By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards

The Daily Bread mailbag returns with another edition, as Stephen "Breadman" Edwards discussed Timothy Bradley vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr., thoughts on Andre Ward facing Gennady Golovkin, Freddie Roach's comments regarding the Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao fight and more.

Got a question? Do you think Timothy Bradley is one of the more deserving fighters to take on Floyd Mayweather Jr? I know the talk is either Amir Khan or Keith Thurman but I look at his resume and see a guy who has one of the better resumes of current active fighters. I know it was a set back vs Chaves (I thought Desert Storm won), and his won vs Pacman was questionable (I can see how they scored again Pac but thought he lost after the final bell) but even then he seems to have warranted a shot. I think in this instance its a matter of money since it seems he doesn't bring a lot and the fact that he is with Top Rank, but he has done as much as anyone at 147 and isn't in that many boring fights, if we over look Alexander. What do you think?

Second. with Degale becoming the first Brit to win an Olympic Gold Medal and Belt, Badou Jack winning a belt, George Groves still in contention, Fedor Chudinov, j'Leon Love, Callum Smith and Gilberto Ramirez working their way up the ranks and JCC Jr and Robert Steiglitz hanging around, is it truly necessary for Andre Ward to move to 175? I know there are money fights with Kovalev, Adonis Stevenson and Jean Pascal but he is the king of the hill at 168 and to me it seems that opponents are available (barring promotional issues). Looking forward to your response. Rob J RVA

Bread’s Response: Tim Bradley has an excellent resume but it’s no real need to talk about him vs Floyd Mayweather. He’s not going to get that fight.

I have never been one to say a fighter needs to leave a division. I never got that line of thinking. When a fighter becomes the best fighter in his division all he is required to do from my hardcore perspective is fight the best available contender to his throne. The big fights will manifest. Andre Ward has plenty of fights at 168. Let’s see how things play out.

What's up bread been a while? Few questions about GGG. I noticed a big flaw in his offense. He is not an inside fighter, once he gets in he smothers himself by initiating a shoulder bump to give himself enough space again to punch but if he can't get the space he wants he gives the opponent the chance to hold. He gets away with this flaw because of his strength. People keep bringing up he will beat Ward. If Ward gets back in the ring and gets back his prime for I can't see GGG beating him. People underestimate Wards physical strength. If GGG goes to 168 against Ward he gives up that one big advantage he has at 160 and that's his strength. Ward understands range and would crowd GGG cause Ward is one of the best inside fighters today and would turn GGG. Also GGG bump move won't work on Ward. Your thoughts. Larry Tampa

Bread’s Response: I favor Ward to defeat GGG if and when they fight. But I think people are going overboard with criticism towards GGG because Willie Monroe went 6 rounds with him. A world class fighter who has 8 weeks to train will be competitive in spots. Geez.

Sure Golovkin’s defense needs improving but attacking fighters like him will never be unhittable. He’s going toward the incoming fire. Now ,is his defense as good as Chavez Sr. or Duran’s, no. But his defense is good enough for him to be 33-0 with 30kos.

Part of the reason why his opponent’s don’t hit him as much is because he keeps them on the defensive. He consistently makes them cover up. In his fight with Willie Monroe, GGG fought for the crowd too much and started loading up. He didn’t walk behind his pole like jab which is a great defensive and offensive punch. So in turn he got hit more.

As for his inside fighting I think you are mistaken. He works on the inside and he throws great body punches. He also does not allow himself to be tied up often, which is a good sign for an attacking fighter. I think you are nit picking. His inside fighting is fine.

If Andre Dirrell fails to win a world title in his career, should he be considered an underachiever?

Now before I start, I know the pro-Dirrell folks will give him a pass and say that he was out over a year (but less than two) because of the Abraham incident. Okay. If you want to give him a pass for that, then my argument will fall on deaf ears. I can't win that group over.

Notwithstanding that, you are talking about an Olympic medalist. A guy with blazing speed, good power, marvelous switch-hitting ability. That guy HAS to win a world title, right?

With all of those tools. With all that talent. If he doesn't win a world title in his career, it has to be an underachieving career.

Allan Green was considered by someone closely connected with him as an underachiever. They felt he had the tools to do much more and win a world championship. That person may be right, but Allan doesn't have more tools than Dirrell does.

I'm saying that because I like Dirrell. Dirrell is a likable guy. Green is more of a jackass. I like Green also, but he has an arrogant type of personality.

The point I'm trying to make is that people tend to sway one way for a guy they like and the opposite for a guy they think is a jerk---- even if the situations are the same. So if less talented Green is an underachiever, then Dirrell would be too, right?

Dirrell's far less talented brother won a title.

An American with Dirrell's talent MUST win a world title. I mean the Olympic pedigree. The Roy Jones-like speed and power. Tremendous boxing skills. Awesome switch-hitting style. These things MUST win a world title, right? He's not hype like Dante Craig or Kelcie Banks. He's the real deal and you know it, I know it, and he knows it.

