The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards tackling topics such as the saga between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence, Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Devin Haney, the career of Roy Jones Jr, Youtber turned boxer Jake Paul, and more.

What a disappointing end to the year with Crawford ultimately choosing to back out of the Spence fight. I know many people rate him as the best, including yourself, but how much longer will he be able to get a pass fighting mediocre opposition? The excuse before was always that Arum didn’t want to negotiate outside top rank, but that excuse can’t be used anymore. In his first fight out of contact he has the opportunity to fight for undisputed by only beating two champions since Spence won three titles and he chooses Avenysan.

So many people are surprised but the reality is this it aligns with his welterweight resume - I won’t fault him for fighting horn as horn was a champion but he fought two guys who had been knocked out before with Kahn and brook (who wasn’t even a welterweight anymore), porter who lost every big fight he had been in, Benavidez after he was shot in the leg and Mean machine who was able to hurt Crawford. I just can’t imagine any other fighter with this sort of resume being regarded as highly as Crawford especially when he didn’t exactly dominate these guys (I think his ability to finish is elite but he doesn’t always look elite until that point). I feel like this was one of the biggest duck moves in recent boxing history and yet the people who one sidedly praised him in contrast to hating Spence like Andre Ward and Roy Jones are suddenly silent. I am not the biggest Canelo fan (you once published a long rant where I described him cheating) but if Canelo did something to this extent the boxing world would not be silent.

Crawford had the audacity to say Canelo is scared to fight Black people when Canelo has taken 5x more dangerous fights than Crawford. He fought the likely best boxer ever in his early 20s, he comes back and fights Lara who had a similar style, became undisputed at 168, challenges one of the more elite guys at 175 who had a very apparent visible size advantage. Yet if we listen to people like Ward you would think Canelo is a fraud and Crawford is more highly rated than Sugar Ray Leonard but can you imagine if Leonard never fought Duran, Haggler, or Hearns?

I don’t feel people would have rated him that highly yet this is the space we find with Crawford whose biggest win has been against a tiny guy in Gamboa who has gone on to lose so many fights. Would he curious to hear your thoughts.

Bread’s Response: Ok…Where do I start? I think Crawford has made some mistakes on the business end but I do believe he’s a great fighter. Both can be true. I don’t think his resume is GREAT, but I think it’s solid. It lacks big names but his competition has been good. Good enough to earn his status. He’s fought several RING rated fighters....

Let’s look at it. As a contender he fought undefeated Andrey Klimov to get a title shot, then Ricky Burns on the road who was a solid champion. Then he fights undefeated Yuri Gamoboa who was a talented but misguided fighter. Gamboa was a HOF level talent. Crawford then fights Beltran for the RING title at 135. His days at 135 are over. Solid work.

He moves up to 140lbs and fights a 22-1 Thomas Dulorme for a belt. Dulorme has a real talent and he was in his prime. Before he took his 1st loss I can remember the push behind him. His next viable opponent was undefeated Viktor Postol in a unification. Postol was 28-0. Excellent fighters are still struggling with Postol until this day. Postol almost screwed up a unification between Taylor and Ramirez but no one will talk about it. Crawford handled him coming off of his best career performance vs Matthysse. That was a big, real win. 

Crawford then takes on two PBC affiliated fighters in John Molina and Felix Diaz. Molina was a showcase fight. But Felix Diaz was just on the tough end of a controversial decision vs Lamont Peterson. Peterson is an excellent fighter. Diaz is a Gold Medalist. I think this fight marked the transformation in Crawford. He went from an excellent fighter to a great fighter the night he beat Diaz. He completely dominated Diaz. Perfect fight. Then he fights Julius Indongo for all 4 belts. I know Indongo turned out to be underwhelming in terms of the level of fighter who fights for all 4 belts. But he had 2 belts and he was undefeated. Crawford fought who was available and did what he was supposed to do. Indongo was the CHAMP. 

Crawford moves up and beats undefeated Jeff Horne. Crawford can’t help Horne got a gift. Most thought Pacman won. Here is the funny thing. Horne did better than the announcers gave him credit for. Then Crawford takes on the undefeated Jose Benavidez and Benavidez fought excellent. Watch that fight. Benavidez won about 4  rounds. Crawford was just Crawford and took him apart down the stretch. The Amir Khan fight was a money grab but all fighters take money grabs if they can. I’m not claiming that Khan was a legacy fight, but you brought up Canelo. Canelo fought Khan for the lineal middleweight title for crying out loud. 

