The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards tackling topics such as Teofimo Lopez's big win over Josh Taylor, the welterweight unification between Errol Spence and Terence Crawford, and more.

Breadman just curious what did you see or hear about Taylor that made your analyses so spot on. Do you Taylor would have beaten Lopez a couple of years ago?

Paul Olivier

Bread’s Response: Timing and styles are important in determining the winner of fights. I felt like Teofimo is a natural counter puncher. It’s not that he can’t press. But he likes that bladed shoulder roll stance as his natural stance and it’s hard to press in that stance because you can’t really move laterally in terms of cutting the ring off. So Teo likes when guys try to come to him. So style wise the fight favored Teo. 

Sun Tzu talks about winning with EASE. I’m a huge Josh Taylor fan. I’ve been saying he was a P4P guy for years now. But Josh doesn’t win with ease. He’s fighting to the BURGER to get his wins vs elite competition. It’s nothing wrong with that because he earned the wins over Prograis and Ramirez but they were HARD, HARD FIGHTS. 

Taylor also looks to me like a fighter who struggles with weight. I know what he says but my eyes tell me he stayed at 140lbs too long. And when BIG fighters stay at the weight too long they become BIG targets. So in Lopez, Taylor was facing a faster, more talented and twitchy fighter. 

Taylor is very skilled, he’s clever, he has good IQ and he’s a complete fighter. But he’s not a super talent or athlete. His talent is about a 7 and athleticism roughly the same. Teo among the 5 or 6 most talented fighters in the sport. There is a difference. A BIG difference. 

So next I saw that Taylor left Ben Davidson and Lee Wylie. Davidson is excellent. And Wylie may be the best in the game at breaking down film. So at one point I did favor Taylor. But taking all of these things into consideration I said to myself Taylor is up against it. 

The question was why has Teofimo been looking off. We all wondered about him mentally. Which was valid but I wondered about Taylor mentally also. He’s been inactive since the Catterrall fight and even a Taylor fan see he clearly lost that fight. So my instincts told me that Teofimo would rise to the occasion and I just picked him. Sometimes I’m right, sometimes I’m wrong. This time I was right. I thought Taylor would be a step too slow, with Teo being able to have an added 5lbs of carbs and muscle would be too quick.

Yo bread. Two short questions. 1. If you were Haney’s coach could you see a world where you would advise him to take the loma rematch before doing anything else. 2. Would you be shocked if in the Crawford – spence fight, one of em gets painfully dominated in a 12 round fight.

Grz, Alabama man.

Bread’s Response: I don’t know because Devin seems to have issues making 135lbs. Staying at a weight too long, effects you even after you move up. Testosterone, Central Nervous System, White Blood Cell count. There are so many issues when it comes to staying at a weight too long.

Bill Haney, Devin’s dad seems to have the instincts to make the right moves at the right times. So personally I can’t say what I would tell Devin to do because I don’t know how bad the struggle is to make weight but it seems like a big issue. 

Yes I would be surprised if Crawford or Spence dominated the other. Both are too well rounded and determined to get dominated by the other in my opinion.

Bread,

Bruh I gotta keep it 100 with you. I've been following you and G. Leon since when you were at Boxingtalk. On the real, I bet on fights based on your predictions and I was leaning towards Taylor in this one. You not only have the boxing knowledge and IQ from the trainer's perspective, but you have this canny way of being able to get into the mindset of the boxer. Your prediction on Lopez Taylor was simply amazing brother.

We appreciate you. 

Bread’s Response: Thank you but I’m not a genius. I’m just a guy with a good memory and when I see something that I saw before I know and remember how to apply it. I’ve seen fighters like Taylor before who aren’t great athletes and they stay at their weights too long, go up against Teo level guys and they lose.

Pacquiao vs Morales comes to mind. Morales is supremely skilled but he’s not the athlete that Pac is. Morales notoriously struggled to make weight. So even though he beat Pac once. Having to keep facing a talent like that is draining. It wears out the nervous system to have to be ON POINT like that all night. 

Hi Breadman, thanks for all your insight! However, just want to get this in early. Read your Taylor, Lopez insight. Couldn't disagree more. Taylor's lightyears ahead of Lopez. Factor in his discipline and overcoming numerous styles! He's our best fighter since Froch in the UK in regards to murderers row! Lopez biggest win is against a Featherweight!  

Regards, Stephen UK

Bread’s Response: Ok let’s see how the fight goes. You sent this after the mailbag but before the fight. I don’t talk in absolute terms when it comes to predictions. They are all educated guesses.

Credit, where credits due. Great pick with Teo. Only the 9th round. However, Taylors spent. Great shout!

