Daily Bread Mailbag: Garcia-Berto, Ward-Kovalev, GGG, More

By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards tackling questions on Terence Crawford, Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev, Danny Garcia vs. Andre Berto, Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz, and more.

What's up Bread?

I know you will be getting a ton of emails about Terrence Crawford's rout of Viktor Postol but I just wanted to get your thoughts on each guy's performance.  Also, how do you see a potential Crawford-Pacquiao matchup on November 5th? I know you favored Bud before the third Bradley fight but has anything happened since then to change your view?  Do you think that Pacquiao will and/or should target Jessie Vargas instead?

Peace,

William in West Palm

Bread’s Response: Crawford has “special” potential. He has an old school skillful way about him that will outlast his physical gifts. He fought an effective fight.

Postol was a little lost. He didn’t do well cutting the ring down and he couldn’t score enough points to make Crawford come to him. The myth that the shorter fighter can’t out box the taller fighter is ridiculous. Postol better be careful. When you do that poorly vs a certain style expect future opponents to copycat.

Pacman really surprised me vs Tim Bradley in his last fight. I didn’t expect that kind of domination with Bradley riding so high. But Crawford is in his absolute prime, he understands how to box and he has a great team behind him. Pacquiao has proven me wrong so many times before but I would pick Crawford to defeat him at this point.

Hi Bread,

I am writing from France, where I live. Thanks for your knowledge. As you probably know France isn't a country famous for its boxing background.

Boxing is almost dead. Being a boxer it was tough. You can't dream. There only a small place for amateur boxing and that's for from being the best program.
There a few pro, and they aren't good. Despite being a rather rich country, there's absolutely no money in boxing. No facilities to box, no sponsors, nothing.
People know nothing about it, they can only mention Ali or Tyson, if we're lucky. And I talk about my parents (I'm 22).

France is a country where people think everything is impossible, a country with a loser mentality, so it doesn't help. My friend once defended for an EBU title and made 10 K euros, which is ridiculous.  No money, no belief, no good trainers, that's not going to get better. They try though, by putting some fights on the network, but they put bad ones with domestic fighters boxing journeymen.

About punching power and method training - Also I've notified that European boxers (I'm not including Russian, Brits etc, I mean French, Spaniards, Italians) have a very low KO rate. I know many boxers here, and they have a very small KO rate. I don't even know one puncher in the French landscape. Since it's a mix of French, African and north African people, we can't say it's a question of blood, muscles or pure talent. There must be a way of working (for power punches) that they don't do or do wrong. I can't believe we don't have any Lemieux or Matthysse. It seems they have paper in their hands.

While I was training, they always insisted on me being fast, stepping back after hitting, when I was hitting like a mule on the bag. They were right, I had many weaknesses, but eventually by working on my power I became more powerful than most French pro, which was funny cause I was only an amateur and a sparring partner.

There is an exception though, I trained and sparred against Michel Soro, a friend of mine. Do you know him ?  He's very good. He's high ranked but doesn't seem to be able to get a "big" fight, especially in the US yet he's ranked by many as one of the 6 or 7 best super-welterweights in the world.  I remember you mentioning him once. I met him when he was a young pro and he always had something special, he was fare above average french boxers. He's not a puncher but does many things well. 

He lost to Zaurbek Baysangurov 5 years ago although he dropped him with a jab early. It was close, in Germany and Michel was really young. He hasn't lost ever since but the level of competition was low. He got a draw against unbeaten (at this time) Antoine Douglas where he won and smoked Glenn Tapia in New Jersey. He has then prepared Khan for Canelo and trained in Big Bear with Sanchez and Golovkin. I hope he can make it big. What do you think of him in boxing and in terms of marketing ? I mean, he's french and african (Côte d'Ivoire), doesn't speak english well. Can we sell him in the American market ? Or we'll he be thrown to the lions against top prospects/contenders and a unfavorable judging ?

About GGG - I met him, twice. He's a nice guy.  Do you think he's beatable by any guy from welterweights to light-heavyweights ? I honestly can't see someone beat him. I think since we never saw him in trouble that he has more in reserve. I don't recall him being in trouble and I think if he steps up in competition, he'll be even better.  The only weakness he has in my opinion is that he exposes himself. And as you know, he does it on purpose for the crowd (Willie Monroe Jr). He showed us he was careful against Lemieux so it shows he's more than what many people think he is.  I give credit to Brook though and I'm sure we have a fight there.

Last thing. On Chavez Jr's potential. I think many people are stupid. There's so much hate toward Chavez Jr. I think it's absurd. It's even tougher when you have everything to become a fighter. And I think it is unfair to always be compared to one of the greatest.

