By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards answering numerous questions regarding the shock fight between middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin and welterweight champion Kell Brook, and many other topics.

The rock,paper, scissors dynamic of Gritty Eastern European fighter beats Slick African American or " Urban Rhythm" boxer,was evident again in Jamel Herrings last fight. I saw this coming !?Why exactly do you think this is??What does this say about Ward vs Kovalev? ?Drew in Erie PA

Bread’s Response: Great question. We saw the same thing with Kostya Tszyu vs Zab Judah and Sharmba Mitchell and Vasyl Lomachenko vs Gary Russell later…

I have a few reasons why. One is athleticism. The Eastern Euro fighters seem to have a great strength program. The difference in speed between the fighters who prosper in the “Urban Rhythm” and the fighters from Eastern Europe is not too much. The Urban Rhythm fighters usually have a much more perceptible advantage over the Latino fighters that they face.

I also think amateur back ground plays a part. Lots of the Latino fighters turn pro very early and learn to fight on the job. The Eastern Euro fighters have extensive amateur pedigree and they don’t have to wait until the second half of the fights to come on.

Last but not least I think the Eastern Euro fighters thrive on fighters who try to box them and move away. They want you to move away from them. Where as the Latino fighters actually want you to sit in the box and fight them. So the Urban Rhythm plays into their hands.

Bread,

You never responded to my MMA question, so I ask again; how would you train a boxer to be successful in the MMA cage?

Joe Louis is the greatest heavyweight of all time, no disrespect to Ali (RIP). But, The Brown Bomber was a sucker for a right hand throughout his career and got hit with way too many of them. Chappie Blackburn was a good trainer but he could never train that flaw out of Joe's fighting. When Joe was a prospect, he was approached to be trained by Jack Johnson, which they turned down because of the times, Johnson's reputation not withstanding. I think Johnson would've turned Joe into a much better fighter physically had they took him up on his offer, but he may not haven gotten the opportunities because of the Galveston Giants participation based on his history.

We also talked about Khan, courageous as he was to take on Canelo it is his skills that are immature. Khan's boxing mind trails his physical speed by a whole lot, he over commits to his speed, get's lost and doesn't know what to do to recover. Whenever he overcommits his chin is always exposed. If Virgil can ever teach him to fight within himself with patience and let the fight come to him he'll be formidable but I think it's too late for him.

In my humble opinion Thurman has digressed, he can no longer separate himself from his opponents in a fight as he could earlier in his career, so he's not improving. Yes he's fighting better opponents but if he's improving as a fighter you should be able to see it. Kell Brook was able to separate himself from Porter and defeated him much more impressively. Porter doesn't bring anything new into a fight what you see is what you get with him, and even Broner was able to catch him late and put him down.

Also my opinion, I thought Mauricio Herrera beat Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson as well, but judges favored Garcia and he got the nod. He hasn't done much as a 147lber and to me this is the weight class where everybody will see just how underdeveloped Garcia really is.

The top dog at 147lbs is Errol Spence, but I say that with the caveat that he faces better competition. Chris Algieri was on the lower rungs of the ladder that he needs to climb to get to the top, but he won't get a lot of takers until they're forced to fight him.

I hope some resourceful promoter can put together a 147lb tournament and get the top 8 or 10 147lbers to participate.

We've discussed Ward/Kovalev in the past and I'm on record as saying that Ward will make it look easy when he faces the Krusher. Ward has patiently cleaned out the 168lb division, and has begun his journey to do the same at 175lbs, and most prognosticators at this point are writing him off-just like they did prior to the super 6 tournament. Ward is a much better fighter now then he was then. Contrary to popular belief he's fighting the right guys to prepare himself after a long layoff.

Bread’s Response: I really never thought about training a boxer to fight in MMA. Let’s see. I would train him to start very fast. I’m talking Mike Tyson/Gerald McClellan type fast. The fight begins on their feet and that is where a boxer is most dangerous. I have also noticed that the fighters in the MMA don’t take clean punches too well. So I would train him to really go for the KO within the first minute of the fight.

