The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen “Breadman” Edwards tackling topics such as Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, super middleweight contender David Morrell, Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda, and more.
Good morning Mr. Edwards, I hope this email finds you well. I wrote to you a couple of years ago, about the same subject I write today. My question is simple, what’s your opinion of David Morell Jr? And if you have seen others defectors from Cuba with talent enough to carve a name for themselves, in our beloved sport. I think Yoelvis Gomez, Kevin Brown, Ariel Perez, Sanchez, Bruzon and Pero, are going to make some noise. Although is bunch of kids that defected in Dubai, but I don’t know much about them.
Be safe and Happy Thanksgiving
Bread’s Response: I like David Morell. He seems to have all of the tools to be a top tier fighter. Size, athleticism, skill, great trainer, great resources within his team and God given talent. I also like Andy Cruz. He seems like a world champion in the making but obviously we have to see how he adapts to the pros. I’m also high on Robeisy Ramirez. He may have started out slow but he’s hitting his stride at the moment.
Ssup Bread, Kudos to the young kids. They truly made it happen. I don’t even know what to say about Spence and Crawford. It’s a disgrace. Anyway, I was looking at a video that Ryan Garcia posted with SRL. Damn, is SRL sick? Cause Garcia looked bigger than SRL. He is huge by 140 lbs standard. Don’t even know how he will make 136 lbs for the Tank fight. I have noticed that even Shakur and Devin look huge for 135. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when I watch old SRL fights at 147 and Floyd fights at the same weight class, SRL looked skinnier than Floyd and Floyd never rehydrated to more than 150-151 lbs on fight night. Is it all due to the end of same day weigh in or is there more to it?
Recently in MMA, Israel Adesanya got knocked out by Alex Pereira. Rumor is, Pereira rehydrated to 220 lbs after weighing in at 185. 185 lbs is the middleweight limit in MMA. I have heard that sooner or later the weight cut becomes so difficult that it becomes a major disadvantage and hence it all evens out. Having said that, some guys are smart about it and do not wait around for that moment to come and move up the moment they think that the weight cut will make them severely compromised. Basically, they take full advantage of being a weight bully till they safely can. Do you think that the time has come for a 10 lbs rehydration limit? A welterweight cannot enter the ring weighing more than 157 lbs. So on and so forth. I guess, for lower weight classes, the limit can be reduced to 5-7 lbs.What is your prediction for Tank vs Garcia?
Regards, Saurabh
Bread’s Response: Sugar Ray Leonard is 66 years old. As you get older, the space in between your vertebras shrink. You’re muscle mass dissipates. I’ve also noticed he has bad posture. Sometimes he looks taller, other times he’s smaller. If you watch his fights with Duran he looked tall. But then if you watch him vs Camacho he looked small. Some people are just like that. You have realize that fighters in the 70s and 80s didn’t lift weights. They didn’t rehydrate as high because getting rehydration advantages weren’t a thing in the 70s and 80s. They also didn’t have modern recovery as far as putting weight back on, which is a big deal in this era. I read a book on Ray Leonard and he said after his weigh in, in his first fight with Duran. He drank red kool aide and ate fried chicken and mashed potatoes. So he just fought in a different time. I think at his peak height he was somewhere between 5’9-5’10. And he had the perfect body in terms of fast twitch and endurance muscles. Look at his body at the Hearns 1 weigh in. Perfecto for a 15 round, 147lbs fighter. One more thing. Angelo Dundee didn’t believe in any weights at all. He liked heavy bag work, speed bag, skip rope, sparring and running forward and back wards. In those times medicine ball and wood chopping was their Strength and Conditioning. So the bodies looked different. Also fighters today fight in HD TV. So you have to take everything in consideration.
Rehydration is rehydration. As long as sports science keeps advancing, fighters will figure out ways to get advantages. It’s why teams have to educate themselves constantly to stay up on sports advancements.
Tank vs Garcia is going to be a modern shootout. McClellan vs Jackson, Hagler vs Hearns, McCallum vs Curry and Pacquiao vs Marquez. Elite level sharp punchers, bad blood, undefeated, clash of styles. Body types. Three things intrigue me. Two of them concern Garcia, one Davis. For Garcia, I wonder about his durability and defensive responsibility. He can be hit clean. The way he lines up his opponents, his head is up and his eyes are locked in on the target. I’m not sure if he can do anything about that. I wonder about his durability not because he got dropped. Anyone can be dropped. But because of how he takes a punch. When your head is up in the air, your chin is taking the shot. When you’re in a better position, with your head down in your traps, eyes up, hands up and down in your legs. Your whole body absorbs the punch. The way Ryan stands, just his head takes the shot. It’s not how you want to take a shot.
