By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards
The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards answering questions on Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Dannny Garcia, Mayweather vs. Gennady Golovkin, Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan, and much more.
What's up?
You and I have talked about quickness and speed on several occasions. Speed is the physical attribute of rapid movement, while quickness is the mental ability to perceive and then respond to a stimuli rapidly. A perfect example of that was mayweather/berto. Quickness is in the mind, speed is in the body.
Against Canelo Khan's speed will hurt him, he'll outspeed his ability to transition from offense to defense and Canelo will counter him with big shots. Khan is still a bit immature in his fighting.
Canelo learned plenty from his 12 rounds against Mayweather, and has implemented a least a few of Mayweather's moves into his style.
If Floyd is just looking to get his 50th fight in the books then Garcia is the perfect guy. If Floyd's looking for a BIG event then he needs to look elsewhere.
Abel Sanchez is right to believe that Floyd wants to fight GGG when Floyd speaks of his fighter. But the odds are low even though GGG would provide Floyd with a $100M+ payday.
The 147lb division will work itself out, eventually Garcia, Thurman, Spence and Kell Brook will get it on! Hey those names will make for a good 4 man tournament! Not counting Porter out, I just believe Thurman does what Brook does better.
One more thing, a fighter never becomes a star beating old war horses, or up and comers. A fighter becomes a star by BEATING a star.
Bread’s Response: Yes Rob we have. You are the only person who has ever written in that knew the difference within an explanation. I just had a small debate with a young trainer a few weeks ago. When I told him how quick Bernard Hopkins is. He’s like, no he’s slow. I said I didn’t say he was fast, I said he was quick. Then I went on to explain but I don’t think he got where I was coming from. He gave me that whatever look. Oh well I tried….
Yes Andre Berto is very fast but he’s not quick. He processes things way too slow. Floyd Mayweather is not only fast but he’s ultra quick. Mayweather would be able to beat Berto at 50 years old because the mind last longer than the body.
Amir Khan has unharnessed speed. For this fight I hope he understands the difference between speed and quickness. I know his trainer Virgil Hunter does. Fighters with unharnessed speed are usually the victims of brutal kos. Khan, Ed Hopson and Jean Pascal come to mind. I actually think Khan has a better shot than most do but Canelo’s counterpunching in that Cotto fight showed me something.
Canelo is SERIOUS. That was a masterful counter punching performance against Cotto. In my opinion Cotto is a better fighter than Khan. I think Khan is easier to time because he doesn’t close his punches off like Cotto does and Cotto’s feet are better. I think Khan will do ok for a while but as the fight wears on I think Canelo’s ability to process his movements will surprise him.
Canelo is extremely talented. He can roll his head with shots. I have only seen 3 fighters who can do that. Roberto Duran, Michael Carbajal and Canelo.
He can also counter to the body just as good as he counters to the head. That’s rare. Last but not least he counters with his right hand just the same as he counters with his left. He’s one of the top 5 counterpunchers in boxing today. Khan loves to lead and initiate. It’s just his way of getting off. He’s almost going to have to make this fight boring and minimize everything in order to win. He has a tough fight ahead of him. He’s faster and slightly longer. Head to head the height looks like a wash. But Canelo is the better natural defender, puncher, counter puncher and he’s a lot quicker. Every great counter puncher has mind quickness. The attributes go hand in hand. That’s why Khan is an initiator. I think it will be entertaining and that’s good for the fans but not good for Khan.
For some reason no one respects Danny Garcia. He’s undefeated, good looking, a 2 division champion. He’s from fighting city and he’s marketable but you’re right. No one would give the slightest chance to beat Floyd. It’s one of the most bizarre things I have witnessed in boxing. I happen to be a big fan of Danny’s. He’s an overachiever, with a clutch gene and plenty of heart.
