By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards
The Daily Bread mailbag is back, with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards discussing Miguel Cotto vs. Saul Alvarez, Shawn Porter vs. Adrien Broner and more.
What's good Bread? I think you are the best in the biz at fight break downs. I hope you continue to post your mailbags, as I love reading how you break down fights. Couple questions:
Cotto vs Canelo- Love to hear your take- I see it as Canelo being able to take Cotto's punches, and Cotto not being able to take his. I see a very close competitive fight for about 8 rounds or so, and I see Canelo catching him with something big later in the fight and finishing him.
Porter vs Broner- I think Porter wipes the floor with him. He suffocates Broner and breaks his will much like Maidana did, just more precise. I think he KO's Broner in the mid rounds. I don't think he will let Broner fight at the pace he wants, and I think it wont be close. You?
Interesting you mentioned Tureano vs GGG in your last bag- I know the trainer of TJ and he is the real deal. Got hosed on a stoppage in a fight he was dominating but he is a suffocating, intense come forward fighter. I think GGG is too much for him, but it would be interesting to see him fight someone of that style.
As for your Eagles- I am a big Bradford fan and your HC is a genius. You have no idea how good SB is and you are going to be quite happy when you see him throwing. Obviously everything depends on his knees, but if they indeed hold up, you upgraded significantly at QB for that system- trust me on this.
Bullet Bob
Bread’s Response: Cotto vs Canelo is mouth watering. Both of these guys are very similar I have observed a few differences. Cotto catches his rhythm from the bounce. He also jabs off of the move. Cotto is more in sync with his feet. Canelo seems a little faster but I’m not sure he’s as quick. Cotto really seems to be in a groove under Gavin McMillian and Freddie Roach. He also has not taken much punishment in his last few fights. That’s a good thing going into a high contact shootout.
I agree with you Canelo gives me the impression he can take more than Cotto. But I am not going to stamp that. I have seen Canelo hit I have not seen him beat up. There is a difference. I have seen Cotto beat up. Pacquiao and Margarito beat the fight out of him but he put up tough fights. Judah, Mosley, Clottey and Ricardo Torres made Cotto dig deep.
The other factor to me is Cotto’s jab. It’s one of the best ever from a shorter fighter, especially one with not so long arms. If I felt Cotto could take the punishment without visible effect I would pick him. The better boxer usually win this type of fight 70% of the time. But taking that punishment is so important in shootout, so as of now I’m leaning Canelo.
Porter vs Broner is a tough one to me to. I like both kids. Broner is the more accurate, sharper boxer. Porter is the stronger, more conditioned fighter. Broner showed me a discipline fight last time out vs John Molina but I don’t like the usual counterproductive posturing he goes in, when in tough fights. If he does that in this fight he will get stopped. Porter is a bull.
Porter’s performance against Kell Brook is looking better now that we have seen more of Brook. But Porter has a leaky defense and soft tissue around his eyes which I believe will be a factor with the weight cut and sharp punches from Broner.
Porter has programmed head movement in which he tries to implement but his natural defensive reflexes are not very good. He’s easy to hit and he tips off his attack with a sort of “squat-squat-jump in” cadence. Once he rises up he’s there for a counter right hand every time.
In this fight we also need to know who the referee is. If he allows Porter to work then we could have trouble for Broner. If he breaks fast then Porter will have to reset. I have no idea who will win this fight but if you twist my arm. I will say the sharper Broner. But the pick scares me because Vegas has Shawn as the favorite and Vegas is correct 80% of the time. I have no confidence in my pick for this fight, but I’m just guessing that Broner’s sharpness will trump Porter’s volume. Porter is fast but not very accurate. Look for him to do his best work in the clinches.
There is an old saying that goes the best soldiers are volunteers. Tureano Johnson seems to want a piece of GGG. I think it would make for a great Tv fight. Tureano has pedigree, a tough style and a great fighting attitude. His problem in my opinion is he doesn’t have the business “push” behind him to get the media and public on his side to get this fight. We shall see I hope he gets it and I hope he doesn’t over train and burn himself out if he does. He’s an intense guy.
I hope Bradford can play this year. I heard he’s limping around camp, which is not a good sign. We shall see….. I love the Eagles but they have broken my heart more times than any women ever has. I still bleed green though.
Bread,
Your MB is as good as it ever was…
Kobe, nor Lebron will EVER touch Jordan! Kobe was close. Lebron is a gentleman, a diplomat! Jordon was an assassin!! Jordan NEVER lost in the finals! Jordan’s defensive prowess and offensive versatility has both men beat. Jordan also had more willpower! I believe if Jordan hadn’t left the game to play baseball (a two year suspension for gambling it is rumored to be) he would’ve won 8 Titles.
