The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen "Breadman" Edwards tackling topics such as Vergil Ortiz challenging WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford, thoughts on the Charlos twins, IBF/WBC light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, and more.
I love watching boxing matches for pure entertainment. But every now and then, there are some where I sit down and try to score them. It’s become something of a hobby. One scorecard per fight and then I never look back. The reason I bring this up is because you mentioned in last week’s mailbag that judges should train/practice by having to score historic fights. Was curious... do you have a list of fights you would assign to would-be judges? Can you think of some fights that fit that bill?
Bread’s Response: Yes I’m going to give you some fights that were very popular. I will give you a hardcore contender fight that no one talks about. And I will give you fight that there wasn’t a big outcry but the A side fighter most likely lost. Ray Leonard vs Marvin Hagler. Floyd Mayweather vs Jose Luis Castillo1. Jermaine Taylor vs Cory Spinks. Edner Cherry vs Omar Douglas. In one of these fights I think because the fighters switched corners at the last minute, the judges ruled for the A side corner thinking that was the fighter who clearly won but mistakenly gave it to the wrong fighters and no one corrected it. Tell me which one…
Dear Mr. Edwards,
Let me begin by thanking you for your weekly treat which I am always looking forward to and have learned a lot from. I was watching the Beterbiev fight last weekend and though this wasn’t his best performance I was quite impressed by the punch that put Deines down in the tenth. It seem to me that Beterbiev is quite unique among the current champions, not only by being such a powerful puncher, by being able to generate to much power with so little travel (and also quite average speed). I’ve noticed this in previous fights of his as well. He likes to punch from middle to close range and often his hands are already pretty close to the target to start with, and yet they are often devastating.
He also seems to be able to do the same thing in punching from a clinch, that is with barely any travel and hip-movement, at least as far as I can see. Now I know that power is often natural that so there’s not much to explain about it, but what do you think is the explanation for him being able to generate so much power from up close? Is it technique, is it physiology, or both and of what kind? He does seem to have and exceptionally strong and muscular core…A comparison with Bud Crawford's debilitating strike against Kell Brook might also be in order. It was similarly short, but on the other hand seemed more like a fast whipping punch than Beterbiev’s.
Anyway, would be grateful for any input on this as it seems to me to be a quite rare thing in need of explanation.
All the best,
Razvan from Romania (via Berlin)
Bread’s Response: When people say that you can’t build punching power I always shake my head. Beterbiev is the prime example of a fighter who can naturally punch but he works a certain set of muscle groups to enhance it. I wish someone would ask him.
He has freakish forearm strength. He has freakish grip strength. His hands are extremely strong. His shoulders are very strong. He actually works the same muscle groups that GGG does. They both are heavy handed brutal punchers. Does anyone think this is a coincidence? Just look at Beterbiev’s workouts. He literally has build up his power in a way where he doesn’t need a run way to generate momentum like say Deontay Wilder. He scores damaging punches while he’s very close to an opponent. It’s why he scores KOs in every fight because he doesn’t need a special situation to score his ko. I was there live when he fought the Nail. The Nail was in great shape and had a solid gameplan. Beterbiev was just a technical brute that night. He was hitting him with short brutal shots that most fighters can’t generate any power on but he can score KOs from. He literally stabs his opponents with his gloves. He has excellent balance. And he’s very smart. He built up his fist, wrist, forearms, elbows and shoulders in a way, so when his punches land there is no give upon impact. It’s like a bullet. When an object breaks/gives upon impact, it doesn’t strike with the same deadliness as the object that doesn’t give.
For an opposite analogy. Beterbiev’s fist are brick walls. Most other guys’ fist are wooden doors. You would rather run into a wooden door than a brick wall any day. Beterbiev has the best current mix of physical strength with extreme punching power in boxing, Some of it came natural obviously but some of it was worked on.
Crawford threw one of the best punches I’ve ever seen in a boxing match vs Kell Brook. That’s a punch that gets thrown in inner city street fights but not often in boxing matches. It comes when your dominant hand is out front. It looks like a hook is coming but the arc gets shortened and it gets turned into a hybrid jab. Crawford would most likely have a hard time throwing that shot from an orthodox stance because a jab with your non dominant hand is not thrown that way. That shot comes from fighters who’s dominant hand is out front. Ward hit Dawson with that shot. Oscar hit dozens of guys with that shot. Michael Moorer and Virgil Hill threw it. As did Crawford. As great as the shot was. As short as the shot was. It’s different than the way Beterbiev delivers his shots. Neither is better, just different.
