so it can accentuate his power.
What did you think of Floyd Mayweather’s criticism of his father who had harsh criticism towards Adrien Broner? Do you think Floyd has changed because in the past he has been overly critical of fighters also?
Bread’s Response: I’m glad Floyd Jr. did that. I know he has been critical of guys in the past also but his father is absolutely over the top. I think Floyd Sr. is a great trainer, one of the best ever. But I really believe he’s too harsh that’s why he doesn’t get the fighters or credit he deserves. It’s one thing to respectfully have an opinion, it’s something different to insult. Floyd Sr. repeatedly insults fighters and there is no place in boxing for such negativity.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. gave a great response to his dad highlighting that Adrien Broner made John Molina look like an amateur and Mickey Bey, a Floyd Sr. trained fighter, lost to Molina. He put his dad in his place with that point. I also believe that Floyd Jr. finds it insulting that his dad openly insults a kid he’s trying to take under his wing and whose last fight he promoted.
Do you think Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter should give Errol Spence a shot or are they correct in saying Spence needs to do more? Both seem a little agitated that Floyd Mayweather is playing matchmaker for them.
Bread’s Response: There is no right or wrong answer. Here is the thing I can understand it from both ways. Spence is a supreme talent and he would give both Thruman and Porter tough fights. But at the same time I hear where Thurman and Porter are coming from. They feel like they had to pay their dues and they were forced to fight much tougher fights before they had their so called breakthrough fights, so why should they give Spence a shot without him having to pay dues. So it’s a good two sided argument.
Spence’s talent and upside does not match his resume. If he fought a couple of undefeated prospects, or an ex world champion or someone in the top 10 his case would be easier to make. But unfortunately he hasn’t and I don’t think Porter or Thurman will fight him unless they get grossly overpaid to do so.
Hello,
I read your mailbag on boxrec just now. It seems that you saw a lot of the same things that I did when you watched last weekend's big fights.
With that in mind, do you think David Lemieux should avoid GGG for the time being, and bide his time with other opponents, or should his team throw caution to the wind and make that now?
Secondly, do you think Adrien Broner is capable of moving back to 140? I would still enjoy watching him fight guys like Matthysse or Provodnikov.
Lastly, who do you like in Mauricio Herrera vs Hank Lundy? This has the makings of a pretty good fight between solid, workman-like fighters who have complete skillsets, but without any particularly outstanding attributes.
gopal rao
Bread’s Response: As a fight fan I would like to see Lemiuex challenge GGG in September. But if I’m part of Team Lemieux and I’m strictly looking out for David’s best interest, I wait until next year. GGG will be a year older and Lemieux should be a year better.
I think Broner struggles at 140 also if he fights an elite fighter. Everyone says he should go to 140 but he hasn’t fought an elite fighter at 140. Carlos Molina and John Molina are not elite. Matthysse is elite and that’s a tough fight for Broner. Adrien simply won’t let his hands go when he’s in tough. He’s fast but he doesn’t seem to have mind quickness as far as his punch release. He’s always looking and posing.
I think Lundy upsets Herrera. Lundy is a solid boxer and he has a good workrate. Lundy has a shaky chin and it has cost him some fights. But Herrera never scores kos so Lundy’s chin shouldn’t come into play in this fight. Herrera has had some tough luck but he also received a gift vs Michael Dallas Jr. And let’s not forget Karim Mayfield soundly outboxed. He has trouble with the urban rhythm. Lundy fights out of Philadelphia…. I believe he wins the decision.
Bradley/Vargas...the powers at be were trying to sell us this Jessie Vargas. He's had several gift type decisions coming into this fight but they are trying to make him into some kind of star. He was even close to getting the pacquiao fight. So he gets his big fight against Bradley and does nothing for the first 11 rounds and 2:45. He backed up the whole fight, hardly throwing punches. Erik Morales is in the corner imploring his fighter to throw combinations, trust your conditioning, all the while the commentators are talking about how competitive the fight is and how good of a fighter he is! Also, let's not overlook that this was no great performance by Bradley. He was just more willing. So then with 15 seconds left in the fight, after doing nothing for the whole fight, Vargas lands a nice right hand that hurts Bradley. Bradley did the right thing and held on. Vargas wouldn't of gotten the knockout in those last 7 seconds. So now, because that ONE punch, HBO is going to be bring this guy back trying to label him as this huge, Trinidad like, puncher.