I have no problem with you rating Joe Louis as the best heavyweight ever. I personally rate Ali as #1 but I get your point. It’s also a disservice to Louis that people associate the “Bum of the Month” moniker with his career when he fought 8 Hall of Famers.

Louis could be hit with right hands. I always say that every fighter has a blind spot just like every car. Louis’s was the right hand. Ali’s was the left hook….

I also agree that teaming up with Johnson would have helped Louis but I don’t think their personalities meshed. Knowledge is not the only thing that is needed to make a successful team.

I think Amir Khan is what he is at this point.

You may be right about Thurman but going 12 hard rounds in a 50/50 fight could improve him. Shawn Porter is no joke. I was actually impressed by Thurman for the first time in a while with this performance.

Garcia’s fights with Herrera and Peterson were really tough to score for me. I try not to keep watching fights over and over and rescoring because it contaminates your view. I will say that mathematically Danny has a case for winning each fight. But the overall event is where his reputation took a hit. But Danny has a way about him where he just wins. His performances aren’t always virtuosos but he seems to find a way to get the job done. I won’t count him out just yet. These next two years will be interesting.

Errol Spence seems like an uber talent. He just hasn’t had the opportunities to showcase his stuff against “known” opposition. Unfortunately I still think he will have to wait until next year to get a title shot.

If Andre Ward makes it look easy vs Krusher Kovalev he’s inducted in the HOF at that moment in my eyes. I’m picking him to win but I think it will be tough. Ward is better than he was 5 years ago but he’s also more settled and he doesn’t use his legs as much. He doesn’t move as much. In Kovalev he will be going up against an elite level jab, timing and power. While not being as mobile……I think we see a heck of a fight with Ward edging it. 

Brook by majority decision.

Bread’s Response: I was joking on twitter the other day and I said the same exact thing. I don’t pick Brook to win but I don’t know why everyone is so angry.

GGG has tried to fight Carl Froch at 168lbs. Froch said no. GGG tried to fight Billy Joe Saunders and he priced himself out and basically admitted he’s not ready. He also tried to fight Chris Eubank and Eddie Hearn who happens to be British said the Eubank’s demands were so outrageous that it ruined the negotiations. None of the top Americans at 160 are willing to fight him right now. Did I mention that the two most popular middleweights Canelo and Cotto indirectly claim they are too small for him.

So before we get mad at the fight, which I know you weren’t. Let’s get mad at this slew of fighters who won’t fight the guy. This is what I call a big money fight. Kell Brook was in the right place at the right time. Period.

As for the fight itself let me tell you guys something. GGG is the truth but he’s not invincible. Have you guys seen GGG vs Kasim Ouma. And Ouma was way past it. I think often times great offensive fighters get slightly overrated before their legacies are written.

We are also in an era where 95% of the fighters are fighting one division too small in terms of peak health performance. Kell Brook is busting out the seams at 147. In fact in the one fight that he struggled in recently, against Carson Jones he took the rematch above 147 so he could be stronger. He won’t have to cut weight or do anything drastic. He will be able to eat, and be sharp and strong and just train. When you cut too much weight unless your mineral intake is perfect is dulls your senses and reaction time.

He’s also not giving up much in height and reach. I pick GGG to win but I’m not outraged. I’m outraged that no 160lb fighter will fight him. Don’t believe the hype. None of the fighter in the middleweight division want to fight Golovkin except for Tureano Johnson!

Now let’s go back in history. Marlon Starling challenged Michael Nunn. Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad challenged Bernard Hopkins. Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns and Ray Leonard all challenged Marvin Hagler. Emille Griffith and Jose Napoles challenged Carlos Monzon. Carmen Basilio challenged Ray Robinson and Gene Fulmer. Ray Robinson challenged Jake Lamotta. Henry Armstrong challenged Ceferino Garcia. Cory Spinks challenged Jermaine Taylor.