The Mean Machine fight was REAL. Mean Machine was the best available fighter Top Rank could deliver. I’m in the minority here, but Kell Brook fought really well vs Crawford. Brook was in the best shape he’s been in, in years. Crawford caught Brook with a PERFECT punch and it ended the fight early. But watch that fight. Brook was in rare form. Then Crawford fought another PBC affiliated fighter in Shawn Porter who had only lost to Brook, Thurman and Spence. All by close decisions in fights Porter thought he won. Crawford stopped a Shawn Porter who was GREAT form. I have no issue with that fight. 

PBC understands that Welterweight is the money division. So when Top Rank had the big fights at 147 from 2009-16 it was par for the course. Top Rank mixed and matched Manny Pacquiao, Tim Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito, Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado for years on years. Crawford unfortunately can’t help he’s younger than them. He came after them. By the time he got to 147, PBC had the WBC, IBF and WBA in their stable. Top Rank only had dibs on the WBO. 

So, Errol Spence turned out to be the best of PBC in their era at 147 and systematically and strategically collected 3 out of the 4 belts. He also performed better on PPV in terms of numbers than Crawford did. I don’t know who is the blame for that. But it created a situation where Spence would have negotiation leverage over Crawford so props to Team Spence. Crawford re-signed with Top Rank during the middle of his ascension. I’m not saying he should NOT have. But I am saying he re-signed with a company who didn’t have the names at his weight class. Eventually he left Top Rank but he was 34 when he left and Bob Arum had already publicly stated he was HARD to promote. That’s a major issue on how other promoters look at Crawford moving forward. Everyone can always 2nd guess decisions but Crawford is too good for his own good and his talent is also a reason big fights have missed him. 

Signing with PBC may or may not have gotten him the big names of Thurman, Pacquioa, Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner or Errol Spence. Top Rank was able to get him some B side fighters from PBC. But not the A side bigger names. So now we are at a fork in the road. Crawford is 35 years old, with no real home base. No promoter to really love and fight for him. Even if he signs with PBC. That would be business. PBC loves Errol. He’s their highest rated P4P fighter. He’s their darling. Have you ever seen a kid move in with his dad, when Dad has a new family and new wife. That kid always compares how his siblings are treated in comparison to him. That kid is hard to satisfy. That would most likely be Crawford if he signs with PBC. 

Comfort and familiarity is a big reason why people don’t move. A big reason why couples don’t divorce. And a big reason why fighters stay with the same company. At this point I think Crawford has to get it done for his legacy. He has to get the right people around him to figure it out. But I don’t think he’s scared to fight Spence. I don’t think Spence is scared to fight him. I think both are stubborn and Crawford may not acknowledge that Errol has more leverage because of the moves PBC made many years ago. 

I also don’t want to make comparisons with Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez’s competition level is better but Alvarez is the biggest star in boxing. Alvarez is every opponent’s career high payday. No one will tell him no to a fight. It’s just too much money involved. He offers something different than Crawford does. GGG just made 20 million fighting him. Again, Crawford is too good for his own good. If he had Alvarez’s star power, he wouldn’t be in this situation. But Alvarez has been able to get away with things Crawford hasn’t. He just has a larger field of opponents to pick from so he can choose his opponents more wisely. Crawford does not have a buffet. Canelo does. Usually the biggest star in boxing does. I get your frustration. I get you just wanting to see the best fight the best. It is frustrating. But the comparison is just off. However, I will repeat and say it again. At this point Crawford needs to find a way to get it done. All of the big fights he wants are with PBC. Most of the fights that makes sense for him he would have to do business with a company that doesn’t love him, like they love the fighter they are representing. 

If he fought Vergil Ortiz, Golden Boy would rock hard for Ortiz. If he fought Jaron Ennis, Showtime would rock hard for Ennis. If he fought Errol Spence or Jermell Charlo he would still be dealing with PBC. If Josh Taylor moved up, he would be dealing with Top Rank again. I don’t know Bud Crawford but I respect the heck out of him as a fighter. He’s a HOF and I was telling people how good he was all the way back in 2012. But I have a saying for him that a wise man once told me. “YOU GET MORE BEES WITH HONEY.”

Terence Crawford’s next fight is on BLK Prime. His divisional peer, Adrien Broner, just signed a contract with BLK Prime that pays him an insane amount of money. I’m guessing the idea for BLK Prime is to make Crawford-Broner. To me, it makes a lot of sense. It’s probably the best selling welterweight PPV not involving Errol Spence.I would love to get your take on whether or not you think Crawford-Broner is in play now. Thank you!

Bread’s Response: This is a good question but I have no idea if Crawford vs Broner is in play. I don’t even know who’s running BLK Prime. Who’s financing BLK Prime. Who their matchmakers are? I don’t know anything about the company. So I would have to see who’s a part of the company before I say if Crawford vs Broner is in play. As time goes on everyone and everything reveals itself. 

