Daily Bread Mailbag: De La Hoya, Santa Cruz-Russell, More

By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards tackling topics such as the career of Oscar De La Hoya, Leo Santa Cruz vs. Gary Russell Jr., Erickson Lubin, Julian Williams, and much more.

Hello Prof. Bread,
 
All good wishes to you and your loved ones.
 
I recently got into an interesting and civilised online exchange (those are rare and to be cherished). I scoffed a little at a comment online that ‘there is no way Muhammed Ali could handle Tyson Fury.’ When I laughed, the reply to me was: “Don’t focus on CV and actually try to picture the two in a ring and think about how things would play out and consider their relative skill-sets, how their styles would mesh, different game-plans they could try, etc. You’re telling me you think Ali is that much more skilled than Fury that you’re imagining him just countering over a 13 inch length advantage and dealing with someone who can clinch and maul him on the inside with 40 pounds on him and a very competent inside game? What exactly is Muhammad’s win condition? If he fights from outside, he literally is too far to land. If he fights from closer, Fury will grab and maul. It’s not really a winnable fight. Ali is the GOAT HW CV-wise, but that doesn’t mean he should be favored in every fight.”
 
OK, fine. It’s logical.
 
But I think you need to look beyond the physical advantages Fury has. I'd be confident in Ali finding a way. He was completely written off against Foreman. People thought he'd get seriously hurt. Or even killed. There was NO path to victory that 90% of the boxing media could see. But, of course, an unusual and inspired strategy prevailed. I also think he might be overlooking a telling advantage that Ali has over Fury. Fury is athletic as hell, especially for his size. But Ali just before his ban was a speed FREAK. He had the speed and output and reflexes of a middleweight. His speed advantage could get him in and out, to land, to pick off shots, making Fury look rather lumbering, I think. And i think pre-ban Ali could set a pace that might leave Fury completely gassed out, bewildered by what's going on. If Steve Cunningham can land clean on Fury ONCE, then I am certain Ali can land 20 times. 100 times! And maybe if it comes down to Ali simply standing in range but not getting tangled up, we know he had an ATG chin and could take a punch to land two or three. And Fury doesn't hit harder than Foreman. I simply trust in a boxing brain like Ali to pick a route to victory that I am unable to see.
 
What do you say about that Breadman? What is the GOAT heavyweight’s ‘win condition’?
 
And, finally (sorry for the long email) how do you think Joshua and Fury would have matched vs Lennox Lewis?
 
Take it easy,
 
Giuseppe

Bread’s Response: Just because a fighter has a greater legacy that doesn’t mean he can beat everyone head to head. But in Ali’s case I think he’s the greatest and the BEST heavyweight ever.

Fury would be a tough task for Ali because Ali is not a concussive puncher and Fury would be tough to out point. But Fury’s big advantage in all of his fights are speed. It’s the reason why it took him time, to time Steve Cunningham. Cunningham was a smaller heavyweight with speed. That fight wasn’t only competitive because of the knockdown but it was competitive because Fury couldn’t gauge Cunningham’s attack.

Often times fighters who can fight off the bounce can bounce towards a taller larger opponent when it’s not in their games to bore in like Joe Frazier. Pacquiao does it, Holyfied did it and I suspect Ali would do it. He would bounce towards Fury on his toes score points and glide out. Both fighters would take turns leading. For as fast as Fury is he’s not as fast as the 1966 version of Ali. No heavyweight is.

From what I have seen of both, especially Ali’s attack on taller fighters in his 1960’s athletic prime. Not the Ali of the 1970s. I say Ali wins a close one on points.

Fury and Joshua would both trouble Lennox Lewis. I would suspect that Lewis would have an easier time stylistically with Joshua. From everything I know about Lewis he would catch Joshua would a sneak shot in a shootout and stop him. I can’t call the Fury fight just yet. Lewis had a tough time with Vitali Klitschko and it just wasn’t the age. It was the style. I need more information on Fury before I can decide this fight but I can see this being a very tough fight for Lewis.

Bread,

This weekend we will be seeing Lubin in for the second time since his KO loss to Charlo, and really his first live opponent. And that opponent is none other than Ishe Smith. So my question is, how does Smith always end up fighting the talented 154 pounders that get stopped in their previous fights (Lubin two fights ago)? No secret Harrison, JRock and now Lubin will be facing off against Smith soon after they were recently stopped. Does Haymon himself recommend that? Is there someone on his team that calls for this fight? Because it is clear that a fight against Smith is used as an barometer of where the fight is at. If he passes the Ishe Smith test, then the next fight is usually against a top 10 154 pounder.

