The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edward tackling topics such as Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith, the recent win by Chris Colbert, the recent KO defeat suffered by Felix Verdejo, the win by Shakur Stevenson, the Hall of Fame, and more.
What’s up Bread !
Hope you and yours still fine.
You noticed a perfect point in your last mailbag. When I watched EJ vs Danny Garcia, the only real change I noticed with EJ was his body langage while taking body shots. I never saw him react like that, and with a accurate body puncher like Crawford that could be a big weakness (if this fight ever happen !).
What did you think about Colbert performance ? Something tell me that if he fights Tank, it will be dangerous for him because he is not defensivly responsive enough. But this kid can fight !
I also feel bad for Korobov, in my opinion he could have been one the most skillfull fighter at 160. What do you think about his stance ? His footwork and balance are almost perfect to me.
Thanks for your time !
Max from France
Bread’s Response: Sometimes fighters pick up little ticks or habits in the gym. Maybe that’s what Spence was doing when he was avoiding Garcia’s body shot. Let’s see it moving forward.
I was really impressed with Colbert. He’s what I’m talking about when I say a kid has elite level talent. His talent level is extreme. He may not be a top 20 fighter in boxing. But he’s a top 20 talent.
I have seen about 5 or 6 of his fights and this was by far his best performance. I think he realized that you he doesn’t have to OVER MOVE or casual term RUN from a puncher. He had the better reflexes, skill and faster hands. So he made the puncher pay for being a puncher. He stayed within arms reach. He didn’t let his opponent get a full head of steam and he punished him. That was a MATURE performance by Colbert.
Colbert and Davis are both in the PBC. I can see that fight being made in 2022. I think it’s too soon right now. But if they both keep winning I think by 2022 it’s HUGE in the Barclay’s. Right now Davis is the more advanced fighter. But that doesn’t mean he’s better. They have to decide that in the ring.
Korobov has an elite skill set. He never gets outboxed or outclassed. He gave Charlo his toughest fight and made a case for winning that fight. I don’t think I have ever seen such bad fortune for a fighter as have for Korobov.
Korobov was with Top Rank but he seemed to be developing slow for such an outstanding amateur. Along the way he outboxes Jose Uzcategi. He finally gets a title shot and he’s outboxing Andy Lee and gets clipped.
He starts to make his way back and fights Jermall Charlo. Korobov was a nightmare stylistically for Charlo. Just watch the fight. He landed counter left hand after left hand. In my opinion it was hard to tell who actually won. He didn’t get the decision but he got the respect from the people who knew what they were watching. So that’s his 2nd loss.
Since the outstanding Charlo performance he hasn’t won a fight. He gets robbed in a draw vs Imanuel Aleem.
He was hitting Chris Eubank with the same sharp left hand he hits everyone with and he injures himself and loses.
Then the same exact thing happened on Saturday vs Ronald Ellis. Another injury in a fight where he was showing the better skillset.
I have never witnessed anything like this before. It’s insane how bad his Korobov’s fortune is. It’s why in boxing the official verdict of a fight is so important. Despite Korobov being highly skilled he doesn’t get the official decisions he needs. He may go down as the most skilled fighter of this era to NOT win a world title.
Breadman,
It’s been a long time since I’ve written and first want to thank you for giving so much of yourself to boxing. The extra frequency of the daily mailbag in April blessed me when I was struggling to accept the quarantine lockdown.
What do your keen eyes see at 130. I think Tank is the boss dog, while also thinking Berchelt is a beast and would be difficult for anyone. On Saturday I was really impressed with Chris Colbert and my eyes finally registered what you said about shakur Stevenson 18 months ago at featherweight-you wouldn’t pick anyone at 126 ahead of him. Throw in Lomachenko JoJo Diaz, presumably Gary Rusell Jr and Jamel Herring and you have deep competition. Who are your top 5 at 130 assuming Loma heals fine and who do you take in 2021 in MM: shakur vs Berchelt, Shakur vs Tank.