I don’t believe we will see Floyd vs GGG. GGG is just too big in my opinion. It would be a huge fight. It would also be the 2nd time Floyd is the underdog in his 20 year career. I believe Corrales was a 6 to 5 favorite over him. Many people would not only pick GGG to win but they would pick him to ko Floyd. It’s the ultimate challenge. But again I don’t believe we will see it. Not even at 154lbs. After seeing the success Maidana had vs Floyd I can’t see his brain trust messing around with GGG who is already a top 20 all time middleweight. If Floyd takes that fight many historians who give him crap will have to eat crow. We shall see…
Welterweight is heating up big time. But these guys have to rumble within the next 18 months or we will lose the players though attrition. Injuries, losses and moving up in weight. Just like we did in the crop from 2006-10. The best fighter to come out of that bunch will go to the Hall of Fame. Especially if you throw in Tim Bradley, Manny Pacquiao, Jesse Vargas and the young Russian they call the Mean Machine.
The one thing we disagree on is Thurman does what Brook does better. I don’t see that. Brook knows how to NOT get carried fast while still boxing. Thruman OVER moves and allows you to make him burn energy. He’s came back down to earth over his 4 or 5 fights. None of his perfromances have been lights out because each one has gone into the later rounds and he’s been forced to move too much.
I think Thurman is well conditioned but when you expend the energy he expends I think your prime is cut short. Thurman reminds me of Acelino Freitas. Freitas was a skittish mover with a huge punch. But when guys started absorbing his punch he started doing the distance, struggling and getting stopped. I’m not saying Thurman will have the same fate but I stark similarities in their styles.
Brook is a controlling fighter who moves efficiently. Thurman does not infight and he fights off of the bounce. Brrok fights off of the step and while infighting is not his thing he doesn’t panic when you get close. His performance vs Shawn Porter gets more impressive everytime I watch it. If Thurman does not catch Porter jumping in which he very can, he’s going to get carried too fast. While Brook was able to beat Porter on boxing ability without having to catch him with a Sunday punch to hurt him.
What a good weekend of fights. Lara sparked Montiel as you like to say. He’s a new player at featherweight. David Benavides looks like a wrecking machine. Short, brutal quick punches. Thomas Williams shocked me. I thought he would lose. His chin is just so bad. But he came through. Andre Berto is still Andre Berto. Fun but limited. Berto is the most protected fighter I have seen in a long time. Do you think Ortiz quit again? I know you’re from Philly but what the hell was Eddie Chambers doing. Even Danny Garcia seemed a little aggravated that Chambers wasn’t doing anything. And what was all the talking to the crowd for. Chambers is a bum! He will never get back on TV with that performance. Bread call it how you see it and don’t take up for him. Washington is a physical specimen but he doesn’t have a fighter’s temperament. That fight screwed up the whole show. Did Degale really beat Medina. Man that was close. Degale seemed to suggest that Medina was on “something” with his comments. Jack got jobbed but what’s with Bute’s late career surge. He’s actually looking better than he did 3 years ago.
Bread’s Response: I see you’re a boxing head like myself. So let’s go fight by fight.
Lara is definitely a new player at 126. That’s how you push an older fighter over the edge. Good job.
David Benavides is nasty on the inside. Who says you have to be short to be an inside fighter. Benavides is 19 and he took on a 28 year puncher and wrecked him. I was super impressed with him.
Nobody I knew was picking Thomas Williams. But that kid showed me something. I told everyone who would listen that Edwin Rodriguez was wild and technically counterproductive. I read on Twitter where Williams wrote that short, compact , straight punches will beat wild ones. I knew he was onto something. Great job Top Dog! He’s a big time player at 175 and it erases that Campillo fight. He may need another fight before Adonis Stevenson but Williams believes in himself, so…
I have to give Berto credit. While I’m watching the fight I’m saying to myself Ortiz just has his number. I thought Ortiz won the 1st three rounds. He was landing a very good jab to Berto’s body and Berto always looks so nervous and unsteady to me. But the kid has moxy. He got himself together and he sparked Ortiz. Yes Ortiz quit again. But what those fans did to him was unacceptable. They should have been arrested.