Another comment, after watching Lopez this past weekend against Magdelano, is there any fighter he reminds you of? He is a super strong counter puncher that goes for the kill. His one weakness is similar to Spence's that they don't really move their head much. But I could see this guy ruling 135 and 140 for years to come. Thoughts?

Bread’s Response: I just think Ishe Smith is a tough but safer in house fight. Young fighters always want quality rounds vs ex world champions. Smith gives you that. Smith is also with Mayweather Promotions so the fights aren’t hard to make. Smith has heart for days and he will fight anyone. And the most significant thing is Smith has never scored a big ko in one of these fights so the logic behind the matchmaking is that Smith won’t clip the younger guy.

If Carlos Molina and Liam Smith were with PBC they would be getting those same calls also.  It’s just how matchmaking works.

It’s rare that a fighter reminds me of just one exact fighter. Teofimo Lopez’s case is no different. It’s usually a hybrid type of thing where a fighter reminds me of a mix of two or more guys. I always preface this comment with “I’m not saying Lopez is better than these guys.” I once said that Adrien Broner could be the best finisher since Ray Leonard. I said it after Broner stopped Antonio Demarco. Broner had like a 90% ko% and every opponent I saw him hurt, he systematically stopped within a round or two. But Broner moved to welterweight and didn’t hurt anyone else. And someone through it up in my face that I said Broner was as good as Ray Leonard. They twisted my words. It’s frustrating when you deal with people who think they remember things that you NEVER said. Until this day I think Broner was one of the better finishers I have seen pre 147. Everyone he hurt, he stopped. But his shortcomings have clouded that one particular aspect of his game that was A+ in his prime.

Now back to Teofimo Lopez. I love how Lopez is built. He’s not too tall and not too short for 135lbs. Fighters who have that medium percentile build are usually very coordinated. Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones, Ray Leonard all have medium percentile builds for their prime weights. Not too tall to be gangly, but not too short to have to overcompensate.

So Lopez has the build I like for a certain type of fighter. I have to see more of Lopez to really lock down who he reminds me of. But at this exact moment, he reminds me of a mix of Prince Naseem Hamed and Zab Judah. Very explosive, uncanny balance to attack at unexpected times, probes with lead hand and a killer instinct when he gets an opponent hurt. Lot’s of physicality for his start out weight. Lopez passes the eye test with flying colors.

However, I don’t want to say rule 135 or 140 yet. I need to see more. The fans anoint too early. Lopez seems like the goods but there are always guys who have your number. 135 has Ryan Garcia, Loma, Devin Haney and soon to be Tank Davis. 140 has Regis Prograis, Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez. Lopez is in a tough era to rule.  Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis can match his physicality at 140, those would be terrific fights.

What's up Bread,

I remember a quote form a boxing movie (Rocky 3) where Apollo says "You fight great, but I'm a great fighter".  Is that a thought that is actually
said or thought in real boxing circles?  If so what's the difference...it sounds very subtle.  Also if that is something that is actually thought
or said in real boxing circles who are some of the fighters that may fall into each category and could some fighters actually fall under both?
I suppose Duran, Hearns, Hagler, Holyfield, Salvador Sanchez would fall under the fight great category while Ali, Leonard, Mayweather, Whitaker
would fall under the great fighter category.

Also who are some of the all time great "bad match ups" for great fighters where a fighter may not be ranked ahead of them all time but style
wise or physical match up wise they probably wouldn't win.  Like Nunn vs Leonard Nunn would never be considered to be better but they are close
enough in weight where if they fought it would be just a bad match up for Leonard.  I think Foreman and Tyson could fall in that category.  Would Hearns
vs Roy fall under that category?

Love your mailbags and analysis...keep up the excellent work.

Bread’s Response: I love the first 4 Rockys, and both of the Creeds. I remember each line of each movie but I think you interpreted that wrong. I think Apollo meant that he was a great fighter for his entire career, where as Rock sort of got hot and had some great fights. If you remember Rocky was a journeyman with lots of losses before he shocked Apollo. You took it as a style thing but I’m pretty sure he meant it as a level thing. Although Rocky beat Apollo, Apollo would be the more highly regarded fighter in real life.

I think Nunn would be a tough match up for anyone not just Ray Leonard. He was winning more rounds vs a prime James Toney and Roy Jones flat out refused to fight him. Nunn had a high volume style, where he through quick little punches, he was tall as hell and he was a southpaw with rhythm. Nunn is one of the toughest head to head match ups of the last 30 years. Ask any historian.