This is not a nitpick just a question. The one thing I saw about Shakur that Concerned me was he keeps his mouth open consistently and at times he had his tongue fully out of his mouth kind of like Jordan when going to the hole. his eyes are so good he sees everything and I am a balancing what I think is a sign of utter relaxation with the danger of getting a jaw injury. Is the open mouth a cause for correction or concern or much ado about nothing.
Billy Bomaye
Bread’s Response: You’re welcome.
Junior lightweight is showing to be just as deep as lightweight. It may be even deeper because Tank Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko can fight in either division.
My top 5 are Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko, Tank Davis, Miguel Berchelt and Jo Jo Diaz. I would put Gary Russell in there but as far as I know he’s still a featherweight.
I won’t pick anyone to beat Shakur Stevenson until further notice. He may be the most difficult fighter to beat in boxing. He gives less opportunities than anyone. His skillset completely neutralizes his opponent’s offense.
I didn’t notice Stevenson’s mouth open. I thought he was smiling at Clary. Obviously anyone can get their jaw broken but his sense of AWARENESS is off the charts. He’s the kind of kid you don’t have to remind of anything. He’s aware of everything. His concentration level is insane. What he has is hard to describe in words. But I will try.
He has savant like processing ability of when to avoid punches and when to throw punches. He stifles his opponent’s offense with his awareness. They can’t even thinking about throwing a shot without him knowing what they will throw. It’s like a hitter who has eyes in the back of his head. He knows the pitch that the catcher is calling without taking his eye off the pitcher.
Offensively Stevenson throws his punches in a way where it’s extremely hard to counter him. His opponents sort of submit to his skill and will. The only thing he doesn’t do is hit his opponents with kill shots that they don’t see and that’s why he doesn’t score a load of kos. But that’s nitpicking. It’s not even really a flaw. I just think it’s the reason why he only has 8 kos.
Stevenson has a chance to be ATG level good. I know everyone likes punchers but this kid could be the best fighter of the next decade. He’s not the most exciting but he may be the most impressive. He should age well because he doesn’t get hit. I still say Jaron Ennis is the best young fighter 23 and under. But Stevenson is right with him. Special talent.
Hey Bread,
How good is Colbert, what odds would you set for him against Berchelt, Herring, Diaz and Tank.
If 130 would have a super six of those 5 plus Stevenson. Who would you favor and why?
Bread’s Response: Odds. Now you know setting odds is different from who I think will win. Colbert is very, very, very good. Tremendous talent who seems to be hitting his stride.
Ok so Colbert vs Berhcelt. I think Berchelt would open as a -200 favorite. The betting public is more familiar with Berchelt and their number of fights are in favor of Berchelt.
Colbert vs Herring. I think Colbert would open as a -200 favorite. Herring has 2 losses. He’s in his mid 30s. And the eye ball test says Colbert is more talented.
Colbert vs Diaz I think this fight would be dead even. Both guys would be at -105. I think because of Diaz’s performance vs another fast southpaw and his experience the public would think the fight is even.
Colbert vs Davis I think Davis would open as a -250 favorite. Davis could be the best puncher in boxing. I also think the odds makers feel as though if Davis is taking the fight then he’s going to win it.
Bread,
What are you thoughts on Verdejo after his last fight?
Seemed liked he was in shape, focused and with the right trainer.
Is his biggest weakness mental, or a spot inside the left part of his chest?
I couldn't keep watching the fight after he was hurt, once I saw his body language I changed the channel.
I once saw him as the next PR superstar, now I'm not sure if it's safe for him to keep fighting.
Thanks for your mailbag.
Bread’s Response: I feel gutted for Felix Verdejo, literally gutted. His trainer Ismael Salas did a great job in bringing him back. But at some point the improvement has to come from within. All good trainers have good intent and for their instructions and directions to work. Some fighters can carry it out and some can’t.
Here is the thing. All fighters have tendencies and/or flaws. But the fighters who rise higher have tangibles or intangibles that make up for their flaws.