As for Tank, because being a patient counter puncher has worked for him. I wonder if he would be willing to go after Garcia and press the fight if he were losing in terms of winning rounds. Garcia is powerful and he has a nice reach advantage. Tank would have to be really mentally engaged to start walking through that fire. It’s one thing to clip a fighter and hurt him with 1 shot. It’s different to grind it out, if you’re losing with the style most comfortable for you. Garcia is a real puncher. I’m curious to see what Tank is willing to take in order to get to Garcia if he can’t clip him. Right now I give Tank a slight edge. But with the right gameplan Ryan can win.
Hey Bread,
Happy holidays to you and yours. So if Crawford is fighting Avanesyan, Spence is likely fighting Thurman, and Ortiz is likely fighting Stanionis, I found myself wondering who made sense as Jaron Ennis’ next opponent. Assuming he’s recovered from his fractured orbital bone the name I keep coming back to is Yordenis Ugas. Connor Benn would also be a good matchup, but that seems far less likely to happen for various reasons, and no one else at welterweight really moves the needle (assuming Danny Garcia can’t be lured back down to welterweight). How likely do you think this fight is? Who should Ennis fight next if this fight can’t be made?Like everyone else, I was hoping for Crawford-Spence, but these are some good matchups at welterweight to kick off the year that will hopefully bring more clarity to the division. Even Avanesyan is ranked in the Ring’s top 10, so while I expect a Crawford victory, it should at least keep him sharp for bigger fights down the road. It would be a shame if Ennis has to settle for fighting a stiff in the meantime …
Bread’s Response: Radzhab Butaev is a good fight for Boots. Butaev is in the Ring top 10. He has just one competitive loss and he just fought on a PBC card vs Stanious. That’s a logical real fight for Ennis. The fights you named are not realistic at this point.
What’s up Bread!
First of all thank you for the weekly mailbag. When you name historical fights to watch and arm us with your perspective, it makes me view boxing in a whole new light. Just like how you shouldn’t comment on world events without being fully in the know, I feel like you shouldn’t comment on boxing without hearing what the Breadman has to say! My question today has to do with the GREAT Cuban fighters. I am a big baseball fan as a well, and it is no secret that guys like Jose Abreu, Yoenis Cespedes, or Yuli Gurriel arrive in the USA either during or past their primes. The same can be said about boxing – so many decorated amateurs that simply arrive on the scene too late to gain a big national following.
Those from more privileged places may not know how brutal it can be to defect from Cuba. And those that are old enough may even have a natural hatred for Cuba. And since Cuban fighters are so well schooled in the amateur ranks, their fighting style doesn’t necessarily translate to a fan-friendly pro environment.The two fighters that I want to ask you about are: Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara.1) How do you see a fight going between the version of Rigondeaux who beat Donaire versus the version of Lomachenko who lost to Salido?2) How did you score the Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara fight? Why does Lara always seem to be receiving SD’s, MD’s or straight up robberies?
Thanks so much!
Kevin K.St. Louis, MO
Bread’s Response: I can’t call Rigo vs Loma because I can’t tell if Loma is a bad style for him or just too big. If he’s a bad style then he would’ve beaten him. If he was too big then Rigo fought him at the wrong time. My guess is that Loma may have always been a little too big for him even thought they were just 1 division apart at 122 and 126.
I thought Lara beat Paul Williams. I think Lara is a great fighter. A great fighter but what kills his scorecards is he doesn’t have a commanding jab. With a commanding jab, the judges would have been more kind to him. Like say Pernell Whitaker. Lara at times gave up too much ground and gave the appearance he was being outhustled because he shelled when fighters got close, instead of putting a stick on them. This one flaw I believe cost him the HOF. If Lara wins those 3 draws and 3 losses, he’s the best 154 of his era and an easy HOF.
Does Sandor Martin deserve to be top 10 p4p if he beats Teofimo Lopez? I think he definitely does if he gets that win. A win against Lopez combined with his win over Mikey Garcia would make Martin’s resume as strong as anyone in the bottom rung of that p4p list, even without a title belt.
I would love to hear your take.
Bread’s Response: I don’t think so at the moment but let’s see him beat Teofimo first. And let’s see how he performs.
Hey Bread,
Interested to know your take on something. I was looking through Roberto Duran’s record after his comment about why Canelo should have taken an immediate rematch against Bivol. I noticed that in the 70s Duran would follow up a winning title fight quickly with additional non-title bouts against less well-known opponents with few fights or losing records. Sometimes he would take two or three of these fights within a four-month period after or before a Lightweight title fight. Was this to stay sharp between big fights, or to earn a bit of extra cash? In your opinion would this approach add any value to the careers of successful modern-day fighters? If so, why might it help them, and if not, what would be the drawbacks?