Leonard had some bulldog in him that other fighter didn’t have. And that was one of the ways to beat Nunn. Steve Little pulled it off. Bulldog him and force him into exchanges. Leonard is one of the best boxers turned bulldogs in history. I think the biggest problem for Leonard would be the natural size disadvantage and his age when the fight would have taken place. Nunn was just so much bigger. Remember Leonard started is career as a tweener between 140-47. Nunn would eventually be a cruiserweight although he made his bones at 160. Jones turned him down at 175. So the size disadvantage would be just as tough as the style. When you think of Nunn, think of Demetrius Andrade of this era.

I agree about Foreman vs Tyson hypothetically.

I don’t know who you pick between Hearns vs Jones. But I’ve always believed that Hearns beats Jones head to head. I also think they are ranked similarly historically with Jones maybe being slightly higher.

I think a clearer case is say Hearns vs Henry Amrstrong. Armstrong is top 5 ever but head to head it seems Hearns is just too big of a welterweight for him.

Bread,

I had to finally write in after seeing your twitter this week.  Not only did we see an instant classic in the ring when Fury and Wilder clashed, we also bore witness to one of the greatest ring walks the sport has experienced in recent memory.  Seeing Fury jammin to his entrance music and how hyped the moment had him was to see a man who wasn't going to be denied.  No lion's king hat, no phantom of the opera mask, just a man on his way to destiny.  A fighting man in the truest sense.  It was in a word, beautiful.  I remember the emotions felt watching Holyfield enter the ring back in the day, not only against Tyson which of course were unforgettable, but against some of the other big boys back then too, namely Lewis and Bowe.  Bowe especially, who at the time was in his absolute prime, a perfect mix of size, brute force, and finesse.  Watching Holyfield enter the ring for these matches was like watching something biblical, David and Goliath if ever there was one.  The Real Deal had some of the greatest ring walks I've seen watching boxing the last 40 years.  What have been some of your all time favorites?

Take care,
Ray

Bread’s Response: I was live at the fight and what a walk down it was. Walk Down’s inspire me. That Will Grigg’s soccer song is something. The cadence of it is so inspiring. Fury is a true Fighting Man.

Man after Ray Leonard left me, Holyfield was my guy. Watching him walk to the ring with that GRIN used to give me goose bumps. He had a GRIN like he knew something. Holyfield seemed to be speaking in biblical tongues in the Tyson rematch. I knew Tyson was in a world of trouble. The best thing Tyson could have done was bite him. He would have been completed ruined him that night. Completely.

Ring Walks. Let’s see. When Ray Leonard walked vs Tommy Hearns. On the back of his robe it said DELIVERANCE. He came down to one of the Rocky instrumentals. I can’t even type I get so emotional about the BEST BIG fight turnaround ever.

Speaking of Riddick Bowe he came down to Phil Collins’s “Feel It in the Air” vs Holyfield 1. Holyfield was my guy but I knew we were in trouble. Bowe was zoned out.

Nigel Benn’s ringwalk vs My guy Gerald McClellan bothered me. That smoke in that arena bothered me. Benn was possessed.

Manny Pacquiao came down to the Karate Kid song vs Antonio Margarito. Margarito had insulted Freddie Roach. Manny asked to wear 8 oz gloves considering the fight was over 147 and Manny was the smaller guy…. Manny was a GUN for that and he beat him half to death.

Hi Bread,

I tend to agree with experts who find the old timers to be better than modern boxers. Irrespective of their boxing style, they were more inclined to exchange, more likely to go for a knockout, better at inside fighting, better at cutting ring and well versed in veteran tactics (clinch, punching the hip, hitting with elbows etc.). While they moved around less but it was out of choice and they were much more active with their hands. They used to fight more often and all styles. This increased their ring IQ and made their style more hybrid. Head to head, I would probably pick them over modern boxers in mythical matchups.

Having said that, there is one scenario where I do not always agree with the experts. When they pick a pressure fighter of bygone era to beat a modern outfighter. Pressure fighters back then were much better than modern pressure fighters and they will still win more fights against modern outfighters than they would lose but I just do not think that they will do as well as they did against outfighters of their era. I say this because a pressure fighter can display inside fighting and use veteran tactics only when he closes the gap but the extremely safe style of modern outfighters will make it hard for him to do it. For a pressure fighter to succeed against a modern outfighter, he needs to be (a) very fast and agile like Pryor or (b) tall and rangy like Saddler or (c) have good long range game baked into his style of swarming like Norton. I somehow do not see the likes of Henry Armstrong or Rocky Marciano doing as well. They may still become world champions and probably beat most of the modern outfighters but their record will not be as great for sure. They were short, not too fast and did not have a particularly good long range game.