Verdejo is fast. He’s skillful. He can punch and he has pedigree. But he gets fatigued and he gets hurt. So his chin and his stamina don’t bail him out of adversity. Where as say a fighter with similar qualities like Shane Mosley has a better chin and better stamina so Mosley becomes a HOF level talent. Mosley and Verdejo have similar offensive skills and size at lightweight. But Mosley’s chin is what allows him to be better.
That being said I think it’s more than chin and stamina. I think Felix loses COMPOSURE under fire. Kell Brook has proven to be better but they have similar issues. They don’t react well to consistent resistance. In most fights you have resistance especially at the top level. But not all fighters let that resistance turn into adversity. Neither deals with adversity well. Verdejo starts to look around. He starts to GRIN in panic not pleasure. He submits to the adversity. People criticize the kid and say he has NO chin. He doesn’t have an iron chin but it’s his composure more so than his chin. It’s him panicking when he needs that 2nd wind. It’s Felix trying to punch hard and get the fight over with instead of feeling comfortable in the ring. Enjoying himself in there. He doesn’t. He loads up more and more and loses form more and more as the fight goes on.
Juan Manuel Marquez has been seriously hurt several times. I’ve seen him dropped hard vs Pacman, Floyd, Barrera and Katsiditis. But he NEVER gets stopped. It’s not because his chin is so great. He’s hurt and wobbly legged. But he stays composed under the fire. He doesn’t PANIC.
I know Verdejo’s trainer is the real deal. I know he goes over form and technique. But Panic causes you to forget things. These things have showed up in Verdejo before he took his first loss. I saw him struggle in a couple of developmental fights. I saw him switch trainers a few times. But the answers are WITHIN him. He was looking for something trying to figure it out. He wanted to decide who the CONVEYOR was going to be. I was told a long time ago. Don’t listen to the TONE, listen to the MESSAGE.
I won’t say Verdejo can’t come back from this. Tony Harrison was stopped twice before he won the title. But that’s the only fighter of this era I can think of that was able to overcome that. The matchmaking changes. The energy around you changes. Sometimes the promoter cuts their losses. Sometimes the INVESTORS don’t have it in them to invest in the confidence building process.
I don’t know what Verdejo does in his personal life. I don’t know if he drinks or parties. He knows though. Integrity is do you do the right thing when no one is looking. Felix is going to have to identify the problems. And ALLOW someone to fix them.
I really wish this young man the best of fortune. Taking these type of losses before you made the huge money is gut wrenching because most fighters don’t have other skills besides boxing. I really hope Verdejo can at least win a title. Jorge Linares a similar type fighter has actually had a good career. But it won’t be easy. Linares is rare he’s not the rule but he did show bad ko losses can be turned around.
Who are some fighters you appreciate but may not necessarily love? Like, you may not be a fan of them... but you understand why fans root for them?
Bread’s Response: I never liked some of the mean things Larry Holmes said about Mike Tyson. I never liked how he tried to hurt Muhammad Ali but said he was taking it easy. I wasn’t the biggest Larry Holmes fan.
But boy do I respect him. 7 years a champion. Amazing recuperative skills. Amazing heart. Amazing will. And he was a GUN. He fought Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Ray Mercer as an old man and he was only stopped once in 25 years. Great fighter.
Eusabio Pedraza. I always liked Sal Sanchez more. But looking at Pedraza in his prime. Watching him work vs Patrick Ford. The truth is he was every bit as good as Sanchez. Sanchez was just more well liked.
Carl Froch. I didn’t like some of the comments Froch made about Muhammad Ali and Andre Ward. I didn’t like his stiff style. I didn’t like his ko of Jermaine Taylor. But man I have to respect the guy. He’s not a super talent but he’s a top 10 ever Super Middleweight. He rarely took a soft touch. He fought killer after killer. He avenged one of his career defeats and his only other loss is Andre Ward. Froch is the ultimate overachieving fighter. He WILLED his way to the HOF.
