By Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards
The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards, who answers questions on Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev, James DeGale vs. Badou Jack, heavyweight legend Joe Louis, and more.
Bread!
What am I missing? Did you see this Ward-Kovalev promo? Is S.O.G. this upside down? What am I missing? I was thinking this was a 50/50 type of fight.
Bread’s Response: I don’t believe he is but lots of respected people in boxing believe Ward loses to Kovalev. The fight seems 50/50 on paper but when you start asking people more of them pick the Krusher.
The one thing about a prediction is time will tell if it’s right. I’m still picking Ward but I believe he has the fight of his career on his hands. We shall see..
Hey Breadman,
Thanks for the boxing insight and fantastic feedback on questions. What are your thoughts on Degale vs Jack? Who do you see winning and why?
Bread’s Response: I think this is a drawish type of fight. Degale will throw the flashier punches while Jack’s steady work will try to trump. I don’t have a pick at this moment but I will say Jack has closed the gap in perception.
Bread,
What do you see in Joe Louis' punch technique from the waist up that enabled him to generate such concussive power?
Anyone in history remind you of his delivery?
Many thanks!!!!
Adam Molnar, Whitby Canada
Bread’s Response: Louis is the greatest puncher in the history of boxing. 75 years after his prime, punching technique has not evolved past Louis’s leather boxing shoes with sandy bottoms, shuffling forward ever so slightly, hands pointed towards the prey. Elbows in so he doesn’t tip off the incoming fire. Stepping into the punch, snapping the punch at the shoulders , while turning on the shot at the hips. When I hear people say a negative critique about Louis I automatically press mute.
Lots of guys tried to have Louis’s stance and delivery. Especially during the 30’s and 40’s. It’s always cool to emulate the best fighter of the times. But none delivered exactly how he does. His patience and confidence in his approach is what set him apart. He NEVER came out of sorts when he was getting outboxed because he knew something….
Hey bread longtime no speak hope all is blessed with family life & your fighters?
Can you elaborate a bit on your comment in regards to speed being a curse please? I get it with Amir Khan but I didn't get it with sugar Ray Leonard & Roy Jones. I think in the past you had said that RJJ wasn't just a speed & reflexes guy but very technical and I believe in the past you said that sugar Ray Leonard & RJJ declined when Father Time kicked in more (early to mid 30's) so than anything (I think that's what you said or what I took from it). Also who do you think will come out on top of this current heavyweight division Wilder? (He got Mark breland ????), Anthony Joshua? Tyson Fury? Ortiz King-Kong.....Note I haven't included Haye, Klitchsko or Briggs as I think there time is up.
Bread’s Response: All fighters decline at some point I think you may have misquoted me…
Speed was not a curse for Roy Jones and Ray Leonard because their speed was harnessed. Amir Khan has unharnessed movement. So he’s too fast for his own mind. He becomes defensively irresponsible because he can’t think defense and offense at the same time. He also does not see the incoming well because he’s so infatuated with his own speed. He literally loses his peripheral vision while punching. Example…. he’s trying to hit Canelo with a left hook, he doesn’t even see that Canelo is setting him up over the top for a right hand. Boom fight over.
So yes speed is a curse for Amir Khan but not for all speedsters it depends on whom you are speaking of.
Bread:
It was good to see you and JRock on PBC. Was this your first time? Your understanding and analysis is very much appreciated. You were spot on with Gary Antonio Russell's need to play it smart by working from the outside. You're in line to fill the void left by Emanuel Steward's passing: the experience and success you're building with JRock, the intelligence and acumen, and the passion for the sweet science. Please keep it up! Onto my question/comment:
Why are so many US commentators naming Keith Thurman as the best welterweight in the world? Is this a case of US bias here? I haven't been too impressed with Thurman (he's been matched very well) and was waiting to see how he showed out versus Shawn Porter. Until last weekend, his best challenge was against Robert Guererro, who started out as a junior lightweight. Thurman passed the test by squeaking by Porter, so my hat is off to him, but Kell Brook beat Porter beforehand and more convincingly. How can Dan Rafael, whom I respect, and others pass over Brook like that? The only US fighter who seems willing to fight Brook is Errol Spence, who, if he has a good set a whiskers, will prove himself to be the absolute cream off the welterweight crop. Look at what he did to Chris Algieri. Your thoughts on this Thurman as the best thing? Simba - Wash, DC.
Bread’s Response: I was actually very impressed by Thurman’s performance vs Porter. I thought Shawn Porter would walk him down and out hustle him late. Thurman actually did better in the later rounds and eked out the fight.
As far as him being the best welterweight in the world I don’t consider him that. The best guys have to fight each other in order to determine that. Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Jesse Vargas, Kell Brook, Errol Spence and Keith Thurman all have to fight each other for me to determine who is truly the best.
The eye ball test tells me it’s Kell Brook or Errol Spence. Resumes suggest it’s Danny Garcia or Tim Bradley.