Dear Stephen,

Hope that all is good with you and still enjoy reading your weekly mailbag here under are a few subject on which i would like to have your expert opinion :1- dirty fighters--jean pascal was soundly beaten twice by kovalev and each time it looked to me that he was clearly done for the highest level, then all of a sudden he seemed to get younger than ever and did very good fights again eleider alvarez and marcus browne.to be honest i always thought that this post kovalev version of jean pascal was not clean, and it came to me as no surprise when he got caught. Then came the fiasco connor benn vs eubanks jr. I must admit that I never thought that connor benn was loaded but now that he has been found positive after vada testing, it occurs to me that until not so long ago, benn looked like a good fighter but without anything special and then suddenly he looked like a beast, destroying with ease any fighters put in in front of him despite a better level of opposition.

What is striking about jean pascal and connor benn is how better they looked in their last fights, and given the fact that they tested positive it is quite frightening to see how a loaded fighter can seem  a better fighter when taking forbidden products? you might tell me that for connor benn, until he is proven guilty, is innocent, but personally it seems to me that his last much improved fights combined with vada positive testing. show that  he probably is a dirty fighter and i hope that he will be suspended for minimum 2 years at least, and i would not mind if he was not fighting again ever, as boxing being such a dangerous sport, I think that dirty fighters should be convicted very heavily for their wrongdoings. this bring me to ask you 3 questions :-everybody knows that boxing is a good business which generates a lot of money and which as such unfortunately is not always doing the right things.

However it becomes more and more clear that vada testing is the only way to find out if a fighter is clean or not .as such if the a-aside for a given fight does not require for vada testing, would you agree that then we can suspect that this fighter is not clean himself ?indeed if I was a clean fighter and if I was the a-side for a fight i would for sure request vada testing to make sure that my opponent is also clean....- you always require vada testing for any fight involving your fighters ?- you probably wont be able to name them, without any kind of proof, but are there many fighters at the highest level that you think are dirty fighters and fighting while taking unlawful products? if yes can you advise if in your views this is only a very few fighters or if unfortunately there are many more connor benn than we think?

2- at some stage during this year, I was hoping that at the end of 2022 we would have fury-usyk for the undisputed title heavyweight of the world, spence-crawford for the undisputed title welterweight of the world, and beterbiev-bivol for the undisputed title light heavyweight of the world. instead of that we will get crawford-avanesyan, bivol-ramirez, and fury-chisora 3....I can accept bivol-ramirez as it still is a very interesting fight, but crawford-avanesyan (despite I have respect for avanesyan) instead of spence-crawford... thanks but no thanks...as for fury-chisora 3.... what to say ....fury already  beat easily chisora twice quite easily, and since then fury has further improved while chisora is quite a burnt fighter...this fight has absolutely zero interest for any boxing fan which has any knowledge of the sport, and could even be viewed as a dangerous fight for chisora's health at this stage of his career, but then I hear that 50,000 tickets have already been sold in uk ....may be at the end boxing fans are so stupid that they get the fights they deserve?

What is your view on this ?3-congratulations for the caleb plant's great win. What a knockout!!! but I have to tell you in all honesty, that I did not like his gesture at the end, when he was pretending to dig dirrell's grave. I dont blame him for being upset at some comments which were made by dirrell, but when your opponent is on the ground, there is no need for what he did.as you are a wise man, may be you can tell him next time to behave with a little bit more class after he has knocked out his opponent?

Keep up the good work.

Chris from France 

Bread’s Response: Great question!

1a) It’s not always what a fighter says. But it’s what he doesn’t say. Whenever I see a fight and the A side fighter does not ask for VADA I become suspicious. 

1b) I have asked for VADA testing in every fight, that was on the level to afford it. You can’t ask for VADA for a 6 round $2,500 fight. All fighter’s health are important but you have to be realistic and reasonable. I have even asked VADA to test my guys when they were in the Clean Testing Program and the opponent was not even being tested. What I came to realize is, that most people in boxing don’t care as much as I do. I also realized Magaret Goodman is one of the best things to EVER happen to boxing. She earned her HOF status. 

1c) Yes there a few fighters who I suspect at this current moment. And none of them have performed under STRICT VADA as of yet. I don’t think Connor Benn is alone. I also felt uncomfortable with his performance vs Chris Algieri but I didn’t say anything because you just can’t until a fighter test positive. But I didn’t like what I saw. I didn’t like the feeling I got. I didn’t like his disposition. I just recently saw this same thing out of a few other fighters. It’s a viciousness. It’s no let up in the attack. It’s hard to explain in words but you sort of know it when you see it. At this current moment there are about 7 world class fighters that I am keeping a keen eye on. Overall I think there is a large Percentage of top 10 guys who cycle when they aren’t in camp. 