He knew this coming in to the DeGale fight and should've fought like it, especially in the late rounds.

Your much less talented brother won a world title and overachieved a bit in doing so, IMO. Dirrell needs to win one too before its all over or it will be a huge disappointment.

Agree?

Mitch

Bread’s Response: Interesting point….Let’s see here. In an era with four world titles available in each weight class I would assume a talent like Andre Dirrell should win a world title. But when you make the comparison to his brother a point you soundly missed was whom they fought for their world titles. That is extremely relevant.

For some reason Andre fought much tougher opposition going through the ranks. And he fought better, more difficult fighters in his two title tries in Carl Froch who is a HOF fighter and James Degale who would be the favorite to defeat his younger brother Anthony. Anthony got his title shot against Sakio Bika. Bika is one of the toughest hombres around but Froch and Degale present a tougher test in my opinion.

Andre is supremely talented but he’s not Roy Jones. Jones is in the argument for the most talented fighter ever. He’s also in my opinion one of the 20 best fighters ever. So that may be a push but I get what you are saying.

I think the big thing that separates Jones and Dirrell is their IQ. When I was watching the fight I was literally talking to myself trying to figure out why Dirrell is not better than Andre Ward. He seems to have more god given ability. He’s bigger, he’s faster….Then I smacked myself because I should have observed this sooner. Ward has more mental talent. You guys know my saying, Speed is in the body, quickness is in the mind.

Andre Ward would have never been hit by the punch that knocked down Andre Dirrell. Dirrell literally loaded up and dropped his hands as Degale engaged him. He actually drew his hand back and cocked his punch. What a no no!

Dirrell actually tries to punch hard. He loads up on far too many punches especially in the mid range where danger lies. He has great reflexes but anybody can get clipped, if they are that defensively irresponsible. Dirrell didn’t process what Degale was doing to him. If you study Dirrell you will see he did the same thing in the last round of his fight with Derrick Edwards. He was caught trying to punch hard in the mid range and Edwards punched with him and hurt him. So take Andre Ward out of the equation and put Roy Jones in it. Jones never tried to punch hard unless he had his opponents hurt. He punched fast and sharp. Despite his criticism his IQ was off the charts he didn’t make those kinds of mistakes.

I think Dirrell will actually win a world title one day. I think he’s an excellent fighter. I think he was jobbed a little bit vs Carl Froch. In my opinion he won that fight. But he has a little revamping to do if he is going to be consistent at the top level. If you don’t look past his pretty athleticism you won’t see what I’m talking about. Dirrell needs to refine his small mistakes so it can lead to a big victory. He also needs to stop being so emotional during his fights.  He was talking and posturing during the fight with Degale.  Settle down young man you’re a great talent. But Hold off on the disappointment talk his career is not over yet. I think he has some good fights in him in the future.

Long time reader first time writer .I really enjoy your insight .I would like your opinion regarding the standing 8 count .it seems like it is hardly ever used anymore .I would like to see it in every bout .I feel that too many times we see a boxer take some hard shots .the ref then comes in and stops it .next thing we know , the boxer who was stopped is jumping up and down complaining that he is fine .now , I have no problem with the ref because safety comes first .however , a standing 8 count would give the ref a chance to assess the boxer's condition , look in eyes , and say something like "you have to show me something ".this way ,we would see less premature stoppages .also , the stopped boxer would feel he got a better shake .thanks and keep up the great work .

Bread’s Response: I totally disagree. There is no need for a standing 8 count in professional boxing. Think about this? If a fighter is seriously hurt and can’t defend himself and the referee continuously steps in to allow him 8 seconds to recover, the media would accuse that referee of favoritism. The area is too gray.

If a boxer is hurt, then he should take a knee or clinch. You seem to be looking at it from the hurt boxer’s perspective but what about the boxer who is in the advantageous position. In essence that boxer would be obstructed from scoring a knockout.

I am glad the standing out is not used in professional boxing. It would cause much more controversy. Thanks for writing in and keep on following.

If I am not mistaken Leonard Ellerbe used to be Floyd Mayweather’s strength and conditioning coach. I know Mayweather recently went to Alex Ariza but for years Ellerbee was the coach. Why doesn’t he get more credit and why doesn’t he work with more fighters? Floyd’s conditioning has always been impeccable.

Bread’s Response: Good question. I believe you are correct Leonard Ellerbe was Floyd’s conditioning coach. And yes you are correct Floyd has always been in great condition. I don’t know why Ellerbe does not get more credit. I assume it’s because he doesn’t broadcast how good of a coach he is. Not many people know that Ellerbe was Mayweather’s conditioning coach. So he can’t get credit for something not many know.

I have talked to Ellerbe  and he is a super sharp guy. He actually knows boxing quite well. He probably does not work with more fighters because he’s wearing his promoter’s hat these days. They have a fighter in Mayweather who will make over 200 million dollars in one night’s work. I assume he doesn’t have the time to condition other fighters on a consistent basis but yes he has done a great job with Mayweather.