What is your take on it? Do you think that a Henry Armstrong or a Rocky Marciano will be just as great in this era?

Regards,
Saurabh

Bread’s Response: Interestjng…..Here is my take.

I think Armstrong and Marciano would be great in this era. But I think Amrstrong would be a junior feather to lightweight. And I think Marciano would be a lightheavyweight or cruiserweight.

People don’t realize that they were small for their era. So they would be miniature for this era. I also agree that certain styles extend well across the eras. Both being shorter guys who had to get up on you, it would be tough to envision Marciano at 5’10” 190 beating say Lennox Lewis. But I don’t view it that way. I consider the eras and I consider what a guy would be doing in the latter era. For example Marciano would either look like David Tua and be on a high protein diet or he would be a cruiserweight. I’m guessing he would be a cruiserweight or even a lightheavyweight.

If Marciano was a lightheavyweight or cruiserweight in this era, he would be a HOF. His will power, technique yes I said technique, punch resistance and stamina are what they are.

I feel the same way about Armstrong. Often times he weighed in the 130’s or low 140s for welterweight fights. He fought during the same day weigh ins. So he wouldn’t have been a welterweight in this era, especially if he started out at 126lbs and he was an infighter. But he would be a 122,126, 130 and 135 probably the max out.

And let me tell you something, no one in those weight classes could keep him off of them. He wouldn’t have to fight a 5’10 welterweight who walks around at 170lbs. His stamina is the best in the history of boxing. His infighting is top 5 ever. His toughness is top 5 ever. So his style doesn’t transcend as far as being a welterweight in this era. But it definitely allows him to be a great fighter. Can you imagine Armstrong making 122lbs then he gets to rehydrate, rest and fight the next day. My goodness, he would obliterate any fighter in the world today from 122-130. The lightweights would be competitive because of the size and style but I like him over all of them. The most simplistic style in the history of boxing is wind a guy up and let him pressure. If the pressure guys didn’t fatigue and you couldn’t hurt him, you couldn’t beat him. If Ricky Hatton can go to the HOF in this era and Marcos Maidana can force a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Rocky Marciano and Henry Armstrong would do just fine in this era. They just wouldn’t fight at their weights of yesteryear.

Uo Bread,

Hope all is well man. You hit the nail on the button I think a KO isn't an end all be all for fighters like people make it seem, especially if they're young & early in their career. Lennox was KO'd back in the day and bounced back. I truly think Lubinson & J-Rock can be 154 champs and hope to see them fight each other within the next year. Both guys are the goods. One thing about boxing is someone is always around the corner no matter how great or feared a champion is (GGG, Kova, Loma etc.) I truly think Loma will take an L at some point with the current crop of fighters at 130-35. Lopez, Davis, Haney, Comney & Farmer is a dark horse. I'd put GRJ up there but he is frustratingly inactive & Loma already dismantled him. I think age & wear & tear will slow Loma just enough for one of these young guys to get him. I'm curious to see if Ennis can take on Spence maybe 2020 if he still is around. If Spence ran the gauntlet at 154 and beats some of the top 5 guys at the weight he's HOF but my suspicions are he won't or will take at least one L as Brook was a huge WW & it took him a minute to figure it out. Plus he can be tagged. Lastly who are your top journeyman or step stone fighters of all -time, i.e (ishe, Boone etc.)?

Bread’s Response: Losing in this era is bigger deal because of 3 things. Incompetent media, social media and promotion. Writers in the media call a fighter exposed because something happened once. They forget that 90% of the fighters before 1970 had several losses before they won world titles. Records were not generally glossy until the 70s. When guys like Ali, Foreman, Duran and Frazier had long wins streaks well into their careers.

Social Media is what it is. It allows you to say things and not be accountable for your disrespect. I have an uncle who is the world’s biggest piece of garbage. He’s always been jealous of me. He opened a troll account on social media twitter “Me Raymond Boone” just to troll me because he’s a coward and could never say it to my face. Once I “outed” him he shut it down. If I get trolled you can imagine what happens to a popular fighter after a loss. But fighters have to be mentally strong enough not to be on social media after the wins and losses. Not just the losses. It ruins them literally.

Because of Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 record, promoters and networks treat you different if your record is not perfect. So fighters fall apart if they take 1 loss. It’s ridiculous. The 2nd best fighter of this era is Manny Pacquiao and he has 7 losses. I wish people were smarter but they aren’t.