Breadman, I have this question. How do you spot a shot fighter? I was watching BJS VS Martin Murray. Murray is, or has been, a good, solid fighter who has faced top opposition. I actually think he beat Sturm and Abraham. On this day, though, I look at his performance and believe that he is basically shot. I see him stepping to BJS, but can never let his hands go. BJS gets off on him and Murray does not move, just takes every shot, then finds a way to clinch. BJS can’t punch, thank GOD, because he could have hurt the man badly. Yet, he grows frustrated because he can’t put Murray away and hits him low, behind the head and everywhere he can. The ref just goes “along for the ride”.
This is the kind of fight that concerns me. I thought the man needed help and no one cared. The man is not young in boxing terms, and my thought was, can’t they see the man is shot?
Bread’s Response: I think people call a fighter shot too early in boxing. Some fighters slip and they get called shot. That’s not shot. That’s just slipping. Shot I feel like is when you get to a point when you get dominated or beat up by opponents you would otherwise dominate.
I didn’t watch Saunders vs Murray but I take your word. Murray has been slipping for a while.
The thing I observe about shot fighters is their TRIGGER PULL. In boxing people say power is the last thing to go. But if you look ko% goes down as fighters get older because they can’t pull the trigger anymore. Look at George Foreman for example. He went the distance in his last 4 fights in a row. And 5 of his last 6. Foreman may be the best puncher and strongest man in history. The reason why he went the distance was because of his trigger pull. He was getting shot.
So I notice slightly slower trigger pull and slower processing. Roy Jones was still fast after he slipped. But he was no longer QUICK. He didn’t process the same anymore after Tarver.
So not just a bad night. But a bad sequence of events lets me know. The trigger pull seems slower. You see the openings for the fighter but they leave it on the table. You see when they are being set up for a big shot but the punch still lands.
I watched Meldrick Taylor after Chavez. He was still young. But he only looked good vs Aaron Davis. In all of his other comeback fights he struggled. He rarely scored kos or even knockdowns. And he kept getting hit by more and more shots. See Glenwood Brown and Luis Garcia fights. Meldrick was slipping and becoming shot before our eyes. I hate to say it. I was physically ill when he lost to Chavez. And watching him 2 years later vs Terry Norris and Crisanto Espana I knew what I was looking at. He just couldn’t process what was happening to him anymore.
Wats up Breadman
Hope all is well. How do you feel about the Canelo vs. Smith fight? Personally I think it's a big fight that is technically a unification & has the RING belt on the line. I see people giving Canelo a lot of hate for fighting Smith especilly cause of Ryder ( but I mean Smith could have very easily not gotten up for Ryder but he WILL for Canelo, Millions of $$$ are at stake) but ultimtely I see a tall, durable, and undefeated champion in Smith. Who has the best win between Saunders(@168), Smith, Plant, or Benavidez? Off the top of the head im thinking Dirrell but it is not as if any of the other champions have proven a great deal more than Smith. I got Canelo by late stoppage, the key to the fight to me will be whether Smith can establish the jab/distance and keep Canelo at the end of it or if Canelo can slip his way inside and start chopping that tree down. Do you see any key spots that either needs to focus on and can you tell me how you feel the ramifications of the fight will play out at 168?
Bread’s Response: Canelo can’t get any flack for fighting an undefeated RING Magazine Champion. This is a real fight. And it’s a tougher fight than Kovalev was. Kovalev has a big name but his punch resistance is gone. His muscle tone is dissipating. And he’s much older than Smith.
Smith is just about even with Benavidez, Plant and Saunders give or take a smidge here or there. Out of the 3 I think Plant is the hardest stylistically for Canelo. But as far as accomplishments and who can beat who. They have to decide it in the RING. All four are undefeated. If Canelo fights them all before they fight each other, it won’t help them in the negotiations or in terms of getting better. Sometimes a fighter needs a tough fight to improve.