Regards Mark S
Bread’s Response: I think Duran took non title fights because it was the custom of the time. It helps you stay sharp without having long grinding camps and it helps you stay close to the weight. In this era it wouldn’t work because the money is different and it seems to get forbidden by the big bosses.
It always helps a fighter to stay sharp. Anything involving skill, requires repetition. So fighting often is good as long as you aren’t fighting killer after killer. But again, I think the economics are different today.
Ryan vs Tank, Tank vs Ryan… Tank’s January fight against Hector Luis Garcia isn’t a soft tune up by any means. Why do you think they chose the Dominican Garcia? Do you think his style Can help prepare tank for Ryan? What about Ryan? Who would you choose as an opponent for Ryan to get ready for Tank? Let’s say Crawford and Spence signed to fight in the summer and were both taking a stay busy fight in the early spring.. mandatories aside, who would you recommend as an opponent for Crawford and Spence to prepare for against each other? PS- that piece in the last mailbag about Duran gave me chills. That promoter hat looks good on you bread lol-
Mike Las Vegas, NV
Bread’s Response: Hector Garcia is a tough fight. He’s tall, he has pedigree and he’s riding high. I think they chose him because he just came off of a big win vs Chris Colbert. Not so much ebcause he fights like Ryan because Ryan is orthodox.
If I’m Ryan I fight a short left handed fighter. But not someone who is a big puncher because you don’t want to jeopardize the big fight.
I don’t recommend Errol and Terence fight anyone else. It’s the biggest fight in boxing. Don’t chance it. If they do, they do. But here is the thing. When you have a big fight lined up, you try to get a B rated version of the style you’re facing in the tune up. The closest thing to Crawford is Boots Ennis. Who in the heck would fight him in a tune up? No one like Spence currently that I think of. So…
Hi Bread,
I have 2 short questions1) Who are your top 5 fighters whose non-traditional/poor boxing attributes actually became an advantage? Someone like Joe Joyce, who’s slower hand speed I think throws off his opponents timing and allows him to be more successful than you would think.2) Who are your top fighters with strange and unorthodox fighting styles? An example from the top of my head is Vic Darchinyan. Enjoy the discussions and best wishes
Bread’s Response: Both questions are sort of the same…..Gene Fulmer fought out of a crouch and he telegraphed his right hand. But he rarely lost and he was a legitimate great fighter. Nicolinno Locche fought squared up, he didn’t throw many punches. He kept his hands down. But he’s one of the best 140lbs ever. Naseem Hamed also fought with his hands down. He jumped off of his feet to land shots. His balance was great and poor at the same time. But he lost one fight and had about 15 title defenses. Michael Spinks did not appear to be a great fighter. He crossed his feet. His body posture was poor. But he may be the best light heavyweight ever and was one of the best fighters of the 1980s
Hi Bread,
I have Prograis over everyone at 140. He was even with peak Taylor on his best night then we forgot about him. His last performances have not dropped and he seems to put as much work wether he faces a world champ or an obscure fighter. Smart and very complete. Chin and punch. Offense and defense. Who would be a favorite at 140 lbs against him? Ortiz up at 154 vs Charlo, Tszyu, Hammer? Ennis (now) 154 – Canelo (2016, Smith)
Best, Diego
Bread’s Response: I agree. I think Regis Prograis is the truth. The issue is inactivity but I haven’t seen any ring rust in him. I wouldn’t make anyone the favorite over him at 140lbs to be honest except the fighter who beat him in Josh Taylor and if Taylor looks bad in one more fight then I wouldn’t make him the favorite either. Prograis has an interesting mix of skills and talent. His only weakness from what I have seen is sometimes, he does too much to avoid punches. He slips and slides and does a lot of stuff and with his strength and reflexes he doesn’t have to do that. He puts himself out of position at times. Zepeda has a high IQ and he’s a very sharp puncher. I like Prograis in this fight to win but that is Zepeda’s shot. Prograis doing too much to avoid a shot and not being in position to counter and Zepeda capitalizing either with one big shot or finding a groove to box.
Hello Breadman,
The welterweight division is loaded but in limbo . I think Boots Ennis is getting frozen out . I think his biggest problem is his management isn’t linked with the big time promoters . He needs promotion or management to get the buzz going and get him out front . He is not being marketed correctly . He has no leverage or push . And no one wants to fight him. This can go on and on . Mandatories are not enforced . Spence has not fought one in four years, since Ocampo . I saw Bozy Ennis say they fought only once this year because of Spence Crawford . Why put your career on hold for these two .