You know exactly what to look for because you stated it in your comment. Fighters who look to be done, then they turn back the hands of time and they aren’t VADA testing. Fighters who are the A side but don’t ask for VADA. I will give you one more. Fighters who improve drastically from fight to fight, not in small increments and they do so while not testing.

2. The end of 2022 will be a slight let down but the 1st part was excellent so we have to take the good with the bad. Here is something I have noticed with boxing trends. The bigger fights are happening earlier in the year because the budget is UNUSED earlier and fighters like fighting once a year. So expect some big fights to be announced for the 1st half of 2023

3. Thank you. 

You know Caleb and Anthony shook hands in the back after the fight. Men gain respect for each other after they go to battle, sometimes a battle is needed. I thought Anthony performed very well in his defeat. Obviously Caleb looked awesome. Hopefully they gained a mutual respect for each other after sharing the ring. 

Sup Bread,1. Do you think that Lomachenko should go down to 130 lbs? I do not see him beating any of the young guns. Haney and Stevenson likely win a UD. I have not seen Ryan Garcia go 12 rounds, hence not certain about the outcome but if Garcia has good cardio, he will beat him. Someone like Zepeda will beat him up bad. Stylistically, he may only be live with Tank. He is not only small for the weight class, he is short and has very small arms. 2. Man, this guy Zepeda along with Vergil Ortiz has something that is very rare today. Crazy confidence, good chin and the ability to punch along with their opponents. SRL was a master of this back in the 80s. In your opinion, is this type of style worth the risk? I mean, is punching along with the opponent a good style worth the risk.3. 135 is on fire right now. So many prospects. What is your opinion of Floyd Schofield? After a long time, GBP has been able to sign a blue-chip black prospect.

Regards, Saurabh

Bread’s Response: 1) I have said several times that Loma has slipped. Now people are echoing what I have observed since the Linares fight. I wanted to be sure so I didn’t judge him until 4 fights after and he never returned to the form he had vs Linares and previous fights at 130lbs. At this point I don’t think he wants to go back down to 130lbs. He’s a GAMER. He’s a GUN. He wants the smoke. I’m not into holding a man back from what he wants. I don’t think Loma beats Devin or Shakur right now either but he has a right to try. I need to see more of Ryan. Loma vs Tank would be a WAR.

2)I’m a big fan of William Zepeda. I want to see more of him. Of course it’s worth it. 

3)I haven’t seen much of Floyd Schofield but from what I’ve seen, he seems really talented, strong and athletic.

What’s up coach? I don’t think boxing fans realize how special Loma is. To come back from war at 34 years old and beat the best version of Jamaine Ortiz we’ve seen. A young, physical, aggressive, power punching 135 contender and with no tuneup. I know I’m in the minority here but I think Loma will beat Devin Haney. Teofimo and Jamaine Ortiz gave Lomanchenko problems because of their physicality in the ring. They were longer, but not afraid to rough Loma up in there and both fighters have respectable power.  I think that’s what had him start slower in each fight.

However, I don’t think Devin Haney possesses those qualities. He has the length and boxing skills to frustrate Loma, but lacks the power and physicality. I actually think Loma will be the more solid, stronger fighter in the ring vs Haney. And I think he holds the power advantage because Haney has been rocked in fights. Unless Haney breaks character and picks his punch output up considerably, Loma may even be able to stop him late. Wanted to hear your thoughts on this potential matchup and how Haney vs Loma would play out.

Thanks, Ed H

Bread’s Response: I love Loma. I think he’s a HOF. I think his run from 2014-18 was underrated. He fought about 5 perfect fights in a row. He’s a special, special fighter. Head to head he matches up well vs some of the best featherweights and junior lightweights of the last 40 years. Sal Sanchez, Eusabio Pedraza, Azumah Nelson, Jeff Fenech, Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather. Vasyl Lomachenko is in that realm as a fighter. That’s how good he is. I’m not saying he beats everyone. But he surely won’t lose to everyone. But I think he’s slipped since the Linares fight. I also think 135lbs is his ceiling weight. I think the length and natural size of the lightweights, coinciding with Loma being 34 each of his fights have been hard physically. Just look at them. Even the Commey fight. He was outclassing Commey but the fight was physical. Loma knew it and that’s why he wanted it stopped. He wasn’t that merciful towards Commey……I don’t think Loma beats Haney at this point. But let’s see. 