Chavez Jr had many qualities and also weaknesses. I've seen his little sparring against GGG where he's dominated. But let me say something, when with Roach, he was awesome and his progresses were exponentials. When serious and dedicated, I think he was a monster. In 2012 when he fought Lee, before fucking everything up for the Martinez training, he was awesome. We had a 6.1 feet tall huge MW with always moving forward, with a lot of power, great combinations (especially to the body, his left hook there was amazing) and a ridiculous chin. He looked ripped in this fight and unstoppable. Lee landed some perfect counters that got Jackson, Korobov and Quillin and yet he seemed to not even feel them. He kept moving forward, chasing with his head, staying low, and demolished Lee.

By sticking to Roach and being serious he could have make an incredible run in boxing. Most of the people only talk about what he eats or the dope but seem to forget he was on the verge of being a great boxer. I think, a June/July 2012 Chavez Jr would have destroyed pretty much all the current MW and I want you to tell me what you think about him facing the 2012 GGG of this time ?

We know GGG don't box well on his back foot and likes to cut the ring and move forward. What would he have done at this time (less of a power puncher because of Sanchez) against a 180 pounds Chavez constantly pushing him and trying to destroy his body ? I just wanna say that it's one of my biggest regrets of these last years. I would have loved this match up so much, and at this particular time, I know it sounds crazy, but for me it's 55/45 for GGG, which is less than against every MW now.

I could go deeper with many subjects but let's start here. Hope you'll answer, it feels good to talk with someone who knows boxing. No one here does.

Bread’s Response: Try to shorten up the comments….

You make a good point most boxers from Italy and France are not punchers. I assume it’s the teachings. It has to be.

Michel Soro can punch. He’s very sharp and accurate and explosive. I think he’s a serious threat to any junior middleweight in the world.

Any fighter is beatable. The question is will GGG get beat. Maybe, maybe not. It depends on whom he fights. I think there are a few guys at 175 who can beat him. But that’s really a compliment because he fights at 160. I think he beats everyone at 160. There are a couple young junior middleweights who have a shot at him within a years time.

Chaver Jr is what he is. His run was short because he cheated the grind. He was very good for a short period under Roach but his character showed over time. In a real fight GGG would have beaten the life and fight out of him. He would have absolutely ruined his career and health with a life threatening beating to the body and head. Because of Chavez’s chin it would have been prolonged which is always worse than a short night.

Breadman,

I watched the Santa Cruz vs Frampton fight quickly on tape delay.   I need to go back and watch again, but my early take away was Santa Cruz is not an accurate puncher and his game plan to box was off.    I see him as a tall volume pressure fighter that should come forward and attack.    his boxing plan left him susceptible to superior foot movement/quickness and accurate sharp leads or counters.    I believe he cant do this against any top fighters at 126 and look good.   what did you see regarding his plan and his execution.    what match ups would you like to see at 126.  I think Russell vs Frampton given their similar heights, builds and sharpness could be interesting.

Adonis Stevenson can PUNCH.   I think the key to his success against the best fighters is being a two handed fighter.    he seems so much more effective when he actually snaps his jab and shoots it through the target.  however, his default is to paw  with it or feebly put it out as more of a range finder.     snapping that jab and occasionally adding his hook in will keep guys guessing and make them protect more angles, which should make knockouts with the left easier to get.

am I just a fight starved boxing freak, or does the possibility of Berto vs Garcia excite and intrigue you.    I think Berto's speed and straight punches will allow him to connect with Danny and his durability will keep him in the fight when Danny catches him with counter hooks.   given both fighters are durable, hittable, and proud I see it as an entertaining fight that Danny will ultimately win.   Does this match up seem interesting to you.

Billy Bomaye

Bread’s Response: Santa Cruz is accurate enough to have been 32-0. I think Frampton was just on that night and he fought the fight is of his life. It happens. Leo Santa Cruz is still top 30 in the world. He’s an excellent fighter.

I think Santa Cruz is a very instinctual fighter. So he improvises on the fly. If you remember he boxed really well vs Abner Mares who is similar in stature to Frampton. Sometimes you have to try things in order to see if they will work. The difference in this fight was Frampton’s foot speed and clean punching. He beat Leo to the spot more often than not and his punches were more eye catching. In the rematch if Leo starts smoking early and raises his already high output up it could be the difference. I’m curious to see if Frampton fought over his head. I’ve never seen him so good.

Frampton vs the Field at 126 will be interesting. He’s the new darling of the division.

Adonis Stevenson is a tremendous offensive fighter. His right hand is heavier and better than people realize. But he barely uses it. The seldom use of it turns out to be a plus because Stevenson does not try to do too much. By keeping it simple he gives himself a better chance to succeed. All he ever tries to do is rock in a rhythm where his opponent falls into a left hand. After that he’s clicking. It’s almost brilliant.