I just came up with over a dozen cases off the top of my head where an ex or reigning welterweight champion challenged a great or excellent middleweight champion. What the hell is the big deal? In these fights where the smaller can handle the power, they actually do very well because they have a distinct speed and coordination advantage.

My only real criticism of the fight is Brook was not yet the man at 147. But in this era of 2 fights/year and one 50/50 fight every 2 years or so, we would be waiting another 3 years to figure out who the man is at 147.

Good afternoon Brother,

Any logical reason for putting Brook in with GGG....right now? Down the line yes. But, right now, 47-54 is stacked!!!! So why do this unless they see an angle? This could be a career shortening fight so I'm a bit perplexed.

Dant'e?Okc

Bread’s Response: See answer above and add this….

GGG has been denied notable name money fights for his entire career. When one lands in his lap he has a right to take it. I’m not outraged. He has tried to fight the two best middleweights the UK has to offer.

They needed to save the show and Brook volunteered. I say he extends GGG and does better than expected and you guys say GGG was always overrated.

Been a long time Bread.  But this Brook surprise got me thinking he could pull it off.  85% OF FIGHTERS TODAY fight below there natural weight cutting and draining to make weight. I look at Mayweather and Pac-Man as to solid examples of the benefits of fighting closer to your natural weight. Both fighters have done extremely well while they're opponents train for fighting and making weight they training to fight and don't compromise they're punch resistance or other attributes with possibly being weight drained. I think brook will come in at about 156 and pull it off by out boxing GGG who is no slouch on the sweet science  (olympic sliver medalist)

But I think Brooks own speed and surprising power will catch GGG of gourd. Brook is a big Welter and have you looked at his Cavs... reminds me of Hamed or Pacquiao Cavz. I thinks he can pull off this One time upset with the element of surprise and keep GGG turning all night. HOPE HE'S NOT BRAVE enough for a rematch . He needs to take that Wells and gradually get back to 147 I think he beats Spence and Thurman. The mega fight down the road is with Crawford at 147. Do you think if Brook pulls this off he will get a shot at Mayweather? Or Alvarez?  Possible match ups  coming up and some Mythical Match ups.

Crawford vs Postal  (I got Bud on a Ko/Tko inside 10) How about you Crawford seems like he's gearing up to another level.

Pacquiao vs Tyszu at 140.

Judah Vs Hatton at 140 prime

Corrales vs Nate Campbell @135

Gamboa Vs Freitas at 130

Salvador Sanchez Vs Lomachenko @ 126

Mayweather (that beat gatti)vs Crawford @ 140

Fernando Vargas Vs Mayweather @154

Sal Sanchez vs Rigo At 126

Pirog vs GGG

Brook VS Thurman

Bread’s Response: I don’t pick Brook to win but if pulls off this upset he’s the new face of boxing. And yes a Mayweather fight is possible.

Match ups… I like Crawford also. I say he wins a tough but clear decision.

Pacquiao vs Tszyu is an awfully tough fight to call. Tszyu is severely underrated. He didn’t make the list of the best 25 fighters of the last 25 years. He should have. It’s hard for me to go against prime Pacman hypothetically with fighters who are naturally 140 and below. So I flip a coin and say that the Pac who got Hatton drowns Tszyu.

Hatton was actually better in his pre title run. From 03-05 he was a whirlwind. I would have taken him over Judah.

Corrales beats Campbell. Freitas clips Gamboa. Sanchez SD over Loma. Mayweather, we don’t know enough about Crawford yet. Mayweather. Sanchez!!

Breadman. Question. Why doesn't / wouldn't Andre Ward's management match him against a Kovalev victim? I think Cedric Agnew or Blake Capallero would tell us a lot more than that English kid whose name escapes me, Sullivan Barrerra and this Brand kid will. Theories?

thanks,

Gabe

Bread’s Response: I don’t think getting a Kovalev victim proves anything. Kovalev hits harder. He will probably get the ko and Ward the decision. So what?