JROCK and Lubin will be just fine. Both will make noise and their careers will be their careers. I think they both will win tiltes.

I also think Loma will lose within the next 2 years. I see slight slippage in Loma. But it’s ok. I already think he’s a HOF and a great fighter. He continuously challenges himself. The eye ball test shows greatness. His accomplishments are excellent. But he has to be careful which he won’t because he’s ambitious. I think Loma is where Pernell Whitaker was in 95. Still great, still in his prime but not at his APEX. Watch Whitaker vs Julio Cesear Vasquez. You will see what I mean. If Loma runs this table and never loses WHOA! But I see a loss coming. The younger guys like Tank Davis will wait him out. The guys at 135 will win other titles and let him take 2 or 3 more fights of punishments. Time is not on his side. Mark it down. Along came Oscar and Tito when Whitaker was slightly declining. Whitaker was a GUN so he fought them anyway but real TIME and real fighting is undefeated. If you take on the best available REAL guy every time out you will lose, I don’t care who you are. I’m not sure if Loma will get to 20-1. The sharks are closing in.

Jaron Ennis is a super talent. He would be viewed to be just as good as Teofimo Lopez if he had the PROMOTION behind him. He doesn’t have the push so the public doesn’t know. I don’t know if he could beat Spence in 2020 but I would love to see it. But I don’t think he will get the chance because the business of boxing does not work like that.

I think Spence will do fine at 154 but I don’t think he would run the entire table. At 154 his physicality would even out and guys would want to fight him. Instead of at 147 where they stay away from him conceding he’s too big and too good. He would beat most of the junior middleweights but I don’t think he would clear out the entire division. I actually can’t wait for Spence to move up because I think his legacy is being stagnated because he’s so DUCKED at 147. Spence is the new GGG as far as being denied the big fights by his contemporaries in his prime. I don’t want to call names but from 2012-17 all of the middleweight champions and top 5 ducked GGG except for David Lemueix who unified with him in his 1st title defense.

The same exact thing has happened to Errol Spence. From 2016 until present every single top 5 welterweight for the exception of Kell Brook who HAD to fight Spence or be stripped have somehow avoided a fight, not got ranked by the IBF or found an excuse to fight for another belt holder has avoided the kid. It’s a fact. What I hate is one day Spence will lose and someone will say oh he was never good anyway. But I know these guys won’t fight him at 147 in his current form.

For as good as Spence is Boots Ennis is more naturally talented. I didn’t say better but more naturally talented. Think about that.

I don’t like to call fighters gate keepers, journeyman or stepping stone. Because it offends them although they are accurate. Before the 90s they were a bunch of guys like Emanuel Augustus. Mike Weaver won the heavyweight title with 9 losses!

So I will talk about guys from the 90s on…..Emanuel Augustus, Mickey Ward, Darnell Boone, Orlando Salido and Dashon Johnson are the guys who stand out to me.

What’s up Bread?

First let me say how much I enjoy your writing. Your insight and honesty are an example in boxing journalism.

My questions are about the recent rematch that wasn’t made between Dillian Whyte and AJ.

Firstly about Whyte, how do you view his improvement since his 2016 KO loss to Joshua?? How do you think he matches up against Joshua now, and also against Wilder, Fury, Ortiz and Povetkin (his next probable fight) Also how do you view him turning down a shot at Joshua and 3 title belts due to financial terms, only to fight for less money against another opponent while trying to become mandatory??

About Joshua, someone wrote in last week questioning his VADA testing. Just to clarify Joshua has done full voluntary VADA testing for his last 4 fights (Wlad, Pulev/Takam, Parker, Povetkin) this is confirmed by VADA. He is NOT in the ‘Clean boxing program’ which was initiated by the WBC in September 2016 for their champions and their top 15 contenders which he’s never been due to governing bodies not ranking other champions. He has for his whole career however been monitored by UKAD’s ‘whereabouts’ which is a similar system.

Do you believe all top fighters should be in year round VADA testing regardless of which alphabet title they hold?? Should we hold any faith in WADA or UKAD’s testing given the recent Billy Joe Saunders debacle where he failed a test with VADA which would NOT have been deemed a fail under WADA or UKAD who only have a problem with certain substances ‘in competition’ (which ridiculously is only on fight night)

Also do you know what happened to the WBA’s ‘Fair boxing program’ which was supposed to be random year round testing and the equivalent of the WBC’s CBP?? It was due to start in 2018, did this ever begin or is it much like the WBA’s pledge to reduce their multiple titles in a single weight class??