Hi Bread,
I have seen you mention multiple times that Donald Curry's peak was extremely high till the time he got knocked out Mike Mccallum. Maybe, the lot after Leonard's departure till Whitaker's arrival gets ignored a little. McCrory, Curry, Honeyghan, Starling, Blocker, Brown and McGirt? Please correct me if I am wrong but I am inclined to believe that Curry was the best of this lot. How would you view his legacy and how do you think he would perform against Whitaker and Floyd? He is bigger than both but do you think he can stylistically give them trouble?
Regards,
Saurabh
Bread’s Response: From 1979-82, 6 HOF competed at welterweight. Carlos Palimino, Pipino Cuevas, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Wilfred Benitez and Ray Leonard were all competing in their primes at 147lbs. So whenever a division loses that much legacy and star power, the next era will get overlooked. Donald Curry would have fit right in with those guys, his birthday was just a little too late and he didn’t get a chance to fight any of them.
I don’t think the next era was as good but they were good enough. Curry and McGirt are HOF. Brown and Starling deserve consideration. I do think Curry was the best out of the bunch. And honestly I can’t pick head to head fights between Curry vs Mayweather/Whitaker. He was that good in my opinion. Curry from 83-86 was as good as a fighter you will study on film. He was fast, athletic and skillful. He had functional size at the weight. He was a true 15 round fighter. He had a very big punch. He had a two fisted attack. He had an elite level jab and reflexes. And he was bigger than both Floyd and Whitaker physically. I saw Floyd have trouble with an older Oscar. I saw Whitaker have trouble with Oscar and Hurtado. People won’t hear this but Curry was every bit as good as Oscar on Oscar’s best day. Oscar has a better legacy but as far as who can beat who. I just don’t know. Whitaker and Floyd would have had their hands full with Curry. For those who don’t believe me. Watch Curry vs Colin Jones, Roger Stafford, Milton McCrory and Marlon Starling 2. That dude could go! I can’t call either fight and I’m literally trying to pick a winner as I type.
What did you think of Vergil Ortiz’s performance and do you think he’s ready for Terence Crawford? Speaking of Crawford did you hear his comments during his interview? Agree or Disagree about Spence and Canelo?
Bread’s Response: I like Vergil Ortiz. He’s a violent attacker with lots of volume and intensity. He seems heavy handed and in really good condition. I also think he can be ran hot. What I mean by that is working harder than he wants to without him realizing it. All of his punches seem to be hard and snappy. He seems super intense which is good but it can be used against him also. That can happen to young, eager fighters. I also want to point out that Hooker fought a really good fight. He was right with Ortiz up until the fight was stopped. Hooker reminds me of Milton McCrory. A 1980’s welterweight who fought out of the Kronk stable. Solid guy.
Terence Crawford has a right to his opinion. I’m assuming you mean his comments about not wanting to fight Spence anymore and Canelo shying away from black fighters Andrade and Charlo. As far as Spence, it looks like Spence wants to fight Ugas in an attempt to win 3 out of the 4 belts. If Spence owns 3 belts and Crawford owns 1 then Spence will command a bigger portion of the money. Spence seems to be a shrewd negotiator. Who knows Crawford may be frustrated because Spence has more current resources at welterweight. Spence has a bigger pool of opponents to pick from. Spence has been at the weight longer. Spence is with PBC. Spence has had bigger PPV fights. It seems as though Crawford tried to make the fight but wasn’t successful. I don’t get into behind the scenes negotiations because no one really knows. What we do know is they haven’t fought yet. So maybe Crawford is just tired of not getting the fights he wants at 147 and he’s moving on. That’s all I can think of. Maybe he doesn’t want to keep asking for fights.
One thing I will say about that, is it can transfer over to the ring. Sometimes a fighter can chase a fight so much that when he finally gets it, he doesn’t fight with the poise he should. During the negotiations the fighter who chased the fight is usually mocked because he’s making less money. Maybe Crawford doesn’t want to go through that. He’s going to be 34 this year. He’s the #1 P4P in the world in my opinion and he can’t get a relevant fight. It has to be frustrating at this point. I don’t know a fighter in the history of the sport that this has happened to for this long.