DEFENSIVELY Floyd Mayweather ranks near the top in boxing, that will be his greatest legacy! Depending on how Floyd finishes off his career will determine how he fairs in the Top 100, 50, 25 rankings ALL TIME, as opposed to some of the other greats who finished poorly but did much more work during their prime years. IMO Floyd has nothing to prove, but considering he’s fighting his last fight in September, he’ll be expected to fight a tough SOB, because his critics still consider him a fraud. Looks like it could be Khan (I doubt this), could be Kell Brook; GGG? Shawn Porter if he beats Broner?
James toney was a virtuoso who stayed in the ring too long!
Garcia is kind of like Khan (minus the KO losses) where people are doubting him. I thought he clearly lost to both Herrera and Peterson. Peterson had him out on his feet in the 2nd half of their fight. Paulie Malignaggi might surprise him.
Miguel Cotto is a HOF fighter already. He’s done as much and more than Felix Trinidad.
Bread’s response: I consider you my boxing buddy Rob and we never personally met. Glad to see you are still following me. I don’t think Kobe or Lebron will pass MJ either. Kobe’s chance is over his career is already pretty much written.
I love Bron but I don’t think they put the right teams around him. As much as he wins he never has played on what you would call a great team. He has to do way too much. I know his personality rubs some people the wrong way but I don’t mind it. I will use a boxing analogy. Michael Jordan is an assassin with the personality of say Aaron Pryor in the ring. He wants to kill you. Well Lebron may not want to kill in Jordan’s fashion but he wants to win like say Muhammad Ali who is less intense in a way and not known to be a killer but wants to win as bad as anyone. Lebron is a gamer, he plays hard, he’s willing to will his team to great heights. I think it’s a myth he’s not a killer, he’s just a different type of killer. You don’t put up 41-12-8 in the finals and not be one. I just think he has too much responsibility and it wears him out. As great as MJ was and he’s the best, not even he could win a title with this Cleveland team. When LBJ is not on the floor they are terrible. Pippen and Kucoch were money when MJ took rest.
Whenever I want a young fighter to see certain things I’m looking for I find myself showing him Floyd. The guy is amazing when you study him. But he decided to call himself TBE and when you do that, people will breakdown your legacy. And you’re right lots of the guys in front of him did much more in their prime years and lots of the historians will hold that in higher regard because they will reason that Floyd lasted so long was because of his misses. I am super interested to see who Floyd fights next. I hope he shocks us and pulls a rabbit out of the hat. He’s in my top 30 already.
Khan does not have the IQ to match Floyd. The only question I have is will Floyd get nasty with him and crowd him, because that is Khan’s weakness. Or will Floyd pot shot him and pick. If he pot shots, Khan is in the fight. If Floyd big dogs him, he kos Khan. At 38 can he press Khan? We shall see.
James Toney was so special it’s sad. His attitude and lack of work ethic really hurt him. I believe he could have been top 25 ever. I just watched him sparring Gerald McClellan on youtube. My goodness he could fight.
I hope Danny can really get back on his hot streak. He has to really hone in on his skillset and work his craft. Danny has succeeded with toughness and a rare gift where he can punch when you punch. But that gift is a circumstantial gift that only occurs under certain circumstances. It’s different than being a master of a skill set. Like Julio Chavez Sr or Floyd Mayweather. I agree Paulie could cause Danny trouble, especially if he mimics Mauricio Herrrera.
Yes Cotto was in the HOF after he beat Yuri Foreman. Everything else is just icing. But I’m not so sure if he did more than Tito. That’s super close as far accomplishments and head to head my eyes always told me Tito was too mean, punched too hard and was too indefatigable.
Bro, haven't read ur mailbag in forever! I cant explain to you how much it means to me. Ur my favorite boxing guy out there. In a sport of conniving it is so refreshing to see a decent man of integrity talk about the sport. I feel like we the same kinda dudes lol! What's going on? Bigger n better things? Thats cool but man im hurting man lol! I'll live but shit! Please let me know. Ur number 1 fan, paul Coronado clovis, nm.
Bread’s Response: Glad you followed me over to boxingscene. There was no formal announcement but here I am. Everything is good over here. Still just a “boxing guy”. Still training future champions. Still being a stand up guy. Thanks and keep following.
How did you grade Wilder’s performance? I saw the power but he just seems more WWE to me than anything else.
Bread’s Response: Wilder came in 10lbs heavier for Eric Molina than he did Bermaine Stiverne. From one fight to the next I think that’s telling. It would suggest to me that he wasn’t as serious for Molina. I thought Wilder did ok but when a fighter is still improving he has to really hone in, in camp. He’s not just fighting his opponent but he’s challenging his learning curve.