I think offensively Smith is the real deal. But besides Tyson Fury recently I haven’t seen a UK fighter who was ELITE defensively in terms of taking something away from an elite offensive fighter. If you watch Canelo’s fight with Liam Smith and Rocky Fielding, they literally let him dig in left hooks to their livers over and over. That’s Canelo’s hardest punch and he was able to load up and rip them apart with it. There was no attempt to take it away.
Callum Smith has to figure out a way to blunt Canelo’s offense. He has to do it in a style he’s comfortable with. He can increase his volume. He can make a better use of his jab. I don’t expect him to be a stick and mover. That’s not his game. But he can’t let Canelo load in and tear him apart.
Canelo has to get under Smith’s jab. It’s often assumed the taller man has the advantage jabbing but that’s not always true. Canelo’s jab is elite. The shorter man can outjab the taller man, if he does so from the correct angle. Emille Griffith did it for years. And he was a 5’7 middleweight.
What worries me for Smith is his long torso and how he holds his hands. He can’t do anything about his body. It’s how he’s build. But I expect Canelo to really go after his body. I also expect this to be a mid range fight. Smith likes it there. Canelo is a master there also. Smith has long arms but he has to bring them back in place because Canelo is the best counter puncher in boxing. Smith does have a nasty catch n counter left hook and upper cut. I’ve been watching him hit the pads.
Smith holds his hands UP and IN to his face. Shorter fighters love this because they don’t have to sort through the hands and legs of the taller opponent. They can get in his space easier. So while Smith looks for his counter hook from that stance, he gives up a lot waiting for it.
I think we are going to see a shootout. 5 or 6 weeks to get ready is all you need if you stay in shape. You only have to peak out once. And you make everyday count because you know you don’t have time to waste.
Bread,
First time reaching out. My best friend Billy Bomaye has been emailing you for years and I have appreciated your work through him. FYI I grew up outside Philly in Sharon Hill. My dad taught school up in North Philly for 40 years, my wife went to HS in NP & then Temple and I have about 50 relatives scattered all throughout the city.
So in watching the fights post Covid with no crowds one can obviously hear so much more of what goes on in the ring. I have always heard fighters grunt somewhat when they punch but in the Shakur fight it was extra noticeable with the frequency, consistency and volume of his grunting while throwing punches.
Is that something that is taught when first learning to box? If so, what is the purpose? Or is it more reflexive? Do some fighters not grunt at all? Can it be a disadvantage to grunting which tips off when someone will let go of their hands? Are their historical examples of boxers who were either excessive or more quiet with this?
Appreciate any insight. Stay safe. Happy holidays my man.
Marc
Bread’s Response: Fighters are taught to let the air out when they punch. So there will be a noise upon impact. As far as how loud the noise is that depends on the fighter. I don’t like open mouth loud grunts because I feel like you can get your jaw broken if the opponent punches with you. I also think it can tip off the attack but you have to be elite to pick up on that.
Dear Mr. Edwards,
Usyk and his team have been adamant to the media they want Joshua next and are not interested in a step aside deal. While I agree Usyk has every right to enforce his mandatory status I suspect there is another reason for his urgency. Usyk has had I believe two training camp injuries since moving up to heavyweight that have delayed fights. Do you think his sense of urgency possibly comes from knowing that his body will not be able to take many more heavyweight training camps? Usyk has spent the vast majority of his boxing life at cruiserweight and even lighter weights in the amateurs. For context I looked up that Holyfield moved up to heavyweight at age 26 and Usyk did so at 32. Would appreciate any thoughts you have.
Bread’s Response: I think Usyk lost his momentum he had after winning the Series at Cruiserweight. He won 2018 FOY and he never really capitalized on his run. If anything that’s the urgency. To get his mojo back.