The Canelo comment is thick. It’s not a simple comment to comment on. I try not to say things out of context because more than one thing can be true. For example, Oscar De La hoya never fought Winky Wright or Vernon Forest. I have no idea why but the fights didn’t happen. Someone could say that Oscar has shied away from some black fighters. But an Oscar supporter could say yes he didn’t fight Wright or Forest but he did fight Whitaker, Hopkins, Mayweather, Mosley, Coley and Carr. Context is so important.
I don’t think Canelo is scared of anyone. He’s a killer. But he’s only one man and he can only fight one fight at a time. Since Lara in 2014 he fought two black fighters. Danny Jacobs and James Kirkland. So he does fight black fighters. On the other hand Canelo can fight whoever he wants. He could fight Andrade tomorrow if he wanted to. Because he’s the A side and he represents the lottery. But him choosing not to fight Andrade and Charlo is not really a duck in my opinion. I guess you can say, he simply didn’t choose them. That may be the appropriate phrase. I think that Eddy Reynoso is very smart. He knows that Andrade and Charlo are tough fights. So I think they are sort of making them EARN their shots a little different than other opponents.
But here is the thing. Those young men are undefeated champions in their 30s. They can corner the market by picking off potential Canelo opponents to make the fights more in demand. They have opponents that they can fight in order to get steam behind them wanting a shot at Canelo. It may not be fair that BJ Saunders can get a shot at Canelo without doing more than Andrade or Charlo. But that’s life. You can’t play the victim in boxing.
So from what I heard Crawford say he didn’t really say it in full context. Yes Canelo could have possibly fought both Andrade and Charlo. But he has chosen not to at this time. They also don’t fight at 168lbs. But in full context he didn’t fight them when he was at 160 either. And him and Andrade were both top guys at 154 at the same time....
Unfortunately for Charlo and Andrade if they don’t create more demand for the fight with Canelo, history won’t call it a duck. Because Canelo has fought much better fighters than they have and most importantly they haven’t even fought each other which is a big deal. Neither of them has fought GGG or Danny Jacobs either. They’re both champions at 160 right now. Both undefeated. That’s a big fight to make. And that’s my whole take on it in full context. More than one thing can be true.
What’s up Mr. Bread.
Which Charlo brother do you rate higher? Can you tell them apart? It seems as though the media often confuses them and Jermell just went on a rant about it. I thought I could tell them apart but I got it wrong also, I thought Jermall fought Lubin but it was actually Jermell. Do you think they are HOF or more work to do?
Bread’s Response: Yes I can tell them apart very easily. They look alike but not exactly alike. I’m a very detailed person but if you have a good eye it’s not hard to tell them apart. Some members of the media are irresponsible and they don’t take the time to learn the difference, which they should.
Jermell is the 154lb Champion who owns the WBC, WBA and IBF belts. Jermall is the 160lb Champion who owns the WBC belts.
Jermell just stopped Jeison Rosario with a jab to the body. Jermall just beat Devranchenko by decision on the same card.
Jermell is trained by Derrick James. Jermall is trained by Ronnie Shields.
Jermall is taller and he looks a little more heavier. Jermell fights on the bounce like Terry Norris. Jermall sort of post up and holds his ground. Jermall is busier with his jab. Jermell is a little bit quicker.
I actually rate them about even in terms of P4P standings. Jermell has 3 belts but Jermall has won titles in 2 different divisions. Jermell has 1 loss but he avenged it by ko. Jermall is undefeated but his fight vs Matt Korobov was VERY close. Korobov boxed just as good as Tony Harrison did in defeating Jermell on the same night.
If you take their best wins since they became champion it’s still super close. Jermall’s is Austin Trout, Julian Williams, Brandon Adams, Matt Korobov and Sergey Devrenchenko. Jermell’s is Austin Trout, Erickson Lubin, Jeison Rosario and Tony Harrison. Their one common opponent is Austin Trout and Trout gave both very tough close fights. There still isn’t much separation objectively.
The only real separation is pre title run. For some reason Jermell turned pro earlier. He was with Golden Boy. They matched Jermell tough. I paid attention because I was training Julian Williams at the time who is their same age and was in their division. Before Jermell won the title he fought a couple of undefeated prospects which always stands out. He also fought Chris Chatman, Francisco Santana, Denis Douglin and Dashon Johnson. Those names may not mean anything to people who don’t follow the sport as closely as I do. But those guys are tough gatekeepers. All of those guys can upset a prospect if you aren’t on you’re A game. Once Jermell became a contender he fought Demetrius Hopkins, Gabe Rosado, Charlie Ota and Vanes Martirosyan. Those are very solid contender fights to take BEFORE you get a title shot. The bizarre thing was Jermall got a title shot earlier. The only fight that stands out for Jermall coming up is the Antwone Smith fight. That was an excellent fight for a prospect.
