By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag is back. Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards takes a look at Premier Boxing Champions, Gennady Golovkin vs. Bernard Hopkins, Keith Thurman's situation with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Errol Spence, and more.

What's up! I wanted to talk to you about the PBC movement. I was reading your last post about your opinions on it and I agree with you 100% on the matchups that have been made. There has been great effort on their part to deliver a good product on free TV. I know you said for people not to panic right now because it's 6 months in but I gotta tell ya, my hand is on that panic button. Let me say this before I go further that I am black and I want all blacks to succeed in whatever business we have and take on.

The reason I feel this way about PBC is because there are no superstars in the group and I don't see any type of good developing for that. Khan, Broner, Thurman, and Danny Garcia has lost some steam lately. I think Golden Boy built those guys pretty well when they were under them and since they split, there has been no growing star power with them. Hopefully these guys fight each other soon and if they do, I'm not sure that the winner will become a breakaway star.

Also, Haymon has too many fighters. PBC has oversaturated the market putting on too many shows and most of the cards put together don't have the support of good fighters and the ratings to back it up. I mean, hardcore fans are watching but the ratings aren't as high because the general public don't care about the fights put together with fighters no one knows. Anyways, I think his roster needs to be cut at least 50% that way he can put quality cards together with fighters the general public have at least heard of. Again, not trying to be a hater but I think PBC needs to focus on the quality cards and not quantity by putting shows on so often with guys no one heard of. Also, the investors im sure cant be too thrilled.

I know they anticipated some loss in the beginning but I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel at this rate. What do you think? Thanks and hope this makes the mailbag.

Michael from Angleton

Bread’s Response: I’m going to give you some free advice. Don’t panic and don’t become overindulged in things you cannot control. A couple superstars may arise from the PBC. Or maybe at the least some good fights and some champions will surface. Who knows?

And as far as Haymon’s investors and Haymon’s signing of so many fighters. I try not to over or out think myself. Al Haymon is a lot smarter than me. And he was smart enough to get a group to invest an incredible amount of money in his vision. I’m assuming he told that group how he was going to pay them back WITH interest. He had to in order to get that kind of money. Just because he hasn’t told us that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The man moves in silence. That’s his way. So again let it play out. Give this thing a good 2 years. After that it’s fair to assess. But after 4 months….As the old saying goes..There is too much room between the cup and the lip.

What's going on bread? Just a few questions i wanna ask you. Out of all the current fighters who is the best defensive, who is the best puncher, the hardest puncher, quickest hands, best motor, best punch selection, best chin, who is the most dangerous fighter and who is the most violent fighter?

Bread’s Response: Best Defensive Fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Best Puncher Sergey Kovalev.

Hardest Puncher Dmitry Kudryashov, you have to see this guy hit, it’s unreal.

Quickest Hands Floyd Mayweather.

Best Motor Roman Gonzales.

Best Punch Selection Canelo Alvarez.

Best Chin Ruslan Provodnikov.

Most Dangerous Sergey Kovalev.

Most violent Gennady Golovkin.

Bread…What’s up King?

Congratulations on the win in Birmingham.  J Rock is that fire!  “I heard you yelling about the other fighters equilibrium (Lol)!” Them combinations that Julian was throwing were ridiculous, great balance and great head/body movement.  When you two get that 1st strap…while everyone is coming for your money, I just want an autographed t-shirt!

I wanted to comment on your Top 10 Super Middleweight list; you have Calzaghe ranked ahead of Toney and Ward.  Calzaghe’s 2 biggest wins are against Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler (fighter’s in their prime). at 168 Toney beat Barkley, Dewitt, Williams, Thornton and Tim Littles.  Andre Ward won the Super 6 tournament and then gave an undefeated Chad Dawson the business.  Based on your criteria I just don’t understand…Calzaghe’s career is filled with an abundance of misses!  Joe won the title in 1997 and didn’t fight stiff competition for almost the next ten years.  If not for fighting Hopkins, Jones and Eubanks late, he has never be a HOF.  To Andre Ward, if Ward stopped boxing today…”he has a better resume than Calzaghe.  More accomplished fighters beaten in their prime or undefeated (Ward).  Please help me understand?

C/Hawk

Bread’s Response: You know what you have a great argument and I could have easily put Toney or Ward at #2. It does take away from Calzaghe’s legacy that he waited so long to come over to the states. It’s a serious knock. The guy finished 46-0 and it actually goes overlooked a little bit because a large portion of his reign went unnoticed. But he was a little more consistent than Toney and he has some underrated victories that people forget. Charles Brewer and a young Sakio Bika were “real” fights vs real men. But overall Toney, Ward and Calazghe are interchangeable in that #2 spot. I just gave Joe the edge because of longevity and looking back on the Hopkins victory now it he gets a little more credit because in 2008 Hopkins still had a great deal left in the tank. Hopkins defeated Pavlik AFTER he fought Calzaghe and won the lightheavyweight title 2 more times.