Hey Bread,

If we remove all the biases, jealousy or frustration that most people and fighters can understandably have for Jake Paul headlining a PPV, can we acknowledge that the kid can fight? And although he has a lot of resources, as you know, most people would not go through that sh!t if they didn’t have to. We must give him is due. Now, is he ever gonna be a world beater? Of course not. But man, he started boxing 2 and a half years ago. At 22. Only a handful of fighters started in their twenties and did something. Often times heavyweights. I think of Sergio Martinez recently. So for him to have the level he has, it’s impressive. He drops his hands, ducks too low, swings wide sometimes. But he kept his composure, showed heart, a good chin, poise, and some good feints and old school stance. And of course, he has natural punching and fighting ability. Funny thing, people make fun of him, but he would beat 99.9%. Also, I’m European. Besides Eastern boxers and Brits, we completely suck. I’m telling you I would bet my house on Jake Paul winning say the French, Italian or Spanish light heavyweight title. Of course, he must stay away from the Russian or Ouzbek dudes who have been fighting since they are kids in the amateur. But still, really impressive. Question: If you had two years to train him, using his deep resources, what would be his ceiling in your opinion? Best,D

Bread’s Response: I don’t like to say what I would do if I were training a fighter. It’s slightly disrespectful to whoever is training him currently. Jake Paul’s trainers are doing a good job with him. I’ve said before that he has natural fighting instincts. He has heavy hands and he’s competent in the ring. What Paul has to do is keep cultivating his ability and staying busy with progressively better opponents, while taking fights at about a 65/35 ratio in terms of his chance to win. 

He almost misjudged Anderson Silva. I think Silva was a little more live than Team Paul expected but he still got the W. As long as Paul can pick his own fights, he’s going to get better and better and better. Matchmaking is the most important aspect of the business side of boxing. Some fighters are ALLOWED to get better. Some are thrown in the fire. Because Paul has his own brand, he’s ALLOWING himself to get better. 

I see a BIG PPV fights vs faded but name worthy fighters or ex MMA fighters between 175-200 who he catches at the right time. Believe it or not, I think he beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his current form. Paul is smart and he has smart matchmaking. I see him being relevant until he’s not anymore. But he’s going to make a load of money, while doing his thing in boxing.

Greetings Mr Edwards,

I hope you and your family are doing well. Last week we had two marquee fights. Although one looked like scripted sports entertainment. The Loma-Ortiz fight was very close none of the fighters had a very convincing case, the compubox stats were also pretty even, for me it was a draw, Loma landed cleaner shots but ortiz was better at ring generalship and showed really good defense. He was particularly good at cancelling Loma's signature feints and angles which most of his opponents have struggled with. Loma also looked somewhat rusty and less sharp. I think based on what we saw in this fight, Loma could have a chance against Stevenson but he won't have any chance against Haney. It's not a common opinion but I'm saying this because Ortiz used his long jab effectively all night and imposed himself physically. Loma will face the same things in an Haney who is much better.

Against Stevenson he's coming up against a comparatively smaller defensive fighter so it could be a chess match between them. How did you see the fight and what are his chances against the likes of Shakur, Haney and Tank? Is Loma on the decline or was it just due to the war and inactivity? Also how high is the potential of Ortiz? This week there's another great fight between Bivol and Zurdo Ramirez. Zurdo is a tough fighter and probably has a solid chin but quite slow does not impose his size and reach and if he does not do that it'll be like the Usyk vs Joshua fights and Bivol will pick him apart fighting on the outside. What scenarios do you see in this fight? Finally we'll see the first undisputed heavyweight champion next year. It's too early for predictions but I wanted to know your thoughts on how will Usyk get inside the left lead jab Of Fury and will the heavy clinch approach of Fury work against a fighter like Usyk?

Thank you for enriching us with your knowledge.

Bread’s Response: Haney is so long and he fights at a such a range I think he’s a big issue for everyone at 135 stylistically. Haney has the range of a welterweight. I think Shakur Stevenson may be boxing’s most difficult puzzle to solve currently. Loma would have a tough time with both. Both as you stated their styles are different. I think they both beat him in his current form. Yes unfortunately I think he’s slipping. I give him props for even wanting to go near them at this time.

I think Zurdo is live vs Bivol. After a fighter’s Super Bowl often times they have a let down performance unless they are truly special and even still I’ve seen it. It will be difficult for Bivol to be in the same form he was in for Canelo. And what Canelo was to Bivol, Bivol will be to Zurdo. Don’t be surprised if this is a hotly contested fight.

Hello Breadman thanks for the answer last week. My questions for you this week are 1. Who is the current BEST Latino fighter in boxing in your opinion (that is Not named Canelo)? IMO it was easily and by far Teofimo Lopez Jr and I think talent wise is still him but you know the effect of a loss on a career these days. 2. Why do the fans seem to dislike/disrespect Tank Davis but listening to the REAL fighters and people who have shared the ring with him (sparring/training) most swear that he is the top talent in all of The lighter weights? But fans don't seem to see the same. 3. Lastly, are there any elite MMA fighters you feel could make a serious run at a world title in boxing? 4. Thank you much respect. 

Bread’s Response: 1. The best Latino fighter. I would say Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. The 1st Ballot HOF and 4 division champion. Did you forget?