If we are honest Usyk has not lit the world on fire at heavyweight. But in fairness to him, he had a few fights like that at Cruiserweight also. Maybe he’s a well rounded guy and not an offensively dynamic guy. Offensive guys look better in showcase fights. But well rounded guys can sort of fight as good as they have to. My best examples are Shane Mosley an offensive guy vs Vernon Forest a well rounded guy. And Felix Trinidad an offensive guy vs Bernard Hopkins a well rounded guy. By looking at Mosley and Trinidad they look to be better than Forest and Hopkins. But they weren’t when they fought. Usyk was that at Cruiserweight. Let’s see if he is at heavyweight. I’m not sold on what I’ve seen at heavyweight but I do expect him to raise his game. He seems to be that type of fighter.
I think he knows he’s in a little slump and when any athlete is in a slump they want more chances. They become anxious. That’s normal for a competitive person.
Peace and blessings as always sir. Much respect to the mailbag, I learn a new angle on the sport everytime I read this mailbag. A year ago I emailed you about the criteria for an athlete to be considered a hall of gamer in their respective sports. Looking over the ibhof classes of 2020 and 2021 I am interested in your take specifically on the first ballot fighters. If the writers are keeping Mr. James Toney out but allowing Sugar Shane first ballot there is definitely inconsistency. Miguel Cotto not being given first ballot entry is rough. He may not be an ATG or greater or better overall than SOG or even Wlad K. But the man earned first ballot in my opinion. The first 140lb champion to win lineal at 160lb. First PR fighter to win 4 in 4 weight classes. Am I missing something here? Respect always and thank you for your time sir.
Jack From Detroit
Bread’s Response: When someone says any athlete should be 1st ballot HOF I always say it depends on who’s going in that year. This year it was close but we know Floyd Mayweather was going to be #1. So you have 2 spots left. I think in terms of who was the best fighter and had the greatest career. I think Toney and Ward have a slight edge over Cotto and Wlad. But Cotto won 4 divisions titles as you said. So his accomplishments are on par with theirs and may be slightly better.
Honestly I rate all of them over Wlad but I think heavyweights are judged differently. The “stand out” heavyweight in any era goes in early. Any heavyweight who has had a significant reign has gone in. For example, Riddick Bowe went in and his career was cut very short. It’s just how glamorous the division is. Heavyweight have certain birth rights. Wlad has similar numbers to Ivan Calderon. But Calderon is small and Wlad is a heavyweight. So Calderon may not ever get in and Wlad goes in on the 1st ballot…
Wlad is a gentleman and this is not the time to critique his career. He should be congratulated. So I won’t do that.
As for the Toney and Mosley debate, you have a point. I respect any voter who says they hold PEDs against athletes/fighters. PEDS do lead to late career surges and/or prolonged primes. It’s just a fact. Some have openly said they didn’t vote for James Toney 1st ballot because of the PED issues. But Shane Mosley went in 1st ballot and he also had PED issues. I personally don’t see a difference between them as far as PEDS. And I actually think Toney is a slightly better fighter and did more. Toney’s best wins of McCallum, Nunn, Jirov and Holyfield are better than Mosley’s of Oscar, Vargas and Margarito by a lot. I think Toney was also the more skilled fighter. So it may come down to who is the most well liked.
We are all humans. Humans vote. And humans sometimes have a subjective preference. Mosley was a mild mannered likeable fighter for the most part. James Toney was a hot headed guy who didn’t have a filter. Toney was great an ATG in my opinion but I think it cost him in this case. Because as you said, voting Mosley in and not Toney is inconsistent if PEDS are the reason. In any process subjectivity counts. It’s why you dress nice for job interviews and court appearances. It’s not 100% your qualifications. Mosley dressed the part and acted the part and regardless if the public likes it or not. It does matter. Especially when your picking straws. Both Mosley and Toney are great fighters. Toney doesn’t blow him away in those terms although he has an edge.
But let me also say this again. It still depends on who’s on your ballot. I don’t think Mosley would have got in this year if you swap his name out for Toney’s and leave everyone else there. Cotto beat Mosley head to head and had a better career imo. Wlad is a heavyweight. And Mayweather and Ward are both better by enough where it’s not worth arguing.
So context is important. You just can’t say what guy was 1st ballot and what guy wasn’t. You have to look at who he went up against on that given year.
