The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen “Breadman” Edwards tackling topics such as Terence Crawford, Year-End Awards, the recent run by Teofimo Lopez, Errol Spence vs. Keith Thurman, the career of Tim Bradley, and more.
Hey Mr Edwards,
I liked the way you dealt with those who claim Terrence Crawford ducked Errol Spence Jr two mailbags ago. If that doesn’t bury that talk, nothing will. The criticism of Crawford’s resume is not valid, either. What was he supposed to do? Sign up with PBC? I think you answered that one brilliantly a long time ago. Crawford had a presence at Top Rank and was widely respected despite Bob Arum’s subsequent rant. Only a fool walks away from that and becomes just another face in the crowd at PBC.
I can understand boxing fans speaking nonsense about Crawford. To a point, I can live with the trolls, also. Boxing fans and trolls don’t know better most of the time.But I can’t accept Crawford’s peers speaking nonsense. I don’t want to troll fighters because they are in a tough business. However, just who the heck do Teofimo Lopez, Georvanta Davis, Jermell and Jermall Charlo think they are in comparison to Crawford?Lopez could not get past a 9-day wonder from Australia and, over this weekend, was badly exposed by a fighter in Sandor Martin who, although solid, will not make any big waves at championship level and will best be remembered for sharing a city with a famous Spanish football team. Davis must first get a legitimate title and, although I’ve rated him the best at 130-135, that was before Shakur Stevenson moved up. So, it seems to me he’s got a schooling waiting for him and Crawford shouldn’t even enter his thinking.
People remember only the high-reel knockout but feather-fisted and not so skilled Leo Santa Cruz gave him quite a stiff argument before the expected happened. Respect to Mell for what he achieved at 154 but he was gifted a draw in the first fight with Brian Castano and it seems to me instead of being Spence’s cheerleader, he better start thinking what he’s going to do when Crawford puts hands on him. Oh, and could somebody tell him what a knockout artist’s record looks like, please, because his claim in this regard is embarrassing, to say the least. As for Mall, he better tell us what was going through his mind when he suddenly stood and swallowed air when Daniel Jacobs confronted him in a hotel lobby before he shows his face in public, let alone bad-mouth Crawford. Crawford has crushed everyone he’s faced at 147 pounds and he’s not even a career welterweight. People can discredit David Avanesyan all they like but he bounced back nicely from the loss to Mean Machine and claimed the scalps of three undefeated fighters. He also has a victory over an albeit faded Shane Mosley but a win is a win. People speak highly of Spence’s resume which includes Shawn Porter.
While Spence was life and death with Porter, the latter’s father had to pull him out to save him from Crawford. And suddenly Porter was no-good. Really?Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, Yordenis Ugas and Kel Brook are no better than Porter. Crawford does the same thing to them that he did to Porter, which beats anything Spence did to them. I did not think I would ever say this but big props to Spence. I am yet to hear him speak nonsense about Crawford. The same the other way round. Spence knows what’s up. So does Crawford. You know who I got in that fight if it ever gets made.People got to stop saying these guys are ducking each other. They are fighters and champions would fight each other at the drop of a hat. The problem is Al Haymon. People think Crawford is crazy when he says this. Far from it. Think about it. Spence is the flagship in PBC. If, make that when, Crawford beats him, Haymon’s entire fleet looses a lot of shine. He can’t take that. So, what does he do? He plans a duck in full view of everyone. Keep all PBC guys away from Crawford, let them be belt warmers for Spence, get Spence to collect each of those belts when these PBC guys have taken a few pictures with them and then install Spence as an artificial A-side against Crawford. Make Crawford a gutter offer, let the fight fall apart and the duck is on. Only, it’s not Spence ducking. It’s Haymon.