2. Tank Davis is the TRUTH. He’s much better than people realize. The critics don’t like how he’s being moved because money and popularity seem to be paramount. But I know what I see. Tank is a special fighter. He’s a top 10 P4P talent. I hope to see him vs Garcia, Haney, Stevenson or Loma next year.

3.  I don’t follow MMA enough to say.

4. You’re welcome.

Good Evening Bread, I hope all is good with you & yours. I have been surprised & distressed how many young British fighters hardly ever throw a jab. I was always told that the jab is far & away the most important punch there is. It has more value than any other punch because even if it doesn't score it helps you measure your distance. If you are a defensive fighter the jab stops the attacker in his tracks. If you are an attacking fighter, the jab pushes your opponent back towards where you want him. To me, almost all great fighters have had great jabs, the only exceptions being Marciano & Tyson.  I remember talking to guys who said Frazier & Duran didn't have good jabs. I said, you really watch & you'll see both Joe & Roberto had excellent jabs. They couldn't reel off 12 in a row like Ali or SRL but they threw mean single jabs. To me, a boxer without a jab is going into that lion cage helpless & smelling of mince. Am I wrong Bread?

Bread’s Response: The jab is the most important punch in boxing because it’s the most DIRECT punch in boxing. It’s underused and under appreciated. It’s also under noticed. There are some fighters with good jabs that don’t get credit for them because they have other qualities. 

You’re wrong about both Marciano and Tyson. Marciano had a low crouching jab that he used to back opponents up. And Tyson had one of the best jabs ever that a shorter fighter threw. Watch them close. Most great fighters have at least competent jabs.

What’s good Big Dog, love your work and your grind. Keep it going. I’m going to touch on a very subject that very obvious but never talked about. Top Black fighters not fighting other top black fighters. I’m not talking about past era’s, I’m talking about the here and now.  When is the last time we had an amazing matchup up where the whole boxing world was a buzz for a fight between two black fighters. Spence-Porter doesn’t count because that fight didn’t move the needle. We have tons of possibilities of great match between top black fighters at 135-140, which will prolly not get made until one fighter starts to show some flaws at which then a fight will be made.  Crawford-Spence, idk will it get made?  Maybe after the expiration date is past. Andrade-Charlo, yea so that fight will never happen. Fact is top black fighters are never fight other top black fighters. And it’s a shame as it adversely effects there star power in their communities. Imagine how hyped the hood and the communities would be if this was the thing. Their star power would be crazy. Why do you think this is?

Peace bro

Boss Dog

Bread’s Response: I think you have a point. I can remember when Julian Williams was coming up and we asked for the Jermall Charlo fight people were whispering we were going against the CODE. I didn’t get that and still don't. We were the #1 contenders to his belt. Were we not supposed to fight him because he was black also? Most of the biggest fights in boxing history were between black fighters. Now very seldom do you see fights between two elite black fighters. I have definitely noticed it. 

Recently there have been some nice hard core fights between black fighters but the last time, one really moved the needle was maybe Mayweather vs Mosley. I think that boxing has been using a customary blue print. Black vs Latino. Everyone loves to tap into the Latino market. So therefore those are the BIG match ups that take precedence. 

I was really surprised that Canelo vs Charlo wasn’t made because not only is Charlo black but he’s from a State(Texas) with a huge Mexican population. So that match up fit the current blueprint.

I can’t tell you why Black vs Black super fights haven’t been made. Because they do sell. You just have to look at the selling points. You promote them by REGION. Everyone loves to rep where they are from. For example, when Roy Jones vs James Toney was being promoted. It had a South vs North feel to the fight. When Leonard vs Hearns was promoted. It had a Chocolate City vs The D look. 

And after the region aspect is explored then you go towards who they represent. This can be tricky but it works. When Leonard fought Hagler. It was Pretty Boy vs Blue Collar common man. Same with Ali vs Frazier but with a civil rights twist. Unfortunately for Frazier he was stuck in the middle of that but that’s a story for another day. 

As I write another reason why Black vs Black super fights aren’t made is……no one will admit it. But the brain trust don’t usually want to give up PERCEIVED physical or stylistic advantages. While fighters of other races don’t view it that way for the most part. One first things off the record that the people who know will talk about, is…..how many black guys did John Doe fight? Ask any matchmaker you know off the record. 

I will go back in history. Look at fighters like Jake Lamotta and Harry Greb. They are more respected than some of their contemporaries because they didn’t draw the color line. This goes DEEP. I’ve actually been waiting for someone to ask me this question. I never understood why Roy Jones got so much criticism. Roy Jones’s biggest competition came against black fighters. Toney, Hopkins, Tarver, Johnson were all black. If I’m not mistaken Virgil Hill has some black heritage but I could be wrong. This is definitely a thing in boxing but it doesn’t get talked about often. 