There are many myths in boxing, as I’m sure you know only too well. As someone who’s naturally left-handed, myths centered around southpaws especially drive me nuts. I admit, for an orthodox fighter, southpaws must be a pain in the @$$ to prepare for... but the idea that southpaws rely solely on their left hands I think is just straight up ridiculous. Are there some guilty of that? Sure, and I bet it’s the same number of orthodox fighters that rely solely on their right hands.
Who are some southpaws you think are misunderstood? And have more power or skill with their right hands than they’re given credit for? What are some other myths concerning southpaws that you think are total nonsense?
Bread’s Response: Pernell Whitaker had a ridiculous right hand. His hook to the body was deadly and he has a case for the best jab in history.
Manny Pacquiao also has a better right hand than anyone ever gives him credit for. His right hook his money. He can throw and uppercut. And his jab can really break up a tempo.
The myths surrounding southpaws really come from how you fight them. People repeat to go left against a southpaw. But southpaws are so used to that, they can still pull you into their left hand if you go towards them and your left. You can go to your right also and challenge his left hand. Roy Jones, Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins all go to their rights fighting southpaws. It really depends on the type of southpaw you fight and what his skill set is.
The last myth is southpaws don’t like fighting other southpaws. That’s ridiculous. Neither has the advantage at that point. It’s just like two orthodox fighters fighting.
Bread,
I'm not sure if you are noticing the same thing, but Shakur is starting to get his man strength and has tweaked his style a bit to the point where he is boxing while walking his opponent down. That is a pretty big progression and you could see him filling in at the weight very well. Of course, people will try to downplay his performance by saying he didn't get the stoppage, but Shakur will never be the type of guy to create a stoppage on his own without his opponent giving him opportunities for big counter shots and that's okay. Only a few top fighters such as Crawford,GGG etc can create a stoppage when the opponent is in survival mode and is not throwing much.
We had another young 130 pounder on SHO that impressed in Chris Colbert. How would you foresee a fight going between those two youngsters? One little thing I noticed with Colbert is he has an occasional lack of focus and gets a bit bored in the ring when he is just out boxing his opponent. I can be completely off, but it reminds me of what we have seen from Tony Harrison. If he wants to beat the top guys like Davis or Stevenson or Berchelt, that cannot happen.
Thoughts?
Take care.
Bread’s Response: I think Stevenson vs Colbert is a very big fight if both keep winning. But it’s really not worth discussing right now. One is with PBC and the other is with Top Rank.
I noticed that most talented boxers evolve to a point where they don’t have to move as much as they did earlier in their careers. They don’t evolve into typical pressure fighters but it’s more of an athletic boxing walk down style that has emerged. Shakur is definitely on it.
It really makes sense. If you are the faster, sharper, better reflex guy. Why move away so much? When you can put pressure on your opponent and take advantage of more mistakes he’s making? You can also challenge his stamina more. I think it’s natural to be in the mode if you have the confidence to employ it. Ali was a stick and mover but against Cleveland Williams, he was there just unleashing on Williams. It was his career best performance.
In my opinion it makes more sense than moving away from an outmatched opponent and getting a boring decision. I don’t mind a pure boxer at all. But I do mind a talented fighter running away from an inferior fighter all night.
Stevenson stepped to his opponent because he knew he had the faster trigger pull. That’s what elite boxer punchers do.
Shakur Stevenson is very strong. He’s just not a huge puncher. People always confuse that. Physical strength and punching power don’t have to be the same thing. There are guys who are physically strong like Winky Wright and Timothy Bradley but they aren’t huge punchers. Then you have guys like Sergey Kovalev who is a huge puncher but he’s not so physically strong.
Stevenson is very strong. If you know what you’re looking at you will see it. Physical strength lies in the stamina. It lies in the ability of a fighter to keep his form and posture throughout a fight. It lies in the energy he lets off as far as being pushed around and a fighter invading his space. Stevenson is very strong and he will not be bullied at 130 or 135
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