I’m not sure about this part but I think Jermall was with Al Haymon first, while Jermell was with Golden Boy then he went to Haymon later. That may explain the difference in their matchmaking in the beginning. I don’t think either is a HOF yet. But they are on the right track. Both have good records and are good positions. Fighters in this era take longer to establish HOF status because they don’t fight as often and more belts are available. So not quite yet as far as HOF. Let’s see how the next few years play out.
I just saw that Andre Rozier and Danny Jacobs reunited. Keith Connolly released a statement. Connolly seems to be very influential these days in boxing. What are your thoughts on Rozier and Jacobs getting back together? Do you think Jacobs’s performances have been lacking since his departure from Rozier? It seems as if you and Jrock had a similar relationship that Rozier and Jacobs had. Is there any chance of you guys reconciling?
Bread’s Response: How do you know that Rozier will be training Jacobs again? I didn’t read that. Maybe they just put their differences behind them. They were very close and maybe they just don’t want to be at odds anymore. This is a brutal game and it really brings out the worst in people. Maybe they needed to be on better terms. But I didn’t read anything about the training aspect.
Yes Keith Connolly is the man. He’s doing a great job for all of his fighters.
Jacobs has been a in a bit of a slump lately. He struggled a little vs Chavez and a lot vs Rosado. But who knows what it’s from. He made a boat load of money vs Canelo and that can do something to a fighter. It’s not just training hard. It’s training hungry with the ambition to be great. Very few fighters can do that after making the type of money Jacobs did. That could be a reason. Maybe it was just a slump which fighters can go through. Maybe he’s 34. It can be a combination of things. Jacobs has had a fine long career.
I really don’t have an opinion about them reconciling. I just feel happy for them without having a public opinion. That’s their personal business. However I want to say I think highly of Andre Rozier as a person. He’s a solid guy and it’s not many in boxing. He’s always been supportive of me. He’s always been respectful to me. And I consider him a colleague. He’s one of the good people in boxing. I know he loved Danny like a son and I’m just happy for both of those brothers. Rozier is also an underrated trainer who gives excellent advice in the corner. Listen to his in between the round instructions during his fights. Clear and precise.
Good evening Breadman
I hope this email finds you well and that you and your family are well. This is my first time writing in. I am a regular reader of your mailbag and enjoy it alot. I just have a question in regards to fighters from Russia, Kazakhstan, etc. GGG, Lomachenko, Beterbiev, Usyk etc. I find that they stay in the Amateurs to long and often their careers could have been more meaningful if they started earlier.
Do you think their is a particular reason that it takes so long to make the transition, because I feel they don't reach their full potential by staying to long in the the amateurs and Historically could have been great fighters if they chose to start earlier and can fight in their prime as a professional.
I feel these guys often have to rush to get the most out of their careers, because they simply started too late as a pro. Is their maybe any reason for this approach? Because i think it is harmful for their legacy. Any thoughts on this subject. Oh and i agree with you 100% in regards to Jaron Ennis. He roughed up Christ Van Heerden much quicker then Spence, pity about the nasty clash of heads, but he has a bright future ahead of him. May God bless you and your family. Looking forward to hearing your opinion in that regard.
Bread’s Response: I actually agree with you. I don’t think any fighter needs 200 amateur fights. He definitely doesn’t need too many fights once he turns 20. On the average by the time a fighter is 20 years old you can start seeing some of potential and ceilings. Obviously there are some cases that go against the grain but 20 years old is usually line. Often times you will see an elite amateur stay a little longer because his birthday was on an odd Olympic year. For example lots of good fighters were born in 1990. But during the 2008 Olympic year they were only. 18. So most of them just turned pro instead of waiting until the 2012 games in which they were 22. 20 years old is usually the American unwritten rule. In other countries I think politics play a bigger part. Nevertheless they cut into their pro peaks by waiting until their mid to late 20s to turn pro.
You’re 100% right and by the time they get their Super fights they are often past their physical peaks. Every fighter you named I think is past their physical peak. Usyk is still waiting on a heavyweight title shot. Loma just lost to a younger fighter. And Beterbiev is just coming off a long lay off. As you get older set backs are harder to overcome.