Hi Bread,

I know everyone is going to be writing in about the same thing, but you, as someone familiar with the bts process of how fights get made, what is your take on Crawford’s viral Instagram live video? After watching the full video, I have to agree with Bob Arum, the fight with Spence will never get made unless Crawford is signed with a promoter. While I believe deeply in fighter empowerment, and that fighters should “be their own boss” as much as possible, proper representation exists for a reason! As a businessman, you have to be humble enough to “know what you don’t know”, and put experts who you trust in position to win for you when you aren’t able to win for yourself. Terence Crawford the p4p star boxer was never going to win a head to head negotiation with Harvard MBA Al Haymon. Going into the fight there were two irrefutable items: because Crawford burned the bridge with Top Rank/ESPN, the fight would take place on a PBC platform (FOX or Showtime), and Al would be involved, handling the negotiations for the Spence side. These are the two things Crawford would have zero control over! Crawford then proceeds to go behind Al’s back, and calls Spence directly with a “50 million hedge fund offer” to fight on who knows what network? He violated the number one rule of negotiating: Negotiate in good faith. How is trying to cut your opponents advisor and promoter out of the fight negotiating in good faith? Talk about burning bridges!

Lastly, Crawford’s numbers don’t make logical sense. Let’s do an experiment with just gross revenue: Assume the fight costs $80, and it does 1 million PPV buys (I’m assuming the best case scenario). After handing the cable companies their 50% cut, you’d be left with $40 million dollars. Yet, we are supposed to believe that a hedge fund who’s job it is to guarantee their investors a certain percentage annual return was going to guarantee both fighters $25 million each? Without a major network involved? As an investment it makes no sense! Spence Vs Crawford in the ring is a 50-50 fight! Bud Vs Haymon at the Negotiation table is just foolish and unnecessary! Bud’s great gift in the ring is that when he reaches the limits of his knowledge, he thinks outside of the box and pulls a rabbit out of a hat. I believe he tried to apply the same tactics to the negotiating table and he outsmarted himself. Sometimes you need a professional in the room to save you from yourself!

Best, Alex

Bread’s Response: Ok….I don’t like the term “My Truth” because the truth only comes one way and there is no such thing. But people can have different perspectives. I think Terence wanted to tell his SIDE of the story. I don’t believe he was LYING, he was just telling it from his perspective. I think he was being candid and forthright. The issue isn’t who’s lying or telling the truth like some say. The issue is HOW both sides want to get the fight done. Because Team Spence and the PBC has a history of some of the biggest fights ever. They have their SYSTEM and FORMAT that has proven to WORK. Spence is the A side. They don’t seem to be willing to STRAY from that for Terence Crawford. Crawford will have to conform to them. They aren’t going to conform to him when they have the A side fighter. 

I do believe that someone offered to pay both fighters 25 million. It happens all the time in boxing. I’ve had people approach me about various things. But most times they don’t know what they are doing or the money isn’t real. Boxing has BROKEN more investors than the turn of the century stock market. But all money is not good money. It takes more than money to run a Super Fight promotion. It takes knowledge and experience. 

Also no offense to anyone. But there are red flags that pop up when you hear certain things. Errol and Terence are great fighters. But 25 million apiece is a big stretch. Unless the investor has a way to generate some extra revenue, he would take a big hit/loss on that fight. So therefore, I would assume they weren’t taken very serious. I think Spence vs Crawford does well. Very well. But not well enough to pay the fighters 50 Million Dollars! 

I'm also getting tired like the term “My Own Boss”. This term gets used to insult the other half of the negotiations.  Technically we are all own bosses in some way or the other. With Free Will we can choose how we want to earn a living. But at the end of the day, we all answer to someone. If someone is paying you, you have an obligation to them in one way or the other. For example whoever is paying Spence and Crawford, they have to answer to them and perform a servic. They aren’t paying them because they’re handsome. They’re paying them to FIGHT. 

So I keep hearing this term get used in boxing. Not just with Spence and Crawford. But in general. But it’s asinine and not necessary. We ALL answer to someone in some capacity. Even if it’s indirect. When you’re paid for your services, and your pay is contingent upon that service. Then you have to provide that service or else you will have to answer or not get paid. Entertainers have to answer to the PUBLIC that supports them and their events. Boxers are entertainers…Let’s see what happens. 

I don’t have a side in this. I don’t have a horse in the race. People are picking sides in these negotiations because they like Errol or Terence and they’re making up stories to support their subjective preference. Let’s see if they fight.