I can tell by your Social Media that you are a big basketball and Lebron James fan. Do you think Lebron is the Floyd Mayweather of boxing? They both seem to get so much for simply being the best.

Bread’s Response: I am a huge basketball fan. And yes I admire Lebron James. The kid has had more pressure on him than any athlete ever has in my opinion. Lebron had to be this good or he would be considered a bust. The Hall of Fame would not be enough for him. People still ni pick the guy. He can’t miss a free throw without being called a choke artist. It’s almost sick the hate people have for him.

I think him and Floyd are a little different. I don’t know if Floyd had the kind of pressure on him that Lebron had early on. Lebron was considered the best highschool basketball player. Floyd was always a special talent but he wasn’t viewed as the best amateur fighter ever at a similar age of Lebron.

Floyd also plays the heel at times. Lebron does not. So while they are both the best in their sport and are all time greats. I wouldn’t call Lebron the Mayweather of basketball or Mayweather the Lebron of boxing. They have their own niches.

Hey Bread,

What is your take on the state of amateur boxing, USA & International?

Watching the USA nationals, EBC, JO's online, world championships fighters abilities have diminished compared to years prior, just objective observation. From the Cuban fighters boxing under the program led by Sagarra, to Eastern European fighters are not as skillful as they used to be except for those rare few who. Domestically, the 2012 class of amateur fighters has some good professionals some who are moving to contender status. Errol Spence, Alex Smith, Plant, D Ballard, J-Rock, Gausha, Magdelano, Arnett, Warren and the list goes on. How do you see these USA fighters progressing. One indicator that I use when having to decide between to very good evenly matched fighters is who would win in the amateurs and that's why I believed Degale would beat Dirrell, Loma beat Russell and will again if they rematch and Ward will beat Kovalev when they fight. I know better amateur pedigree does not always correlate to a win in the pros but it is a good indicator. j rock has improved drastically since the amateurs and warren seems like he has stagnated a bit but he was leagues above comp in the amateurs. I know you may limited on what you can say because you know all these guys and not all will be world champions. I'm curious on why some progress and adjust better given that they are all training focused and working towards the same goal?

Thanks for the responses always interesting to read.

Bread’s Response: I think the USA will medal in the 2016 Olympics. Philadelphia has two outstanding amateurs in Jarron Ennis at 141lbs and Darmani Rock at super heavyweight.

Yes the kids who turned from 2010-12 are very good and are moving into contender status. Errol Spence, Julian Williams, Robert Easter and Raushee Warren are probably the most advanced. I also think highly of Terrell Gausha but he is moving at a more deliberate pace.

I have a different theory than you. Lots of times the faster and longer fighter will win the 3 round amateur contest but that does not mean he will win a 12 round boxing match. Terrell Biggs could beat Mike Tyson in the amateurs but not in the pros. I don’t know if anyone can beat Mark Breland at 147lbs in an amateur mach. But in a 12 or 15 round fight…….different story. I do get what you are saying but I’m just not sold on the theory. It mixes and matches so much.

There are many reasons why some kids progress better and faster than others. Matchmaking is very important. If you notice Top Rank prospects are usually brought along slower unless they are exceptional like Rigondeaux or Lomanchenko. Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya were also brought along fast but they are not the norm for Top Rank. Other outfits bring their guys along faster.

Another aspect is upside. Sometimes a fighter has all of resources and he peaks out very early as amateur and he doesn’t improve much in the pro ranks. Sometimes he is either older or more mature. Some people confuse the word accelerated with the word advanced. Some kids are accelerated because their parents or sponsors have money and they can travel to every tournament. They can afford a conditioning coach and the proper diet. Some kids just fight and you can tell the difference.

But the most important factor in my opinion is the coach they choose. I truly believe a coach can’t coach more than 3 elite level fighters at one time. There are only so many hours in the day and a good training session last between 1 ½ and 2 hours. Elite fighters need one on one correction and attention. The kids that you see improve the most get that one on one time. It’s vital. Some kids get impressed and run to a famous gym and famous coach. But that coach will usually have higher priorities. For example if Freddie Roach has Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, for 8 weeks at a time his focus is on them and understandably so. But the thriving amateur won’t get the needed attention.

Please ask Freddie Roach to stop with the ridiculous comments in the press. I respect the man, but he’s losing his credibility with the talking he’s doing. Again, I’m not saying anything in reference to his skills as a trainer, but the excuses for Pacman really need to stop. I know it’s human nature, but is it really that hard to acknowledge the fact that he lost. Just own up to it and accept it. There’s no shame in losing to Mayweather; none at all.

Bread’s Response: I don’t have Freddie’s number my man but I do agree with you. Freddie should just look Manny in his eye and tell him he loss the fight 8 rounds to 4. That’s what the consensus score of the fight is.

I don’t understand the controversy on either front for the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight. I wonder if Freddie really feels as though Manny won. If he does then he does. Scoring is subjective. But I would assume that he became too emotionally involved in the fight and it clouded his judgment because Floyd won that fight.