I expected exactly what happened in the Washington vs Chambers fight. Chambers is a small heavyweight but he’s not like Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield. He’s not an attacker. So if you put him in with a kid like Washington who doesn’t engage and too long to reach you will have that type of fight.
I’m not so sure that Degale beat Medina. I wasn’t scoring the fight but it was razor close. I love Degale’s cocky attitude. Most of the better UK fighters are just oozing with confidence. But Medina fought his ass off. He’s super improved. I did hear what Degale suggested about Medina….
Badou Jack beat Lucien Bute. I hate bad decisions. No fighter wants a draw on his record when he really won. Jack deserved to win. But yes Bute has really good lately. Geez I thought he was done after the Pascal fight.
I’m hearing all types of rumors that Danny Garcia will be fighting Floyd Mayweather. But Broner is talking like he’s in the Garcia sweepstakes. Then you have Danny himself commentating the Berto vs Ortiz fight and also saying he’s willing to go over to the UK for Kell Brook. Who does he have the best chance to beat and who do you think will be next?
Bread’s Response: Boxing is something else. Everybody wants to fight my man Danny Garcia. I’ve never seen anything like it. Poor Errol Spence couldn’t get these many fights if he fought for free..
I’ve been hearing all of the rumors too but it’s not as simple as you make it sound. I think a lot has to do with what happens this weekend. If Khan upsets Canelo, I think you can pencil him in with Floyd. So that would be a domino effect. Floyd is still the shot caller in that regard because Danny sort of has to wait.
Unfortunately for hardcore fans count Kell Brook out. Danny is not going to go to the UK to fight the most dangerous fighter on your list when he can stay in the US and make big money in easier fights. So if Floyd does not fight Danny, I expect him to fight Berto. Broner is still dangerous and his corner put together the Lamont Peterson gameplan that gave Danny trouble. But that’s just my guess. Let’s see what happens this weekend.
Super Welterweight has a huge triple header coming up. Lara vs Martirosyan, Charlo vs Trout and Charlo vs Jackson. Who do you have winning and do you think anyone can unify the division? And where does Jrock and Demetrius Andrade fit in with the winners.
Bread’s Response: Yes 154 does not have the star power that 147 has but I think the fighters are better.
I think Lara and Martirosyan is a close fight. But Lara seems to know what he wants to do and Martirosyan who is very talented is always caught between styles. When I see Martirosyan fight it seems as if he’s fighting with no plan. He could have defeated Jermell Charlo. Charlo was frustrated and tepid vs Martirosyan. Martirosyan dropped Andrade then stopped throwing punches. He also got off to a good start vs Lara in their first fight but then seemed to lose momentum. I don’t know what it is but this always seems to happen to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if beat Lara but I can’t pick him because in a competitive fight the fighter who has better mental bearings has the advantages.
So let’s say Lara by decision. Not a dominant decision but a clear and competitive one.
Jermall Charlo should beat Austin Trout. I think he’s a little to big and heavy handed for Trout. If Trout was quicker on his feet to offset the size he could upset Charlo but Trout is not tha quick in my opinion. I do like Trout’s gameplan though. He said in an interview that Charlo likes to dictate the pace. He’s right. Charlo is never out of his comfort zone. He’s always fighting shorter, less talented guys who aren’t quick enough or durable enough to push him. I think Trout can push him but I don’t know if his chin will hold up. I think this will be a good fight but Charlo by late stoppage or clear decision after he drops him a couple of times.
Jermell Charlo has a tough fight vs John Jackson. Jermell is a natural boxer but in this fight he’s giving up length. Jackson’s arms hang down to his knees. He’s also fights a skittish fight off of his back foot. Jermell does not like to walk fighters down. The problem for Jermell is Jackson can really punch. So you have a fighter who does not like to engage being forced to engage against a puncher. I think this could be a boring fight because both guys seem to fight over cautious. This is really a pick em fight but I will lean to Charlo because he is the A side. So let’s say Charlo by decision.