Stephen, UK

Bread’s Response: Props for writing back and not making excuses. 

Um…I’m not sure if Taylor is done but I do think he needs to settle in on one trainer. I don’t like to see a fighter trainer hop. It’s one thing to switch for the better of your career but it can’t always be the trainer….. Taylor has switched often and against elite competition you would want you and your trainer to be in harmony or else you’re in the ring ALONE. The waters will be choppy at 147 for Taylor because 147 is so top heavy but I wish him luck. I’ve always thought he was the goods. Let’s see how his career plays out.

Good Evening Bread, hope all is well with you & yours. This maybe a cliched question but I don't recall you covering it & I would love your thoughts. In 1976 USA had an insanely brilliant Olympic boxing team with the Spinks Bros & SRL, although the best boxer was considered to be Howard Davis who, of course, didn't achieve a world title. In 1984 USA had an insanely brilliant Olympic boxing team with Meldrick, Pernell & Evander, although the best boxer was considered to be Tyrell Biggs who, of course, didn't achieve a world title.

If 1976 fight 1984 who wins & would it be different if they fought 3x3 with headgear or 3x12 under professional rules?Also, I find it strange that some guys on your blog have said you aren't that high on Josh Taylor. I can remember you singing his praises when very few people outside of Scotland had heard of JT. Do you think he can come back at 147 or has he ruined himself by so long struggling to make 140? To me, 147 is a deep pool but there are some ranked guys that are pretty weak, eg Cody Crowley. If JT fought CC & battered him, would he be able to leverage that into a title shot?

Bread’s Response: Man I loved JT when I saw him coming up. When he clipped  OHara Davies I knew he would be champion. I think Josh can come back but he has to be very careful with his match making. Josh is an inactive fighter. He’s 32 years old with only 20 career fights. 

I also think he needs a couple of feet warming fights at 147 and he needs to match up progressively. Josh seems to be NERVY if that’s word. He always seems on edge. Unless you’re a lights out puncher and you score a bunch of big kos early that mindset BURNS a fighter out. I think Josh has to find the mix of being intense but having fun while being intense. Let’s see how he does.

The 1984 team was deeper than the 1976 team. But the 1976 Team went up against the Russians and Cubans while the 1984 did NOT so the 1976 team is considered slightly greater. I think it’s pretty much even. If 1984 fought 1976 it would depend on who matched up with you. Remember you have to go by what their weights were. For example Whitaker and Leonard were the best of each team but they fought at different weights as amateurs. So I can’t really say how their fight would play out. 

Holyfield was the guy at 178lbs and Leon Spinks was the guy at 178lbs as an amateur. Holyfield was a better pro but Spinks may have been more advanced as an amateur. 

Virgil Hill was the guy at 165 as was Michael Spinks. I would favor Michael as an amateur and pro. 

Pernell Whitaker was a better pro than Howard Davis Jr. But I don’t know if he was a better amateur. Honestly it’s too hard to do the match ups how you stated them. Too many variables.

Hello, Bread,

Long time reader, especially a fan of your p4p rankings. Can you do a list of Top 5 Puerto Rican boxers in two ways, ranking them: 1. in terms of greatness, accomplishments, overall body of workand2. who beat who if they were in the same weight category.

Thanks, Jose

Bread’s Response: The top 5 PR fighters of All Time is easy for me. In no order, Felix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gomez, Carlos Ortiz, Wilfred Benitez and Miguel Cotto. As for who would beat who on their best day hmmm….I lean toward Trinidad or Ortiz but all are comparable. 

Greetings Breadman,

To my knowledge, the only media people that picked Teo over Josh Taylor were you and Teddy Atlas. (To be fair, you’re both trainers that work in the media as analysts and not talking heads).The Ring Magazine was 21-0 for Taylor. When Teo fought Loma, The Ring was also unanimous against Teo. (Steve Farhood picked him as a gag). You gave him a great shot (I believe) but I can’t recall anybody picking him. What is it about Teofimo Lopez that gets the media so wrong? Is it personal? I get the impression the powers that be are sick of “The Takeover” mentality.