Last questions on that tangent, how do you view secondary titles?? Are you a real world champ by winning one??

Thanks in advance if you get to answer.

Francois

Bread’s Response: I don’t like secondary titles. Interim, and Regular belts are slightly different. I respect interim belts if the champion is injured but the time restrictions have to be strictly enforced. I don’t like regular belts.

I don’t want to get into what’s real and what’s not. I just don’t like it.

I have no idea what happened to the WBA program.

I believe 100% that all ranked fighters should be enrolled in the Clean Testing Program. For legal purposes it allows fighters to be tested 24/7/365. Then after that the fighters and promoters can PAY for extra testing. In the real world we know testing cost and the Clean Testing Program is free…..

I think Whyte has improved but so has Joshua . Joshua is just the better fighter but Whyte deserves a chance to right his wrong. He’s a solid contender. I don’t feel anyway about Whyte turning down the title shot because I don’t know why.

I think Ortiz, Fury and Wilder are all on the level about Whyte. But he could conceivably upset one of them. I like Whyte over Povetkin I think Povetkin is on a down slope.

Stephen,

Boxing fans tend to look at the promotional landscape as being split mostly along racial lines, but it seems to me it’s more cultural.  The PBC fighters tend to all want to be the next Floyd, while the Golden Boy fighters want to be the next Oscar.  Maybe that’s because Floyd and Oscar are always standing in the spotlight and comparing their fighters to themselves.  Top Rank fighters are more of the home town type hero types, more flash inside the ring than outside.  I find that interesting since Top Rank is the outfit that made Floyd and Oscar stars.  Matchroom, for all it’s inroads in the US, is still primarily a U.K. outfit. So if you were advising a rising prospect, where do you sign?   Would you base it on the promoters network affiliation (DAZN, Showtime, ESPN), how deep their pockets are, or would you choose a promoter more suited to a fighters personality?  TR seems to have really strong matchmaking, and keep their fighters busy, but there appears to be more glitz (and possibly bread) with some of the other outfits. 

Dan from Jersey

Bread’s Response: This is a great question and I’m glad you asked it. Ok here goes…

The 1st place a fighter goes is where he can. What I mean by that is affiliation. Where his trainer, stablemates or manager has the connect. Don’t get it twisted just look and see. Often times this is the 1st and main reason why a fighter is signed to a certain company. After that particular reason is where your reasoning comes in.

You’re exactly right. Race and personality are the determining factor for fighters who have a choice. People get upset everytime I bring up race but it’s so relevant in boxing.

There are always exceptions but the PBC usually gets the black urban fighters. Not ones who necessarily want to be Floyd Mayweather but fighters who can relate to him. Lots of their fighters have similar backgrounds, personality traits and socioeconomic categories. PBC has loads of fighters from Philly, New York, Cleveland, Cincinatti, Houston and St. Louis. All high traffic urban cities. The figure head of the PBC can relate to these fighters.

That’s not to say the PBc does not get Cuban, Latino or White fighters. But that’s more because of affiliation. Someone in their camp has a good relationship with someone from the PBC and boom they get signed.

Ok now look at Top Rank. They do have excellent matchmakers. It’s a known fact. There is an underlying saying that if you can’t break through at Top Rank, you just weren’t good enough. Because their matchmaking is just that good. Now Top Rank gets a bad rap for not signing black fighters. They did a great job with Tim Bradley and Terence Crawford. But Bradley and Crawford were from big towns, not so much big slick cities. They also had Cameron Dunkin so affiliation played a big part.

The profile of the fighter that Top Rank seems to go after is the popular ethnic fighter from a big city or Eastern Europe. Teofimo Lopez, Felix Verdejo…They just signed a kid named Sonny Conto an Italian Heavyweight from Philly. Joseph Adorno is a Puerto Rican kid from outside of Philly.

Again both the PBC and Top Rank have signed fighters of every race and back ground. Caleb Plant is a white kid and he’s doing great with the PBC. Shakur Stevenson is a black kid from Newark and he’s doing great with Top Rank….But overall Stevenson seems like a kid that the PBC would usually sign and Plant seems like a kid that Top Rank would usually sign. It’s interesting.

Now Matchroom is sort of linked to Golden Boy. At this particular stage Golden Boy does not seem to go after the young studs like PBC and Top Rank. But when they do it seems to be a Latino Fighter. In the 2012 Olympic class they signed Jo Jo Diaz and Diego De La Hoya. Those were their big signing that’s no coincidence.