It’s a promotional duck. Crawford is entitled to a big payday in a legacy defining fight. I’m a South African. I live in a country where whites tried to make us into modern day slaves by keeping us away from opportunities. Haymon wants to make Crawford a modern day slave. In this sense he’s worse than apartheid South Africa’s white slave masters. Or even America’s white slave masters. This is so because this is black on black slavery. Don’t glorify it by calling it the business side of boxing. I support Crawford in his career choices. He can only deal with who’s in front of him and you expect no more, no less, from a fighter. Crawford is not a boxing power broker. He’s not a cash cow like Canelo Alvarez. He’s just a great, great fighter. Maybe the greatest fighter since Floyd Mayweather. You say he’s not ATG Mr Edwards. Think again. Why would Rocky Marciano be an ATG when the most notable victories on his resume were men on the wrong side of 30 in an era when 30 was considered old for the sport? Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Jersey Joe Walcott and ancient light-heavyweight, Archie Moore. I have not been to the US so I don’t know the geography. Maybe Crawford was just born on the wrong side of the tracks. If he was a Philadelphian or New Yorker, or maybe if he, like Floyd left Grand Rapids, Michigan, he had also left Omaha, Nebraska, to live, train and fight in Las Vegas, he would be better appreciated.
I’m sorry, for the long email but this is the last time I write in on Terence Crawford until the Spence fight is signed and sealed, anyway, if ever. Let’s just appreciate this guy. He’s probably the only fighter in history who has no controversial victory on his resume. That’s ATG right there.
MM – Sugar Ray Robinson v Terrence Crawford. Just to show my regard for Crawford is not simply blind loyalty, I think he’s in the fight until Robinson’s frightening one punch power turns off the lights. But Robinson can’t come in like the shape he was in for the Randy Turpin fight. Crawford would more than embarrass him like Turpin did. Sugar Ray Robinson v Errol Spence Jr. I think this is a terrible beat down until someone rescues Spence. Spence would never be the same fighter afterwards. Whereas Crawford lives to fight another day after a loss to Robinson, the tough as nails Spence takes punishment that makes him no more than a future gatekeeper. He’s too tough for his own good in the Robinson fight. I seem to recall that you don’t think Spence is overmatched in the Robinson fight. But Spence is so mechanical Robinson would be able to hear him think.
Katlholo
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Bread’s Response: No more long emails. But I wanted to post this. I’ve never been asked about Spence or Crawford vs Sugar Ray Robinson. Robinson is the best the fighter in the history of boxing. I would pick neither against him. At 147lbs so no one else has to ask me. I believe Sugar Ray Leonard of 79-82 would be highly competitive. I believe Tommy Hearns of 1980-81 would be highly competitive. I believe the Roberto Duran that beat Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980 would be highly competitive. I believe Mickey Walker who was able to take punches from heavyweights would be highly competitive. But I don’t pick anyone to beat him at 147lbs.
Carlos Monzon, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Harry Greb, Charley Burley and Dick Tiger would all give him tough nights at 160 but I don’t know if they beat him best night on best night. I would have to see Crawford or Spence fight each other or Boots Ennis to say if they could be competitive with a man who went 128-1-2 from 1940-52 in 6 oz horse hair gloves. That’s a different type of great and it has to be left alone.
I refuse to take sides in this Crawford vs Spence debate on his fault it is that the fight didn’t happen. It’s someone’s fault but we don’t know who because we aren’t in on the meetings. The only thing I will say is that there shouldn’t be a big debate on who’s the A side. I think it’s Errol and it should be pretty clear. Errol has 3 belts and Crawford has 1. Errol has done bigger PPV numbers and bigger live gate numbers. If anyone debates that it’s because they can’t be objective. Crawford is a star and he deserves a large piece of the pie. He deserves some say in the negotiations. But not a bigger piece than Errol. People don’t like the A side vs B side talk but the thing is who makes the larger share of the pie is the main sticking point to any negotiations.
Other than that I think both are great fighters and I hope they make the fight. I like both as people. They both seem like good dudes who love their families. I wish them both the best to make a historical fight and generational wealth but I refuse to get into the debate of who’s fault it is. Terence Crawford is the #1 P4P fighter in boxing. Only Inoue and Usyk can argue his status at this point. I put him #1 until further notice. People can attack his resume all they want. But Crawford’s resume is solid and it’s filled with Ring rated fighters. Just not superstars. But it’s good enough in my opinion to rated #1. I know what my eyes tell me and I know what’s he’s done. Beating fighters in the convincing fashion that he has, is not something to dismiss. I have seen fighters struggle with the same level of fighters Crawford excels against. Crawford is 17-0 with 14 kos in title fights. He’s fought 6 undefeated fighters since he’s been a champion. And 7 ex world champions. He’s beaten them all. His resume is not as bad as “they” make it seem. It’s not great but it’s solid. There are 2 ways you can become an ATG. Stay consistent and have longevity with your performances at the top level. OR have a peak so high that you can’t be denied.