Thanks, Nick

Bread’s Response: I think it’s the circumstances of both fights and you have to realize it’s hard to give someone credit that you don’t like. Very few humans are 100% objective. I am about boxing with fighters I’m not involved with….I think Teo was thought to be too young for Loma. And he was thought to be in a bad mental space for Taylor. So the context of both fights are important. I also think Teo and his dad play the heel and it’s hard for the media to root for them but the media can’t say that……I don’t get into any of that stuff. I just pick who I think will win and that’s that…

Hello Breadman,              

I pray God is blessing and continues to bless you and your family and the fans of your mailbag and their families. You are definitely a Boxing Savant. I checked other websites after the Lopez vs Taylor fight and I think you are the only one who picked Lopez. Your were right it was his quickness that made the difference. Lopez also seems more effective when he counter  punches on the outside rather than when he is in seek and destroy mode. I watched 3 of Lopez’s fights. His best performance vs Loma, his worst performance vs Kambosos   and his last performance vs Martin. He looked so bad in his last fight and the way he was questioning himself made me think no way he wins vs Taylor. Taylor looked 2 weight classes heavier. I’ve noticed lately that bigger ,taller fighters like Taylor, Fundora, Romero and Ryan Garcia  seem   incapable of utilizing their height advantage. It is shocking to see so many tall guys who  don’t take advantage of using their height.

Reminds me of Joel Embid trying to be more like Steph Curry than Shaq. When I fought short guys it was easy to keep them outside with a consistent and steady jab and when they tried to bum rush they got an uppercut every time. It was quite easy and I loved fighting them rather than a taller guy. What do you attribute it to that so many tall guys are being outboxed by smaller guys? It is mind boggling  to me. Thanks for all the great insight.  You are God’s gift to all boxing fans.                                                                                                                            

God bless and take care,                                                                                                                          

Blood and Guts from Philly

Bread’s Response: Bigger height doesn’t always mean bigger talent. Reflexes, reaction time and punch release have as much to do with who can box better and keep the distance as does height. That’s what everyone gets wrong. They assume the taller fighter will be better on the outside because of his height but that’s not always the case.

Fundora is a dog but he’s easy to hit and his reflexes are slow. Ryan Garcia is talented but he’s a little immature for Tank at the moment. Romero is not that tall….Taylor is very skilled but he’s not as talented as Lopez. Skill and talent are different. 

I have seen plenty of shorter fighter outbox taller fighters. Willie Pep was better on the outside vs Sandy Saddler who pressed Pep to beat him. James Toney outboxed Prince Charles Williams. Williams was taller. I can go on about that. 

Taylor is one of my favorite fighters. He’s not talent less. He has nice talent. I would say on a scale of 1-10 maybe a 7.5. But Teo is a 9 or 9.5. He’s off the hook with it. So there you have it. Talent is something bro. God Given ability. 

Obviously you need more than talent but when talent is motivated and disciplined it’s very hard to beat. In order for Taylor to beat Lopez he would have to either pick up his volume to offset the talent or get a better jab and not over commit. But just walking into those brutal counters all night is not going to get it. 

Teofimo along with Boots Ennis, Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Monster Inoue and Terence Crawford are the most TALENTED fighters in boxing in my opinion. I’m not saying they are the 5 best, I’m saying 5 most talented as far as what GOD gave them.

Agree with everything you've said so far but I don't know if you've seen it Spence definitely doesn't have a Hagler chin he's been hurt by looping shots before probably most notably against Emmanuel Lartey, not too dissimilar to the type of shots Crawford throws. I don't have a prediction or breakdown yet but lean Crawford if it was at 154 I think it's a true 50-50. In the UK Crawford is currently anywhere from 8/11 to 10/11 fav.

Bread’s Response: Hagler may have the best chin in history. So, not many have his chin. But Spence has solid whiskers. I’ve seen him hurt too. But taking a punch is related to many things. Being aware. Being UP for a fight. Determination. To name a few. Spence is going to be determined. He’s going to be UP. And his awareness should be at an all time high. Let’s see what happens. I think the fight comes down to if Spence can take Crawford’s punches late in exchanges. Crawford threads a needle as good as I’ve ever seen.

Hey Breadman,

Greetings from the great white North! I was wondering, given that so many main events happen to take place around midnight on the east coast (9pm west coast). Is it ever common to train your fighters late into the evenings in an attempt to condition the body to peak in the evening? Have you heard of this being a thing? I just don't think that an early morning run, mid afternoon workout followed by a 9-10pm bed time would be the best regiment to peak for a midnight performance. Doesn't your body clock get confused?!  Any thoughts on this would be interesting.

Cheers and thanks for all you do.

Brent from Canada

Bread’s Response: Your body clock can be confused and I personally like to train for at least the last week the time we will fight. Small things matter and off nights are real. I believe in that 100%.

I would notice my son’s 5th basketball team would be OFF if they played say a 7pm game on a school night. I believed it was because they were in school all day and their bodies would be winding down instead of up. But get them say 11am on a Saturday morning and they’re on FIRE. These are real things, very good pick up.

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