As for Matchroom they seem to get a plethora of US and international talent but in my opinion they haven’t been around long enough to create a profile. What I will say is that with their American fighters. Demetrius Andrade, Tevin Farmer and Big Baby Miller are all outstanding talent. But none of them were the 1st choice of PBC or Top Rank. I have no idea why but I do find it interesting. But again I need to observe Matchroom more before I can comment on a trend or pattern.

I was wondering about Oscar De La Hoya. I feel like he is the kind of fighter that is better than his record suggests. Can you comment on this? He definitely did not follow the Mayweather approach to matchmaking. I was just rewatching his fight against Bernard Hopkins and I recognized how much he was in that fight (a fight that was a great demonstration of feints and small steps from both). What was it about Oscar? He seemed to have more talent than Bhop. Bhop even seemed a bit tentative against him compared to Tito....strange.

Oscar seemed very versatile while also being a reliant on one-arm. He could be the aggressor, he could fight off the backfoot. He could throw combos, go to the body. I think he'd be a BAD man at welterweight in any era...

Is the switching of trainers so frequently a good thing for some fighters?

I guess, we didn't get to see the best Oscar consistently. Or was he was just hold and cold. I feel that some of his best nights were in his close losses (of which he had 4 close losses, the other 2 losses were understandable KO's: Pac the shredder and Bhop the tall MW king). I think he'll get overappreciated for his name, but underappreciated for what he could actually do...if that makes sense? For some reason I respect him more than other guys because he failed at very uphill fights that very few would take.

I try to disregard that unusual personal stuff you may have heard about him in the media. Not my life, not my style, not gonna judge.

What's your take?

Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,
Jay

Bread’s Response: I never get into a guy’s personal lifestyle. In my opinion Oscar is an all time great fighter and a very tough out head to head with anybody 140lbs and under.

I think his record is just fine. He has 6 losses to Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad. Every one of them were in their PRIMES. No fighter in history could go undefeated vs that line up. The accumulation of competition will wear anyone out.

I think Oscar has one of the best jabs and left hooks I have ever seen. He has an underrated chin. Very reliable and sturdy vs punchers. Oscar had a good set of legs. Elite level hand speed and his experience is off the hook. The one thing about Oscar that I feel is a major flaw is he often fought the wrong fight at the wrong time. Oscar had a high skill level but his adjustments and IQ weren’t the best.

Why that is I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s because of switching trainers. I don’t know if it’s just Oscar. Some fighters over think and make poor decisions. It’s not always the coach. But Oscar was doing well in too many fights to have taken some of the losses he has taken. Let’s look.

I thought Oscar beat Tito and Tito was my guy. But Oscar took for granted that he won ALL of the earlier rounds instead of most of them. It’s a difference. There were a few early rounds were much didn’t happen and Oscar assumed he got them. He was wrong. Then Oscar is winning against Mosley in their 1st fight. At some point he starts eating the same right hand over and over and falling in on Mosley. Oscar was a better boxer than Mosley he didn’t have to slug and go towards him so much.

I thought Oscar fought excellent in the Mosley rematch and was robbed again. So nothing there.

Against Bernard Hopkins, Oscar doing well early. Hopkins was not really imposing himself on Oscar with his size. Hopkins seemed a little tight. Oscar didn’t capitalize on it. After a few rounds Hopkins got settled in and he wound up stopping Oscar.

Oscar was outjabbing Floyd and he was really disrupting Floyd with a jab to the arm and center mass. Then after the half way point Oscar started falling in and flurrying again just like he did vs Mosley. Oscar was the taller man with the better jab. There was no reason to do that. Floyd took control and won a close fight. That was a very winnable fight for Oscar if you watch it round for round.

Oscar was up against it vs Manny. Manny fought a perfect fight and was at his apex. But my question is, if you’re the A side which he was. Why try to make a weight then complain it was too low. Oscar didn’t have to go to welterweight he chose to and called Manny out.

It always seemed as though as great as Oscar was he always did something counterproductive.

But all in all Oscar was a great fighter. He got bad decisions vs Mosley and Tito. He was already a HOF by the time he went to 147 where his troubles started. His run from 130-140 was excellent, Chavez, Gonzales, Molina, Leija, Ruelas and Hernandez. Oscar had a crazy resume and he actually fought the best competition of the last 30+ years along with Holyfield and Pacquiao. Oscar was a different kind of GUN. I was a big fan.