Bread,

I like Hank Lundy but he gets too caught up in the drama of the fight. Hank loses focus and gets ‘lost in the fight’ while he’s fighting and his opponents take advantage of that. Hank has very good skills. Hank’s handlers and coaches needs to keep him out of the extracurricular activities associated with the fight and keep him focused and disciplined with respect to just fighting. I know Hank likes to sell his fights by ‘talking it up’, but he’s on the verge of becoming an opponent, a gatekeeper that ‘up and comers’ want on their resume’s to move up the boxing ladder to championship fights and better paydays.

I know you were looking at Jules facing Harrison the last time we talked – Jules would’ve massacred Harrison, even though I think Harrison would’ve been more ‘up’ for a Julian Williams fight then a Willie Nelson fight where they clearly underestimated the 6’3” jr. middleweight.  Nelson seems to have digressed in his boxing development he was tentative against Harrison, but Harrison was so full himself he couldn’t pull the trigger either. Nelson will get a couple of good paydays as an opponent for maybe Andrade or one of the Charlo’s, or maybe Julian Williams! After those two fights Nelson will go back to the end of the line unless he upsets someone.

If Paulie is smart and he’s been commentating for a while now and can see fighters flaws close up, he’ll use those enhanced powers of observation and realize that Garcia is a one armed fighter. If Garcia can’t land that left hook he gets ‘lost in the fight’ and retreats. Paulie can win if he’s motivated like he was against Zab Judah.

Bread’s Response: You make a good point about Lundy. He’s a very emotional fighter and you can see all of his emotions. There always seems to be a moment in his big fights where a lack of focus seems to really cost him. Great observation. As far as fixing the problem, I’m not sure at this point if anybody can do anything about it. Lundy is a veteran. He’s well over 30. And he changes corners often therefore it’s fair to assume he never had the calming presence to settle him down. Sometimes fighters are what they are. The same things that make them good are also their flaws. I think Lundy will get one more big shot and if he loses that….I think he gets the Terrance Crawford fight.

Paulie is super sharp when it comes to boxing. I have talked to him several times. Now whether he can see those same things in the ring and exploit them is a different story. 

I don’t think Danny is a one handed fighter. I think he favors his left hook. But Danny has a good looping right hand also. Watch him close. The hook is just usually the clean up shot he brings AFTER his body is torqued over from a thrown right hand. I think Danny will need a solid plan in this fight. Sometimes in his fights where he doesn’t have an obvious role is where he struggles.

Look at the Matthysse fight…In that fight Danny was the clear boxer. He didn’t have to think about it his role so he prospered. In the Khan fight, he was the attacker. He didn’t have to think about it.

Now look at the Peterson fight. Peterson at times boxed then at times he attacked and Danny was a little confused. Look at the Herrera fight. At times Herrera attacked at time he boxed. Danny was a little confused.  I know I went deep but look closely. You will see what I mean.

The bottom line is Paulie has to confuse Danny in order to be effective. We know Paulie is a boxer but you can box with different temperaments. You can box aggressively and you can box relaxed and passive. Paulie has to change the mood of the fight and not let Danny set in a groove, where he times him. I know Danny is the favorite but I am actually looking forward to the fight.

Who do you think wins the Badou Jack vs George Groves? I can’t call it. But I’m leaning towards Groves.  Also Vanes Martyrosyan vs Ishe Smith.

Bread’s Response: I’m a big fan of Badou Jack. I love how he came back from his loss. He also got jobbed in a draw and he didn’t let it discourage him. Anthony Direll is a very good fighter and Jack really handled him. He was way too strong for Direll in that fight which shocked me.

I used to be higher on George Groves..but when you watch a fighter out of enjoyment and you watch a fighter out of observation you look at them different. Groves can fight but he tries to do too much. He also fights in a pronounced hunched over crouch that has to be tiresome to his back and quads. I believe that’s why he comes apart late in fights. I also didn’t like how Groves was hurt by Froch almost on cue in both fights.  I think we are headed to a controversial decision. I think Jack is down on points early but closes the gap with his steady ways. I really believe this is a drawish type of fight.

What’s interesting about Smith vs Vanes is the stereotype trained thinkers will assume Smith is the faster more athletic fighter and Vanes will be the more cerebral one. But in this case I think it’s the exact opposite. Go figure.

Ishe Smith never gets stopped and I don’t expect him to get stopped by Martyrosyan who never stops his better opponents. So we are looking at a distance fight. Smith has solid skills but he has always been a little slow to me as far as getting his punches off. He also doesn’t have eye catching punch technique. His punches just don’t stand out that’s why he loses lots of close fights. I say Vanes is a little too busy and he does have a more eye catching offense and he wins a decision. But it’s not a blow out. Maybe 1 or 2 points in Vane’s favor. I expect Ishe to fight a good fight but I don’t think it will be enough.

We have some good fights coming up. What are your takes. Bhop vs GGG. Mares vs Santa Cruz. And one I know you are paying attention too Charlo vs K9? Do you think it plays out like Nelson vs Harrison?