What team Ward was trying to do was get a Kovalev type style in the ring. Which in my opinion is much more important than getting a Kovalev victim. Sullivan Barerra was a fine pick. Barrera is not a carbon copy of Kovlaev but they have similar height, reach and they both work off of a strong jab.

Ideally for Ward’s next fight they could have found someone who fit the Krusher protype but for some reason no one took the fight. Ward had to fight and there are deadlines. So they settled. I think they tried they just weren’t able to pull it off.

What's up Bread?

I just wanted to get your thoughts on recent developments and upcoming fights:

1. What do you think about the GGG-Eubank Jr. and Brook-Vargas fallouts respectively and the GGG-Brook matchup itself?  Do you think Brook will do better than Khan did against Canelo? Do you think Eubank Jr. really wanted the GGG fight?

2. Does Chris Arreola have any shot against Deontay Wilder? I have noticed that Wilder hasn't been as light as he was in his title-winning effort against Bermane Stiverne.  That might not even be a factor but it is something that I've noticed.

3. Terrence Crawford vs. Viktor Postol.  This is a summit meeting at 140 that isn't getting nearly enough attention. 

4. Adonis Stevenson vs. Thomas Williams Jr.

5. Canelo Alvarez vs. Liam Smith (I watched some footage of Smith and his pressure attack appears to be tailor-made for Canelo's sharp counters)

6. Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz (I think Santa Cruz wins with his size, pressure, and underrated boxing ability)

7. Sergey Kovalez vs. Isaac Chilemba: Did Chilemba expose anything in going the distance with Krusher that Andre Ward could possibly exploit?

Peace,

William in West Palm

Bread’s Response: I think Brook will make more money fighting GGG than he would have vs Vargas. I think the money is considerable so he rolled the dice. Vargas will still be available if he loses to GGG. GGG may not have been available if he fought Vargas.

I think Brook is better equipped to handle a middleweight than Khan was. The problem is Brook is going up against GGG. It’s not a fair comparison because I think Brook would do better vs Canelo than Khan did….

Not sure if Eubank really wanted the fight. Sometimes you can do counterproductive things to sabotage a situation….

I don’t give Arreola much of a shot vs Wilder. I think Wilder beats him down to a late mercy stoppage.

You’re right Crawford vs Postol is not a super fight but it’s a huge legacy fight. Sometimes big fights just go under the radar. Chavez vs Rosario is similar. I like Crawford in a tough scrap.

This is a serious trap fight for Stevenson. I think Stevenson is burning the candles at both ends. He’s in his late 30’s. He hasn’t ben pushed in a long time. Williams can be hurt and he gives up his defense to land his shot. But he’s like a kamikaze pilot. He punches in the danger zone disregarding danger to land his money. This fight is almost certain to be a short exposlive shootout. McClellan vs Jackson, Trinidad vs Campas type. I give Williams a serious chance to win.

Smith has a fine trainer and he’s extremely conditioned. But Canelo is a class above. It should be entertaining but Canelo is too much.

Frampton can box and is more athletic than Santa Cruz. But Leo is a drowner. He bears down on his opponents and his timing is better than advertised. I think Leo wins a tight fight.

Chilemba didn’t expose Kovalev but the experts are starting to lean. Chilemba showed that Kovalev does not handle a jab back at him so well. He also jabbed from a lower angle in which Ward is a specialist at. It may not have been an exposing but the people who were on the fence are now on Ward.

In fairness to Kovalev I think it was the trap fight syndrome. From my eyes Kovalev’s conditioning was about 80%. He kept stepping off to get his breath after a volley. If Chilemba was more of an attacker Kovalev would have been in big trouble. But sometimes an average performance lights a fire. Anybody remember how Holyfield looked vs Bobby Czyz then how he looked vs Mike Tyson?

Send questions and comments to dabreadman25@hotmail.com