Mark my words. I've already heard people compare this fight it chavez vs taylor. BULLSH*T! It's not like Vargas fought his ass off all night and then landed a good punch at the end. Believe me, this loss will help Vargas more than any of his wins. Take john Molina for example. He knocked down Matthysse. He put up a good fight for a while, but then he got battered and stopped. After that fight he was being billed as this super aggressive action packed brawler. He even gets chosen for a PBC fight against a big name fighter in Broner. In leading up to the fight I kept hearing the promoters, fighters, and trainers trying to builds Molina up. Everyone was talking about his "style". Everyone loves his "style" and will make for a great fight with broner. Well I'm sorry bit Molina dosent have a "style". He walks forward and looks to land the right hand.
That's it. If you want to call that a style then go ahead. These guys we watch are PRO BOXERS! Landing a good right hand shouldn't get you pay days for the rest of your lives.
Peace out bread.
Bread’s Response: You know you make an interesting point. I always felt Vargas was very lucky. His close decision wins weren’t robberies but it is something to think about when the same guy keeps getting the benefit of the doubt time after time.
But now that Vargas is on that other end, I’m sure he views it as a huge injustice. And guess what, he’s right. The referee flat out made a hug mistake. We can all assume we know what would have happened but that’s not the point. Bradley deserved those last few seconds to show us has indomitable will and refuses to be stopped. Vargas deserved those last few seconds to show us he doesn’t need the help of judges and that he’s the real deal. It’s life way of circling the block. Sometimes you get the breaks sometimes you don’t.
John Molina is a different story. He has been forgiven for lots of bad performances and losses. Vargas never officially loss until last night. In fairness to Molina he did beat Hank Lundy and Mickey Bey but after losing 3 in a row on big platforms I get what you are saying. Its looking like now he will get another big payday vs Omar Figueroa. Oh well some guys get all the breaks. Poor Josh Clottey loses 1 fight in his whole career convincingly and has not been TV for 5 years. I guess it’s the way it is….
Who would you favor in a fight between Kell Brook and Amir Khan? You seem to favor Brook but he’s not an inside fighter and he likes to box. He seems to be right up Khan’s alley.
Bread’s Response: I do favor Brook. And you’re right he doesn’t have the style that seems to give Khan fits. But I just think Brook has passed Khan in terms of performance ability over the last 18 months. We all seem to keep waiting for Khan to be this great fighter because he has great potential. But after over 10 years as a pro I think what we are seeing is what he is. And that’s a very talented and fast fighter who is inconsistent at the top level.
Khan has a bizarre sense of entitlement about himself which helps and hinders him at the same time. He really believes he’s as good as Mayweather and Pacquiao. That’s a good thing because he’s supposed to be confident. But at the same time he’s always justifying his poor performances with BS excuses. In his last fight he all but said his trainer over trained him. His grandiose view of himself just couldn’t come to grips with the fact that Algieri gave him hell and Pacquiao dominated Algieri. So Khan has to justify it someway in his mind.
Brook is too even tempered for Khan. He may not have overwhelming athleticism but this isn’t basketball he doesn’t need it. He’s athletic enough. He has a great body for a 147lb fighter. He’s very evenly proportioned. He also has a strong back which is overlooked in strengthening. Most fighters want the pretty muscles but the neglect the back. I bring this up because I watched how he was able to hold ground when Shawn Porter was trying to muscle him. Although he may not be an inside fighter I believe he will be able to muscle Amir around especially late in the fight if it goes that far.
Brook also is quick minded. Because he doesn’t get rattled often he can see the openings and he can release the shot. Smooth and to the point of contact. So while his speed may not match Khan’s his quickness surpasses Khan. This fight will look similar to Juan Manuel Marquez and Derrick Gainer. Gainer was the faster fighter but Marquez the quicker one. Marquez beat him to the punch because he processes the opening quicker than Gainer did. I believe Brook will dot he same thing to Khan.
Last but not least Brook is in a groove. He’s riding really high and he’s been lights out since his 1st fight with Carson Jones. He hasn’t lost many rounds since that fight. Maybe a handful. When a fighter gets in that kind of groove in his peak years look out. Brook is in a groove.
send questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com