Bread’s Response: Bhop usually dominates shorter fighters who bring pressure like GGG. Hopkins’s Achilles is the longer more athletic guys. So if Hopkins fights GGG I definitely think he has a chance. But I need to know more.  Most importantly what weight will the fight be held at. If they sign and we can find out a weight I can give you a better assessment.

Mares vs Santa Cruz is interesting. Mares peaked out a few years ago vs Anselmo Moreno, that was a terrific vicory. Santa Cruz has not looked dominant since he was a bantamweight. So one fighter looks to be slightly on the downside in Mares and Santa Cruz looks to me like a stagnant fighter who has not improved in about 3 years. I slightly favor Mares. I think he has more layers to his game and I believe he fights at a more productive rhythm. He can control Santa Cruz more than Sanata Cruz can control him.

Jermall Charlo vs K9 Bundrage should be interesting. No I don’t think it plays out like Nelson vs Harrison. I think Jermall is stronger and more mature than Harrison. I think he will seize the moment a little better than Harrison. And I think his punching power is more legit. You also have to realize that Harrison was facing a fighter in Nelson who was 29 years old. K9 is in his 40’s.

I think Jermall is the correct favorite but I don’t believe K9 is upside down. Jermall is the bigger more physically imposing twin, but he’s also the slower, more deliberate one. Jermall fights like a bigger man. He fights like a lightheavuweight. He doesn’t navigate around the ring too much. And when a bigger fighter lacks movement they become big targets. K9 has a sneaky way of lulling you to sleep. He extends his arms and touches you to gauge distance and manipulate your hands then BOOM he drops a nasty right hand. Cory Spinks could never figure out the move.

Coach Ronnie Shields and Jermall will have to figure this out. K9 is 5’6 but he’s extremely long and his arms are powerful. You don’t want him touching your hands. He can move them out of the way and disrupt your defense.  But unlike the Nelson vs Harrison fight I think the younger fighter in Charlo will get stronger as the fight goes on. K9 is heavily muscled and he gassed a little vs Ishe Smith and got outhustled in the last part of the fight. He did the same thing vs Joel Julio. K9 has a habit of pulling back off of a right hand and Jermall has a very good one.  I think K9 knocks Jermall down early but Jermall gets up and comes on late. Not sure if he stops K9 but I think he wins a clear decision or gets a late stoppage in a good fight.

Do you agree with Keith Thurman when he asked Floyd Mayweather for 10 million to Errol Spence? Thurman seems to be annoyed that Mayweather is playing matchmaker.

Bread’s Response: I think Floyd is putting on his promoter hat and he knows Thurman vs Spence is a very good fan friendly fight. He’s obviously backing Spence and I agree with him, Spence wins. But being able to beat someone and deserving a fight are two different things. Unfortunately for Spence he has not defeated one fighter in the top 20, No ex world champions and no recognizable names. So in my opinion it’s an easy argument for Thurman.

If Floyd can say Thurman does not deserve a fight with him then Thurman can say Spence does not deserve a fight with him.  If Spence had a Devon Alexander, Andre Berto, Paulie Malignaggi, Robert Guerrero under his belt and possibly an undefeated prospect like Sammy Vasquez then I would be beating the drums for the kid. I’m not implying he should have to fight all of them in order to get  a title shot but 1 or 2 of them would suffice. Spence does not have one…..

I don’t think Thurman can get 10 million for the fight but I definitely think he needs to be paid to make a voluntary defense, against a kid who does not really deserve the fight, that will probably beat him. Keith will be in a tough spot if he fights Errol Spence.

I thought John Beninati was Al Haymon’s matchmaker. In the last mailbag you said that you didn’t know who made Harrison vs Nelson. But if Beninati is Haymons’ matchmaker he was probably responsible. You also  said Top Rank has the best matchmakers but can you give us names of the best matchmaker. Not by company but by specific names?

Bread’s Response:  John Beninati is one of Haymon’s matchmakers but he wasn’t responsible for the Nelson vs Harrison fight. Beninati is actually one of the better matchmakers I know. He has matched Julian Williams, Direll Brothers, Gary Russell, Tureano Johnson, Franciso Santana, Chad Dawson and James Kirkland. He helped all of those guys from very early in their careers become top contenders or world champions.

In my opinion the best matchmakers are…..The ones who can tell who will win a fight, why they will win and when is a good time to take a fight. Brad Goodman, Bruce Trampler, Russell Peltz, John Beninati, RIP Johhny Bos and whoever does the matching for Eddie Hearn over at Matchroom. Whoever that is he does a great job.

Speaking of Bos he was terrific. I got to speak with him frequently over the phone before he died. He had his problems but he had a terrific boxing brain. He’s one of the reasons why I got better at picking fights. One of the things he used was “timing”. It’s not always who is better but who is better at that time. He swore Tommy Morrison would have beat an older Larry Holmes in the early 90s..That’s just one of the great stories of matchmaking he gave me.  Long live the Bos.

Send questions to: dabreadman25@hotmail.com