I think Oscar is an all time great if you look at the level of competition, eye ball test, and accomplishments. In his era, I think Hopkins, Mayweather and Pacquiao rate over him. But I think Oscar rates over Mosley, Cotto and Wright. I think he’s even with Tito, Barrera, Marquez and Morales. Oscar is very underappreciated.

I think he had 2 peaks. I think from 95-97 he was money. Rafael Ruelas to Miguel Angel Gonzales. Oscar was just awesome during that run. I can’t remember who all of his trainers were I know he had Jesus Rivera during that time. But man he was good. Against Chavez in the 1st fight he was unreal. I thought I was watching a fighter as good as Roy Jones for one fight.

The reason you know he dropped off was because he fought Chavez 2 years later in which should have been an easier fight but he struggled more and the fight looked sloppier. Oscar was still winning but something was off.

Then again from 2001-04. Gatti to Hopkins. Oscar looked terrific. He lost 2 fights during this time but I don’t always look at the result I look at the performances. Oscar looked good vs Mosley2 and Hopkins he just didn’t get the wins. Plus we know now Mosley admitted to using PEDs for the rematch. Vargas did too during that time. So those performances become more impressive.

Oscar is not Mt. Rushmore all time great. Leonard, Robinson level. I don’t think he’s Holyfield, Mayweather level. But I think he falls in the category right below them where Joe Calzaghe and Felix Trinidad reside. One more thing. For a fighter to have the leverage he had, he took some of the toughest fights in history. He took fights as underdogs and 50/50 fights on the norm.

I think the PBC matchmaking is smoke and mirrors. I think it’s a travesty that Leo Santa Cruz and Gary Russell have never fought. Both seem to want to take the BS road that no one calls them on. Anthony Dirrell is another guy who fights no one and never gets called on it. He fought Badou Jack and that’s it, in his entire career. Now we have Tank Davis who gets strategically matched fight after fight. Yes he fought Jose Pedraza but that was one fight against an inactive weight struggling opponent. Davis will never fight a 50/50 fight. He won’t go near Lomachenko until Loma is in a rocking chair. I know you like the PBC so I will stop right here. But I’m sick of this smoke and mirror matchmaking.

On a positive light I want to know who your All Anybody Team will be. I know you won’t say negative stuff about fighters but you will make a positive statement. So tell me who are the fighters who will fight anybody, period. No matchmaking or secret ducking.

Bread’s Response: Well you’re correct I’m not going to downtalk any fighters. But I do agree. Santa Cruz vs Russell should have happened. I have no idea why it hasn’t happened. They are roughly the same age, with the same company, in the same division. That’s a fair assumption.

Just to correct you Anthony Dirrell also fought Sakio Bika twice which were hard fights.

I think it’s too early to criticize Tank Davis. Let’s see who he fights over the next few years before we start criticizing. If he unifies vs Tevin Farmer next, who can complain about that.

On a positive note here is my All Anybody Team. Ollie Usyk is the gold standard he will fight anybody, anywhere, any time. Errol Spence has been asking for smoke since he was a pup. I hope he doesn’t change when he gets that check for Mikey Garcia. Mikey Garcia is another, he ask for Spence the most feared man in boxing. Jarrett Hurd unified in his 2nd title defense vs Erislandy Lara. Lara was infinitely better as an amateur than Hurd and Hurd asked for the work, early.

Nonito Donaire fights anybody. Terence Crawford will fight too, I just think he doesn't have the opponents at Top Rank. Vasyl Lomachenko does too. Sergey Kovalev just fought a guy who kod him back to back. Badou Jack only fights killer fights. Canelo fights Anybody. He put the GGG fight off but he didn’t duck him. GGG is a gun too. Let’s see who else……Oh Abner Mares. Mares has fought killers his entire career and he was just signed to fight Tank Davis who I thought was going to hurt him. Mares is a super gun.

I also think Fury, Wilder and Joshua will fight anyone. Fury is crazy he will fight King Kong. Wilder once he stepped up he was willing to fight anyone. But Joshua gets a bad rap and he’s fought better comepetition than both with less fights. I think we are in an Golden Era for heavyweights and the fans don’t realize it yet. Joshua will give us the fights we want watch and see.

I’m doing this off the top of my head but I forgot the man. Manny “Manolo” Pacquiao. How could I forget the guy who fought Barrera and Marquez back to back in his 1st two fights at 126. My goodness Pacquiao is CRAZY. I really believe he will fight anybody. IF Manny didn’t fight you it was because it wasn’t viable. I think he’s crazy enough to fight Thurman or Spence next at 40 years old! I really believe that.

Send Questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com