One fighter who I think stayed amateur too long was Raushee Warren. I know he’s not from Russia but he went to 3 Olympic teams. Warren is a smaller fighter who relied on speed. He’s still fast and he’s still good. But I can’t help but to think how good his legacy could have been if he turned pro after 2004 or 2008 and not 2012. 4 years is a very long time in boxing. You can establish your legacy in 4 years and a fighters true peak years are on the average in a 4 to 5 year window.
Blessings Breadman! I wanted to get your thoughts on "punching between punches". IMO it requires great timing and I consider it advanced level counterpunching. Very few fighters apply it consistently. And when they do it's usually only with the jab, or a no look overhand right. Crawford is one of the few that comes to mind and applies it consistently with a variety of different punches . What are your thoughts on it? Can you teach how to apply this technique. Should it be taught more? Who are some other fighters that mastered this skill?
Bread’s Response: It’s the hardest thing to do in boxing. I believe it’s a skill that can be enhanced but only a gifted fighter can do it in the first place without getting clipped. You have to have EYES to execute this. Terence Crawford has become a knockout machine because at some point he figured out he can do it. It separates levels of sharpness in a fight. Back in the day when we used to SLAP BOX in the street. The better slap boxers didn’t close their eyes often. Ryan Garcia can do this. And Nonito Donaire is legend because of it. Donaire’s KO of Montiel may be the best example in history of a fighter punching while or in between his opponent’s punches.
What going on Breadman?!?!
Hope all is well with you and yours! Man ..how would a prime Oscar De Hoya do against the current 140-147 pounders Spence, Crawford, Taylor 140, Ramirez 140, Porter, Thurman, Manolo Man ..hearing Vergil Ortiz talk about taking risks is music to all our ears! Enjoy your weekend brother GOD BLESS
Bread’s Response: I love Vergil Ortiz’s mindset. If he waited until he was 25 to fight Spence or Crawford people would say he waited until they got old. He’s asking for the fights now and they are saying he’s too young. You can’t escape the critics in boxing. Let’s just hope he has the same mindset when he’s 30. I’m telling you guys things change. Only 1% of fighters keep that same eager attitude for their entire career. They start as fighters in the business of boxing. They end as businessmen who happen to box. It’s nothing wrong with either, I’m just pointing out that Ortiz is only 22. Most talented 22 year olds think like him.
Oscar is an ATG fighter. He’s competitive and elite in any era from 130-154. Not many fighters in history can say that. I think Manolo is too old for a prime Oscar. I say Oscar.
I like Oscar to stop Thurman. Oscar just too sharp and his jab is too good.
I would take Oscar by decision over Porter in a good fight. Porter is hard to dominate.
The Oscar that fought Chavez at 140 was as good as I have seen him. I think he would beat Ramirez. Just too much firepower.
Josh Taylor is a unique fighter. I think he’s one of those guys who raises his game accordingly. Oscar is more dynamic so it “looks” like he would beat Taylor. But I’m not so sure about that. Let me see more of Taylor before I can determine who would win that fight.
I can’t call Oscar and Crawford. Some days I think Crawford gives up too much early. Gamboa, Lundy, Brook and the Benavidez fights lean me Oscar. But Oscar often times did not make his 2nd adjustment well. Crawford does. I can’t call this one either.
I think Oscar would beat Errol by a split decision in a tough fight. I could be wrong but it seems as though on the eyeball test that Oscar has a decisive handspeed advantage over Errol. Errol also high guards and blocks punches. Which is good defense but it’s hard to counter punch a faster fighter who can run off 5 or 6 shots in a row from that position.
Last but not least Errol doesn’t seem like the Destroyer he was a few years ago. When Errol beat Lamont Peterson I was more than impressed. He was a violent, volume, big puncher. It’s rare to see a volume big puncher. But in all of his harder fights since then vs Porter, Garcia and Garcia. He was more boxer than puncher. I’m not criticizing that part of his game. It’s a good thing to be able to box. I just don’t know if he could outbox Oscar and Errol seems more boxer than puncher these days.
Greetings Breadman,
Hope all well with you and yours. It goes without saying, yours is Saturday must read. My question is regarding the absurdity of how some inept judges score fights. This week the WBA officially placed veteran ring official Carlos Sucre on temporary suspension less than a day after his role as a ringside official for the memorable rematch between Juan Francisco Estrada and ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.