Yes The division can be unified but it depends on who wins the titles. But in all honesty it’s highly unlikely. Too many friendships, political reasons and fighters not wanting to badly enough. We shall see.
Julian Williams and Demetrius Andrade in my opinion fit in just fine. They are the two best fighters in the division with Liam Smith being the sleeper and Erickson Lubin being the guy to watch next year. Both Williams and Andrade are looking to get title shots but there is a lot of room between now and then.
Whats going on bread? Hope all is well.I do have a few questions, 1 as a trainer how is the top guy in your stable of fighters determined? Is it determined by Who has been with him the longest, the best fighter, the biggest money maker or the fighter he may be closet with? Also how do you feel about bhops statements to triple ggg, telling him to go fight kovalev when canelo wont fight him? Speaking of if kovalev and ggg did fight at say a catchweight who do you think wins? There also seems to be alot of young up and coming fighters at 154 and with big fight and mandys coming up how do you feel about a 8 man tournament including terrel gausha, tony harrison, jarrod hurd, dominique dolton, javier molina, erickson lubin, wilky campfort, and chris pearson? Who do you think would win the tournament and once the tournament is over will they be ready for a jrock, charlo, andrade or trout? Lastly what did you think of the dirrell brothers performances as well as jack, bute, medina and degale? keep up the good work
Bread’s Response: The top guy in your stable is determined by all of the things you mentioned. It depends on where the trainer’s priorities are. For me it’s who I have been with the longest and who has a fight coming up. I don’t like using the word TOP Guy. It’s an insult to everyone else in your stable.
Bhop can talk because he jumped up and fought Tarver without stopping at 175. That’s all I can say about that. I don’t think GGG will take the bait. He’s a 5’10 middleweight I can’t see him going to 175.
I don’t know who win between GGG and Krusher. It would depend on how low Krusher can go without hurting himself. My gut tells me GGG take a better punch and is more sturdy under pressure. But I doubt if we see that fight.
It would depend on the seeding for the tournament. The most talented kid in the tournament is Lubin but that doesn’t mean he will win it. Gausha seems to know how to get the job done but I have to see him vs better competition. Harrison, Pearson and Hurd round out the class of the 8 men. It’s hard to determine but the winner would be a serious player. I would favor Harrison, Gausha or Lubin to win.
Anthony Direll looked good. He smashed Caleb Truax. Andre did ok but he seems to be losing his punch resistance. He’s been getting visibly hurt lately. Caparello is not a big puncher. Andre needs a title shot asap, he has to be 32 or 33 at this point.
What's going on Bread,
Who do you favor in the Tapia vs. Lemieux fight, and how do you see the fight going down?
Best wishes,
Kelvin
Bread’s Response: I like Lemiuex by brutal early stoppage. Tapia is very stiff, his defense is squared up and his punch resistance seems compromised. This is a tough fight for him.
Hi Mr Stephens,
I've been a fan of boxing since Gomez-Pintor. Two fighters I really liked were Toney and Holyfield.
I know that Toney stopped Holyfield when both were perhaps past their peak but I've always believed that a peak Holyfield would have stopped that version of Toney but the slower, mauling older version of Holyfield played to Toney's strengths. Do you agree with this assessment or do you think it's sentimentality/wishful thinking?
Thanks.
Regards
Dave
Bread’s Response: I don’t know if a peak Holyfield would have stopped Toney but I think he would have beaten him. I love Toney but peak Holy would just outwork him. If you look at Holyfield circa 86-93 it would be hard for me to imagine a man smaller than him keeping him off of him enough to outpoint him. He’s rates really high in my opinion as far as p4p head to head match ups.
Send Question to dabreadman25@hotmail.com