Wilder still goes straight back with his head up which is a horrible habit. He also got winded in vs Molina where he showed good stamina vs Stiverne. I would give Wilder a 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. My eyes told me he wasn’t as prepared for Molina as he was for Stiverne. The one thing that Wilder does that really scares me is after he scores a knockdown or lands a big shot he screams and yells to the crowd.
Someone in his corner has to calm Deontay down. When you literally yell and scream it changes your heart rate and it causes fatigue. People probably don’t realize it but when you get into vicious yelling arguments you sweat and need to catch your breath. Now imagine having to do that during a boxing match. Wilder has to be in control of his emotions. Alexander Povetkin could be next. He has serious pedigree and he has looked tremendous as of late. Wilder needs to be in the condition he was in for Stiverne to deal with Povetkin.
What's up Bread,
First off congrats on J Rock's Big Win. He is an exceptional young fighter and his performance was beautiful to watch, very impressive. He is one of my three favorite American fighters alongside Crawford and Gausha. With that said they all have something in common in their offensive arsenal that many fighters do not and that is they have and use a very educated and accurate right hand in the orthodox stance. They can double and triple the right hand up, straighten and hook the right,they can roll and fire back the right, they pull/slip counter with the right and lead with the rights. My question is how responsible are the trainers in the development of a fighters style? Some trainers are very traditional and may say no you cant lead with a left hook or right hand or hook the right hand depending on their fighters. Also, Is it more of the fighter or trainers responsibility in the style of fighter? The reason I also ask this question is in many gyms you will see a small group of good fighters with all different styles taught by the same coach. Do you believe that fighters often develop a certain style or temperament based off the other fighters in their gym. Example some fighters may develop a more defensive style just based on who they had to spar while coming up. But I also see certain fighters that have similar styles with the same trainers; Nacho Bernstein and Barry hunter fighters tend to be similar. I'm just curious on your take on this; you are very good trainer and as the accolades continue, I hope you get the credit you deserve.
Bread’s Response: Ironically it took a while to develop JW’s right hook. Obviously a trainer is responsible for the development of a fighter’s style but there is more to it. Body type, temperament and physical gifts also play a part in it. A trainer has to be the overseer but he also has to be flexible and recognize certain things. A trainer has to know the difference between forcing something on a fighter that is uncomfortable and counterproductive. If a fighter has to do something that is uncomfortable but it works he has to be mentally strong enough to perform and execute. It’s difference in doing something that is counterproductive. It took me 2 years to get JW to throw a right hook. But once he had success with it, it became part of his arsenal.
Sure you can look at certain fighters and tell who their trainers are. All trainers have their specific teachings. It’s just up to the trainer and fighter to compliment each other and form a chemistry because everything is not for everybody. A good coach and good fighter will teach each other.
What do you make of Team Porter complaining about the catchweight now that the fight is on the horizon? Will you ever let a fighter fight in a catchweight fight? Do you think it will affect the outcome? Would you have let Porter fight at the catchweight?
Bread’s Response: I think sometimes you can agree to something but after you sit back and think about it, you can start to regret your decision. I think Team Porter knows they have compromised their chances to win. It doesn’t mean that they won’t win but their chances have gone down. 144lbs is very unnatural for Shawn Porter to make and he’s going to suffer mentally and physically leading up to the weigh in. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes in below 147 but above 144. Team Porter got milked at the negotiation table.
Depending on what time of day they get reweighed that will also be a major factor. People are upset about this but Team Broner did a great job for their fighter. It’s their job to get the advantages for their fighter.
Making weight is stressful more than anything else. From the time you check in the guest hotel, weight is the main topic of discussion. After the weigh in the stress is over, But with the rehydration clause. Team Porter will be under continued stress because Shawn Porter can only drink and eat so much before the second weigh in.
Porter had lots of options and he’s in a good position in boxing. He’s not some older fighter on his last legs that has to take anything they throw at him. He could have fought Keith Thurman. Hell No I wouldn’t have done it. Each case should be judged specifically and in Porter’s specific case, no way do I let him come down to face a fast fighter where his reaction time will be needed. Your reaction time gets dulled when you are depleted.
Sure I would let a fighter fight in a catchweight. But it depends on the fighter. For example lets say you have a fighter who fights at 154. But he’s huge for the weight and he comes down from over 170. If he gets offered a catchweight to fight at say 157 against a limited middleweight, you take that fight. He’s going to be stronger at 157 anyway. It all depends on the fighter and the situation he’s in.
But if I get offered a catchweight of 150 for that same fighter and he’s facing a great welterweight in a 50/50 fight I don’t do it. You have to know your fighter and the circumstances and it’s important you don’t compromise performance for money.
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