By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards
The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards discussing last Saturday's fight between Errol Spence and Kell Brook, Spence vs. Danny Garcia, Spence vs. Keith Thurman, Gary Russell Jr., David Benavidez, and more.
Is Kell Brook a quitter. Did his team ruin his moxy by calling the fight vs GGG. I remember you saying that was an early stoppage. I didn’t agree at the time but now you look back and Brook gets in trouble and he’s looking at his corner to stop the fight again. I think he’s done.
Bread’s Response: I caught a lot of heat about the GGG stoppage so I just left it alone. A fighter’s health is paramount in boxing and it’s just a slippery slope to go down. I didn’t think Brook’s corner was wrong for stopping the fight because their fighter had a broken eye orbital, because that warrants a stoppage. What was bizarre to me was is they didn’t know the orbital was broke until after the fight. No one seemed to get my point. They stopped an even fight in the 5th round of a legacy defining fight. Their fighter was undefeated and GGG was winded….
So now Brook is doing well again early, Spence comes on and Brook starts looking at his corner and pawing at his eye. Subconsciously he was almost asking his team to stop it again. But they weren’t as fast to do so because this wasn’t a middleweight he was fighting. This fight wasn’t as excusable to lose.
I really respect Brook. He will fight anyone….I won’t call him a straight quitter. But resigning in two fights in a row when things started going against you is not good. Because when Brook was landing well and winning rounds in both fights the fights weren’t stopped. The injuries only became an issue when he started losing rounds. I hope he’s ok and I wish Brook the best. He’s a really good fighter.
I picked Brook but I don’t want to sound like a Homer. Spence looked naturally good under VADA and not super human good like he has in the past. What do you attribute to his performance? His level of competition going up or the testing?
Bread’s Response: First off I want to congratulate Errol Spence. That was a huge win! As for the VADA testing all fights involving top 10 fighters should be VADA tested. I don’t want to nitpick Spence having some tough spots because of VADA because Brook is a really good fighter. Let’s see how their careers play out and more importantly let’s also see if they both continue to do VADA.
Also you have to realize Spence probably skipped two developmental fights in order to get to Brook. He was off over 9 months going into the fight. And he didn’t get the tough fight vs another undefeated prospect or the hardnosed vet that doesn’t want to be stopped before Brook. So maybe he had to get his feet wet in the earlier rounds before he started cooking.
Breadman, how you doing?
Please tell me, if we just witnessed a B- performance as Spence suggested his self grading during his post interview after his victory over Kell Brook, who in the Universe has a chance @ 147 vs Spence? Can you imagine a Bt or A- performance? Who stands a chance? I hope we see Spence one more time this year as I'm anticipating at least one tune up bout for Thurman after his recovery. In my opinion, Thurman not even close to the same skill level as Spence and will avoid a unification with him for a very long time.
Getting to see Crawford and Spence in back to back weeks, in my opinion has just put many within these weight classes on early retirement consideration. Refreshing to see these 2 take on all challenges as well!!
Thank you!
Curtis/Cincy
Bread’s Response: Spence got the job done with determination and conditioning. He wasn’t lights out in terms of sharpness and skill. But maybe it was Brook who did things to keep Spence from being so sharp. Brook is a strong guy and kept rolling Spence’s head and not letting him just dig in with his trademark body shots.
I don’t agree with you about Thurman not being on Spence’s skill level. What makes you say that? I think Spence is the real deal but Thurman is not over his head against Spence. They have to fight in order for us to say that. Spence is among the top fighters at 147. But who he has to beat Thurman, Danny Garcia and Manny Pacquiao in the ring.
Thurman has faster feet and hands than Spence. He also has better reflexes. Spence is bigger, stronger and his body work will count. I view that as a 50/50 fight. Pacquiao is older but his experience level is light years in front of Spence. Pacquiao is a lot quicker and Spence’s shell up defense plays into Manny’s hands because their difference in hand speed is noticeable. I view that as 55/45 in Spence’s favor. Danny Garcia is extremely strong and he has a great chin. He likes when fighters come to him because of his uncanny timing. I don’t know if Errol Spence can just walk Danny down and beat him up. I view that fight as 55/45 also. Spence could be the best fighter in the division but let’s see how things play out before we anoint him.