Breadman, May you guys get back on track and back to your winning ways. I never told you that I was happy that J-Rock found his way back to you. What was done to you in the past you didn't deserve. I'm confident he learned while trying to navigate through different people, that there was nobody as real, honest and loyal to him as you were. Stand up my guy!!I'll always for you even though we may never meet. You're someone I look up to and am glad that you share your boxing knowledge to the masses. Many don't deserve it as they speak with emotion or without facts. God bless you and the team this weekend!

Richard Keymolen

Bread’s Response: Thank you. You know in boxing, I don’t like to use the term DESERVE. The better term is EARNED. I earned my status and over time you get what you EARN. It may not look like it at first. But as the quote goes, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Things have a way of working itself out, if you just stay on the course. 

Sup Bread,

I am excited for what should be the most competitive big fight left on the calendar -Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez. I am all in on my guy Zurdo but I wanted to know how you see the fight going? Is Bivol going to dominate or is Zurdo live? I also wanted to hear your take on Joe Frazier. He’s a Philly fighter so I know you have love for him but I feel like he gets under rated because people remember him for his losses to Ali and Foreman. I compare him to Michael Spinks, he was a great light heavyweight but everyone just remembers his loss to Tyson. Joe Frazier only lost to a peak foreman and Ali …those are the only two men to defeat him during a loaded era. I can’t think of a fighter who was as good yet never gets mentioned as a top 10 all time. What are your thoughts and what would Frazier do in this era?

Speaking of George Foreman, when I look at his fights in the 70’s and how intimidating he was it makes me wonder who in your mind are the most intimidating fighters in history off the top of your head? The look on Foreman‘s face in his first career and Mike Tyson’s stare down are the top 2 in my humble opinion. Thomas  Hearns had that look too and Muhammad Ali intimidated in a different way but who else can you think of that won the mental battle by inducing fear or a psyche job that I might be missing? Finally, as a trainer do you get consulted on what match your fighter should take next or is that strictly done by the fighter and promoter? For example, how much influence would you have over Kyrone Davis’s next choice of opponent or Caleb Plant?

Take Care,

Aaron from Cleveland

Bread’s Response: I think Zurdo will give a great account of himself. I’m not out right picking him. But I would bet on him if the odds were over +350. Zurdo is crafty and this is his Super Bowl. While I believe Bivol’s Superbowl was vs Canelo and it’s possible for a letdown performance. I also feel like Canelo made Bivol look better than he’s looked in 5 years. Let’s see what happens.

Watch any video of Joe Frazier from 1967-71. His prime ended in the 1st Ali matchup. He was a terrific fighter. An All Time Great fighter, who hovers in the top 10 ever at heavyweight. Frazier was the 3rd best heavyweight of his era. But he was in the best era ever of the division. The problem for him was not just that he lost to Ali and Foreman. But he’s observed after his prime. Watch Frazier vs Bob Foster, Jimmy Ellis and Buster Mathis. He was a MACHINE! 

A trainer may not be labeled a manager or advisor. But they play many roles to different degrees especially if they’re experienced. I have more control over who Kyrone Davis fights than I do Caleb Plant. But both value my opinion and have asked me for it. I started Kyrone out from when he was 19 years old. When I started with Caleb he had his team around him and he was 30. So it's just different.

What's up breadman, hope you're doing well.

Kenshiro Teraji-Hiroto Kyoguchi was another great display of an effective jab after the Loma vs Ortiz fight. When I see the jab of a Holmes or a GGG, it looks a bit different than how Ali used it. Can you tell us if there are different ways and stances with which the jab is used. Also who are the greatest fighters that had a rudimentary or non-existent jab game. Secondly, please rank the toughest divisions in boxing history, not on the basis of the HOFs or star names, but those where it has been the most difficult to establish the division GOAT or where there is very little difference between the division's all time Top 5.

Thanks for enriching us with knowledge.

Bread’s Response: They are some many types of jabs just like there are many types of punchers. Larry Holmes had a PUMPING jab. It was a like a PUMP. GGG has a RAM ROD job. He rams it at you. Ali’s jab was a spinning ,whip, flick jab. Ali’s jab was something. Ali outjabbed more great jabbers than anyone I’ve seen. He outjabbed Liston, Foster and Foreman. 3 of the top 10 jabbers in history.

Roberto Duran basically used a bait jab that rarely landed. If you watch Duran he barely landed his jab. But he wanted his opponents to jab or try to counter his bait so he could counter. I would say Duran in terms of who actually landed or tried to land their jabs.

I think Middleweight is the division! Harry Greb has started to get as much recognition as the best ever at middleweight as Sugar Ray Robinson. Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler are both ruthless head to head and had great consistency. Bernard Hopkins has the record for title defenses and is best since them. Hopkins also had the most success out of each for the exception of Greb over 160, which plays a part in how you evaluate head to head match ups.

Send Questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com