By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards

The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards answering questions on Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev, thoughts on Adrien Broner vs. Ashley Theophane, Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Jacobs, Robert Easter vs. Argenis Mendez and more.

Bread,

What'd you think of Andre Ward?

I think he should take another fight, but Kathy Duva will do everything to prevent Ward from taking another intermediate fight.

Ward was smart to get 3 - fight deal from HBO cause he can force another tuneup culminating in  the final fight of the deal being Kovalev.

I thought Ward was sharp and slick, but could be sharper.

Bread’s Response: I thought Ward performed at a 7.5-8 level on a 1-10 scale. I think Barrera was the perfect guy to come back against. Not a complete killer but not a turkey sandwich. I think Ward was trying things with Barrera. Like testing his strength and punching power at 175. I think he was trying to clip Barrera when he usually just boxes more.

He did get hit but it’s boxing. You’re not going to sit in the midrange like he did and not get touched I don’t care who you are. His defense was fine for the style he fought. Look at Ward vs Makrenko in the 2004 Olympics. If he fought like that and still got touched I would be worried. In fact these guys are lucky he doesn’t fight like that anymore. He would never get touched.

I did think his timing was slightly off offensively. There were a few shots that he could have let go on and he didn’t shoot the shot. But I don’t like to micro manage every little thing when it comes to analyzing a fighter. I guy can have an off night right in the middle of what we consider his prime. See Floyd vs Emanuel Augustus and Victor Sosa. Floyd was sharp on those nights but he wasn’t Diego Corrales like sharp.

The BIG question is does Ward get another fight in before the showdown. If I’m Ward I try my hardest. In fact I threaten no Krusher showdown if they don’t accommodate.

I truly believe one of the reasons why we don’t see great fighters become better at the top level today is because they start fighting once or twice a year. It preserves the body but in contrast you lose timing and sharpness. It stagnates their growth. Look how much GGG and Kovalev improved. They fight often. Remember Floyd Mayweather beat Genaro Hernandez in October of 98. In December he came right back and kod Angel Manfredy. Activity keeps you sharp. Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns had over 30 fights when they fought and both were only pro for 5 years.

This is the main reason why I believe fighters from the 90’s on back are better than fighters today. If I put my matchmaker hat on I match Ward with Andreys Fonfara or Slava Shabrankssy next. Neither are the Krusher but both are capable, strong, Eastern Euro fighters who will come to win. In my opinion this HAS to be done to give Ward the best chance at defeating Krusher.

I think Main Events think they know something. They are already making concessions with Kovalev willing to go Ward’s hometown. In boxing when someone concedes something they want something in return. I believe they will want more money and the big fight next. Ward being a student and perfectionist will probably not give in to that. We shall see…

Mr. Edwards,

First, thanks you for posting my comments on your previous mailbag.  It's and honor to make the cut,  Secondly I saw in your recent mailbag that you are an Aries so I am wishing you a Happy Birthday in advance.  I celebrated my 59th on March 21st.  Aries rocks!

I watched Andre vs. Sullivan Barrera.  That guy is a genius in the ring and his physical strength I think is overlooked.  I think the consensus is that he needs at least one more fight under his belt before he takes on the Krusher to which  I agree. It will be a tough match up but my money's on AW.

Max Kellerman gives me the impression that he's going with Kovalez.

Peace,

Tony T from Harlem

Bread’s Response: Aries stand up. I slightly favor Ward but let’s see how he looks in his next fight. Krusher is nothing to play with and I can see why people are picking him. This is truly a 50/50 fight. In a fight this close, perception can go back on forth

Ward’s physical strength is serious. He’s one of the strongest fighters I have ever seen but people compliment him on his IQ and technique so much his physical strength gets overlooked. Ward could be stronger than Krusher. People don’t realize that physical strength and punching power are different entities. Not sure who Max is going with but he can’t say publicly because it will be a conflict of interest.

It’s strange to me that Danny Jacobs never gets called on not fighting GGG. He’s the WBA regular champion whatever that means. GGG is the champion. The WBA could solve that problem by ordering the fight. Jacobs is content with being the regular champion. He doesn’t even mention it and no one seems to notice it. Who wins that fight?

Bread’s Response: There are too many champions in boxing. But I am used to 4 the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO. But when you add the super and interim champions things get messy. If I’m open minded I can even understand the interim tag. But the problem is when the interim champion actually has a prolonged reign of defenses and it never gets enforced that he has to fight the real champion.

The WBA regular bet is almost like a junior championship. And you have some really good elite level fighters who have been the Regular champion for far too long. I don’t get why a mandated fight between the regular champion and real champion does not happen more often.

In almost every division there are multiple WBA champions and if these fights were mandated we could have some huge fights. The biggest and best fight would probably be Danny Jacobs vs Genady Golovkin. I would favor GGG over every middleweight but I think it’s a really good fight and it would be a huge ticket seller in NY.

If I remember correctly Jacobs said he wasn’t ready for GGG. I don’t know if he still feels that way but that’s a very humbling thing for a fighter who is as accomplished as Jacobs to say.

I’m a Brit Breadman and I think Ashley Theophane is being disrespected. The promotion is all about Mayweather and Broner. No one is mentioning Ashley. Ashley can fight he got robbed vs Danny Garcia and he’s been solid his whole career. I think he pulls the upset.

Bread’s Response: Theophane put up a great fight vs Danny. I remember that fight. But it was long ago. Theophane is a lot older now and he hasn’t done too much lately. I agree with you Theophane is not getting any love in the promotion but he is getting a title shot he probably didn’t deserve. So being affiliated with a shot caller like Floyd Mayweather has it’s benefits.

I don’t agree with you on the outcome of the fight. Broner is just too talented for Theophane level guys. We shall see.

I know you are big on Robert Easter. How do you see his fight with Argenis Mendez going?

Bread’s Response: I know lots of people like Mendez in this fight but not me. I think Easter beats him in a high contact scrap. Easter is a mean kid. He has a good jab but he brings it and his best punch is a left hook to the body. He’s a hybrid Paul Williams and Terrance Crawford as far as his style. I’m not claiming he’s better than those guys just pointing out the style contrast. I don’t know if he stops Mendez but he will beat him clean. Easter is every bit as good as Felix Verdejo.

Send Questions & comments to dabreadman25@hotmail.com