Why not stay busy and earn and clip some people off . Then there are fighters like Ortiz that are given a number one and will not exercise it . And they still leave them number one , does not make sense . Boots is twenty five years old and he fought two rounds in 2022 . Just a prime year wasted . As a fight fan I am impatient , but this could be a career ender . Would it not be better for him to go now to one fifty four and fight Jermell Charlo . The way it looks now he may be thirty before he gets his shot at WW . Just think if this happened to Sugar Ray Leonard . His team got him the fights .
Thank You
J.B.
Bread’s Response: I can remember as a kid I had a favorite TV show. As I remember correctly I loved the Cosby Show. When it didn’t come on, I felt a big void on Thursday night. But there was a big anticipation for me as Thursday night came around. It came on weekly and I couldn’t imagine watching it just once a month. If it came on once a year it would have driven me insane. For Boots Ennis fans him fighting just once all in 2022, has to drive them to anxiety.
I think Cameron Dunkin is one of the best managers in boxing history. But I don’t know much else he could do to move Boots besides sign with a BOSS. We know who they are without naming them. I don’t want to advocate for anyone, it’s not fair to Ennis and his team. But just from my logical and business perspective, here is the issue.
If Boots is not part of your DIRECT stable, why give him a shot and turn him into a SUPERSTAR if it doesn’t directly benefit you. He’s just 25. He’s in boxing’s most lucrative division. If he gets a shot now and wins, he has to chance to rule boxing for a decade. And they know he has a real chance to win.
So the Powers in Place have a way of putting you in your place without TELLING you they are putting you in your place. From my perspective and this is just my perspective, they’re showing Boots this without telling him. His team has to figure it out. Boots may be the best fighter in the world and no one will know for sure if he doesn’t get a chance to fight elite fighters.
For example….Regis Prograis and Charles Conwell are both dangerous fighters also. Neither in my opinion is as talented as Boots. But both have got boxed out somewhat in my opinion, because they don’t have a DIRECT CONNECT to the CONNECT. It may sound like a riddle, but those who know, know.
I don’t think Boots should have to move out of one of the original 8 divisions at welterweight if he can still make the weight to get a title shot. Who’s to say he can jump the line at 154lbs? He may have the same issues there. I think his team has do what’s necessary to get him a title shot in 2023. Boots is doing his job by winning and looking spectacular. It’s now up to them to deliver the opportunity.
Breadman
Naoya Inoue is fighting Paul Butler and Butler was interviewed about the fight. He made an interesting comment which I think has some merit which I am copying in this note to you. I agree with him as far as there is not current “the man” in any of the divisions with the possible exception of the guy he is fighting. It was always good to have “the man” in a boxing division who would have to be taken down in order for a “new man” to take over. I know it is harder today in terms of arriving at who is the man in each of the division (17) due to number of belts politics promoters etc etc. Butler’s comments: He said: “It is the toughest task in boxing. I have said it to everyone. My dad said it to me about six or seven weeks ago. This is the toughest task in boxing. “You look around at the divisions, there are question marks over everyone in terms of who is the best, but Inoue stands out in the bantamweight division. “I don’t think anyone out there is saying so and so will beat Inoue at bantamweight. It is the toughest task in boxing, but it is something that I have signed up for. Using your knowledge can you come up with a list of who you think is the leading “man” in each division and do you have any of these fighters as no doubt clear cut number 1’s.
As always appreciate you time and effort.
Sincerely, Rich Mathews
Bread’s Response: Heavyweight: Tyson Fury if he’s not retired
Cruiserweight: Not clear cut
Lightheavyweight: Bivol and Beterbiev have to settle it
Super Middleweight: Canelo
Middleweight: Not clear cut
Junior Middleweight: Jermell Charlo
Welterweight: Spence and Crawford have to settle it.
Juniorwelterweight: Josh Taylor but he can’t struggle again to a debatable decision
Lightweight: Devin Haney
Junior Lightweight: Not clear cut
Featherweight: Navarrete and Vargas have to settle it.
Junior Featherweight: Fulton and MK have to settle it.
Bantamweight: Monster Inoue
Junior Bantamweight: Estrada and Chocolatito have to figure it out but Ioka is lurking
Flyweight: Not clear cut
Junior Flyweight: Kenshiro Teraji
Strawweight: Not clear cut
Send Questions to dabreadman25@hotmail.com