Breadman
Gary Russell looked sharp on Saturday. Would like to see him vs Santa Cruz Frampton or Abner Mares. Who would you pick in each fight. Also he has talked about moving up-I don't know if that's due to difficulty making weight or chasing challenges but I think the most lucrative and fan friendly fights are at featherweight and his seemingly short arms will hamper him at 130. The one fight that he should consider moving up for is a fight with Gervonta Tank Davis in the verizon center that would feature fighters from D.C. Baltimore and Philly. Showtime etc could co feature Lamont Peterson and or Jarret Hurd. Anyway I think he should fight tank now or never as tank will only get better with more experience and his punching power and arm length will be challenging.
Speaking of tank what did you think of him missing weight.
I think he has a big upside in that Floyd is sharing his secrets with him. He used to throw all power punches but versus Walsh he was using that stab jab to the pit of the stomach and seem to be working in a more relaxed manner and choosing when to load up. Did you see growth this performance and do you see upside.
Billy Bomaye
Bread’s Response: Russell looked really good defending his title. I would like to see him come back quickly because he can be sharper. Russell is a special talent. I think Russell would beat Mares and Frampton and he and Santa Cruz would have to fight 3 times to decide who is best.
Russell vs Davis in the DMV area would be huge. I’m all for it. Great fight.
Gervonta Davis has improved drastically. He used to just rely on power shots but in his last fight he “boxed” his way to a ko. The sky is the limit for Davis. The only problem I see for Davis is his thick muscles causing him to move up. With his body type 135 and certain fights at 140 will most likely be his max weight. I hope he can make 130 for the next 3 or 4 years so he can build a legacy their and not outgrow his prime weight. Davis is a terrific fighter.
I know there was a lot going on last weekend, but what about the way David Benavidez annihilated Porky Medina? Is this kid the best prospect in boxing or what? He must be the most skilled fighter at 20 for a long time...
How do you rate his performance? I haven't seen combos this sick (7-8 punches!) probably since young Pac. I must say I'm impressed, Medina is no pushover. He gave Uzcategui hell and was tough as nails against DeGale, yet Benavidez made it look so easy... How should they build this kid? What's the perfect next fight him and how would he look against 168 elite?
Bread’s Response: I am a big fan of Benavidez. He is amongst the best prospects in boxing. Not sure if he’s the best though, time will tell.
I rate his performance an A. He did his thing with calmness and precision of a hit man.
I think he is among the elite right now at 168. There aren’t 10 super middleweights better than him. I would like to see him handle a mover though. I would also like to see him fight a tough young fighter who doesn’t know how to lose. So let’s say a Dyah Davis as the mover and Caleb Plant in his young gun fight. If he gets by both of them then a big title shot.
Great call on Brook vs Spence. It went exactly how you said on Twitter. Brook is winning early and Spence comes on late. Spence wasn’t his lights out usual self but he got the job done. Why do you think he struggled early. Also where does Brook go from here. Oh and one more question how does Spence vs your boy DSG go?
Bread’s Response: Spence was fighting an excellent fighter. Maybe that’s why he didn’t look the same. That wasn’t Leonard Bundu in there bro. I also think Errol got hurt twice but he knows how to mask it. Errol is a real fighter and he has real confidence. So he took his time and got himself together. I was impressed with his resolve.
I thought he would struggle early because the sharper outside fighter usually wins the earlier rounds and then the steadier stronger guy comes on after he’s warmed up. This fight was no different.
Spence vs Danny Garcia is a serious fight. Garcia has underrated physical strength. Stylistically Spence comes into Danny’s wheel house. Also Danny is not short a fighter. Many will assume that Errol is a lot taller and bigger than Danny. But I think Danny is almost as tall and strong enough. Danny doesn’t look tall because of his body structure but head to head he’s never dwarfed. I think it’s a great action fight.
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