It’s the right call. However, if they can do that, why not overturn the decision and give the rightful winner the win or make it an NC?A loss in boxing can change a boxer’s financial fortunes and mental state.
That’s the same thing as a wrong verdict in court. An appeal can set someone free and literally change his/her life. How can a sanctioning body suspend a judge for an outrageous score yet fail to overturn the suspended judge’s scored verdict? It makes zero sense. Last week you gave us a clue as to who you predict will be a force to reckon with at 147, 154 and maybe 160. When you compared him to Roy Jones (my favorite fighter), I knew immediately who you were talking about. His incredible superior hand-to-eye coordination and instincts reminds me so much of RJJ.
What amazes me about him is how he throws combinations. Not unlike Roy Jones. Those are serious skills in display. Like you, I’m high on Jaron Ennis so I just have one question and maybe my eye test is flawed. I worry that against shorter guys, he crouches a little bit like Paul Williams and I can see him getting caught against a naturally faster southpaw a la Sergio Martinez’s spectacular KO of Paul Williams. Is my eye test off? As good as Ennis is he’s not as quick as RJJ was and he sometimes stays too much in the pocket so he can and will get caught.
Khalid Low
Bread’s Response: I never disclosed that I was talking about Ennis….. I’m also not denying it. Any fighter can be caught and clipped. Ennis is a killer and goes for the KO. Any fighter who does that can be clipped if their opponent is talented or fortunate enough to punch with them. Tommy Hearns, Terry Norris and Roy Jones were all talented gun slingers who at some point got clipped by guys who punched WITH them. It can happen. Will it happen who knows. Let’s see how his career plays out.
As much as I hate bad decisions. I don’t know if we should start going back and changing outcomes unless a judge miscounts his card. I understand that. But scoring a fight is subjective. So I don’t know if you can tell someone their subjective opinion is WRONG. Let me think about it a little more. I just don’t know the right answer.
What's up Breadman, I want to discuss how being knocked out affects a fighter. Obviously being knocked out isn't good for your health. But I've noticed some fighters seem to shrug a knockout off and go on to have a good career, while others seem to go into a downward trajectory. For example, Pacquiao was stopped twice in the earlier portion of his career. But went on to become a legend. Then stopped by Marquez but still competed at the highest level with some good wins afterwards. I understand the physical risk and assume there could be damage that can't be fully healed, but is a rebound from a knockout partly a confidence/mental issue, all about how well you heal from the knockout or a mix of both? Feel free to elaborate on anything I didn't consider and correct me where I'm wrong. As always, thanks for your insight.
Bread’s Response: Great question. Bringing a fighter back from a knockout is not easy but you don’t want to harp on it too much. You want them to recognize why but not dwell on it....I actually try to play into the mental side of things and tell a fighter he just got caught. But we will work our butts off to not let it happen again. Some fighters buy into it. Some don’t.
Usually for some reason when big punchers get KO'd, they don’t respond well.
I also believe it’s a fighter’s mental makeup. A humble, happy go lucky fighter can get KO'd and it means nothing. Roman Gonzalez or Manny Pacquiao come to mind. A real killer. Not a fake killer. Can also still be a killer. Tommy Hearns. Terry Norris. Nigel Benn. Even Mike Tyson. Tyson got KO'd by Douglas and came right back and scored some 1st round KOs.
The last type of fighter you don’t want to get KO'd is a overthinker. He’s going to think himself out of a career. While I do think it can have a physical effect. I think with proper rest and time off. And today you can do hyperbaric therapy to flood the cells with oxygen. The harder part is having people coming down on you after the KO. It’s sort of embarrassing, especially if a fighter was crushed or dominated. It’s not as bad if you were in a great fight and you get stopped.
Fighters put their talents on display for the world to judge. You have to have mental strength to overcome the most decisive thing that can happen in boxing. The knockout. The key words are acceptance and compartmentalize. Time machines are not available yet. So you can’t change the fact that you got KO'd. You have to be mature and learn and apply acceptance. You have to accept what happened.
The last word is compartmentalize. Compartmentalize why you feel you got stopped and do everything in your power to never let it happen again. So many great fighters have been KO'd and went on the turn in special performances. Understand that these casuals and trolls make it a bigger deal than it is. Over 60% of the International Boxing Hall of Fame has been knocked out. It’s not that deep. Get back on your saddle and fight on. That’s when a fighter has to be a fighter. He can’t be an analysis. He can’t be a manager. He can’t be a fan. He has to be a fighter. A real fighter!
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