If Danny Garcia ands Andre Berto fight it should be a shootout. Berto actually is more talented athletically but Danny is the better fighter. He also has the better chin. I think Danny Garcia wins an entertaining fight.

Frampton-LSC

Surprised Frampton was able to get the decision in a close fight. Now that LSC has a loss on his record, I hope he takes on Rigo,.. I think stylistically he has a better chance than Frampton, and plus LSC v Rigo is much fan-friendlier.

Top 5 avoided fighters

You're right, Rigo is one of the top 10 most avoided fighter of all time. In "avoided" ranking as of today, he's at the top, the #2 Lara, #3 GGG, #4 Lomachenko, at #5 ... perhaps Luis Ortiz. However, many "twitter" boxing fans forget the fact that even avoided fighters sometimes prefer to avoid certain fighters, but that doesn't mean they are not avoided. GGG he's avoided by all top MWs and some SMWs but he would prefer not to fight Ward (even if he was still SMW). Every top 122-126-lber avoids Rigo, except Loma. Rigo was asking catchweight, "fight-day weigh-in limit", and more money (than 500K),.. means he would prefer an easier fight for less money.

Top 5 "will fight anyone" (high-profile top) fighters

Top 5 would be Lara, Ward, Lomachenko, Kovalev, Klitschko (his clinching is awful but he fought everyone) in no particular order.

What's your list?

Ward-Kovalev - I'm still not too high on Kovalev. He's a bad-ass fighter who's willing to fight anyone, anywhere. I see it as 9-3-ish fight in Ward's favor. I think GGG has better chance than Kovalev (would you agree?) I think Kovalev will be successful in the first 3-4 rounds until Ward adjusts and starts doing his thing, He might drop Ward at some point. You don't like to give predictions early, but I would love your early breakdown of the fight (considering both have excellent training camps)? Do you think Kovalev is an over-achiever, similar to Danny Garcia or Bradley. How do you think he would have performed in 90s? I believe Roy would have toyed with him, James Toney would have decisioned him, and I think he would have had problems with Tarver, Reggie Johnson.

Stevenson - People diss on him because of his reluctance to fight Kovalev, but he's the best one-handed fighter. I believe he has the best chance to beat Ward.

Regards,
Amarbayasgalan, Mongolia.

Bread’s Response: The judges got it right in Frampton vs Santa Cruz. The correct fighter won. I thought it was a little closer than the scorecards but…..

Volume punchers are more prone to beat boxers than other elite boxers. Frampton can box but not on the level of Rigo. So I agree with your rock, paper , scissor.

I agree about the top 5 avoided fighters and the fighters who will fight anyone.

I remember when Max Kellerman said GGG is more blue chippy than Kovalev. Although Kovalev may have a slightly better resume, his performances are equally as dominating except for the Isaac Chilemba fight, there is an undertone that what Kellerman said is the truth. I think GGG is more refined in his skillset. I also think he takes the better punch which aloows him to operate more smoothly. Only the fighter knows how he feels when he gets hit. I have always said Ward beats Kovalev. I still say it. But I think Kovalev will be better than he was when he fought Chilemba. If Kovalev has the correct mindset that fight will help him.

I think Kovalev would have fit in, in the 90s. His ko power and great jab would have helped him become an elite fighter. Would he reign in terror like he does now, no. But he would have been a top 5 guy and probably won a belt or two.

Adonis Stevenson is no joke. He has a chance to beat anyone that he hits clean. At 38 he still has elite speed and quickness. He can still pull the trigger with the best of them. He also fights at a weird rhythm that throws the opponents off. He has some big fights ahead of him.

Hey bread i have just 1 question. Why are there some many top level guys that havent fought at all this yr? The promoters seem to be working together again. Hbo, showtime and pbc together have fights on just about every weekend and europe is opening up big time for american fighters but its still seems nobody is fighting? Heres a list a top level guys who havent fought at all this year. Fury, Klitschko,tarver, bryant jennings, chavez jr, jacobs, saunders, kirkland, quillin, andy lee, bundrage, lamont peterson, josesito lopez, collazo, omar figueroa, gamboa, walters, mares, ceullar, jf estrada,cotto, hopkins, marquez and brandon rios. Most of these guys are in there prime years and will probably have to settle for just 1 fight this yr. Whats the deal?

Bread’s Response: The inactivity of this era is sickening. But each case is individual.  Fighter A will have an injury which will reduce him 1 fight per year. Then you have fighter B who have promoters who won’t invest in them. They won’t give them comeback fights after a tough loss. Fighter C is picky and they turn down tough fights because they just wait out the “right” opportunity. Fighter D is a name fighter but he’s not with the “right” people so no one cares if he fights or not.

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