Crawford’s level of consistency is approaching ATG status. At this point I wouldn’t argue with anyone who has him an ATG. In boxing history very few men won the lightweight and welterweight titles. Even fewer have won lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight. Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya and guess who Terence Crawford are the only fighters who are in THAT mix. So if Crawford is an ATG I won’t argue with anyone who says so…..The numbers and accomplishments are piling up.
Greetings and blessings as always sir,
Who is the 2022 fighter of the year, it seems like a strange year due to a lot of guys being inactive. My guess would be Bivol? Maybe Inoue depending oh how his fight plays out. Other than that how are you calling these: Fight of the yearPerformance/ Best win of the year, Knockout, Prospect, Trainer, Upset.
Thank you for your time.
Jack from Detroit
Bread’s Response: Fight of the Year: Fundora vs Lubin
Performance of the Year: Rodriguez vs SSR
Knockout: Plant vs Dirrell
Prospect: Jared Anderson
Trainer: Whoever trains Dmitri Bivol
Upset: Garcia over Colbert. Garcia was a -1400 underdog in that fight.
Fighter of the Year: Dmitri Bivol
G ‘day Bread, Love your insight every week. Do you think boxing would benefit from using Video Assisted Referee VAR such as in the World Cup and how?
Have a great winter break.
Vince from scorching Sydney Oz
Bread’s Response: 100% Yes!
I wanted to bring up two points after the fights tonight. The first point is that Teofimo Lopez is insanely overrated. If we’re being honest, his fight against Lomachenko pitted a natural super lightweight against a featherweight and Lopez barely won. Then Lopez immediately loses to George Kambosas, a guy who has proved himself to be well outside the top level at 135.Now, he has an incredible gift on his record against Sandor Martin, as Martin knocked Lopez down and outboxed him, to be honest. I don’t see a “takeover” happening at 140, I see Regis Prograis beating Lopez to a pulp. The second point is that Errol Spence is taking way too much damage outside of the ring. He got into another serious traffic accident this weekend (wasn’t at fault this time.) Spence has had the same number of car destroying traffic accidents as fights in the last three years. He also had to deal with a retina tear in that time period. At what point do we have to worry about Spence’s body being able to hold up? I think the time is now. I can’t image picking Spence to beat Crawford given Spence’s injury history over the past few years. I would love to hear your takes on both points!
Bread’s Response: Spence was NOT injured in his latest accident from what I read. I think fights should be made faster than later but that’s the fan in me. Spence looked great vs Ugas. Better than he has in years. I feel like him and Crawford should fight next because they aren’t getting any younger. As soon as one shows significant signs of slippage the fight won’t mean as much. But I don’t think this accident was a big deal. It was just an unfortunate accident that per reports was NOT Spence’s fault.
I wish I could hug Teofimo Lopez. Life is bigger than boxing. You can see that the young man is going through mental trauma. Mike Tyson recently said, we aren’t meant to be HUMBLE, we are meant to be HUMBLED. Man that comment was profound. Boxing and life are humbling Teofimo. He can’t resist being humble though. He has to gain wisdom while it’s happening.
I got very sad when I heard him ask someone, does he still have it. But at the same time he became defensive with the announcer when he told Teo that he was getting hit with a right hand. Teo tried to correct him and said Martin was a southpaw and it was a left hand. But Teo was wrong, the shot that dropped him and was troubling him was a sneaky check right hook. You can’t argue if you’re wrong, that’s part of the process of growing.
Life is taxing. Being a great fighter is double the tax. Being great comes with a cost. Teofimo didn’t understand what it cost. Once he beat Loma, he blew his career momentum and now it’s costing him pieces of his career he may or may not ever get back. He turned on Top Rank the company that built him, now that same company has his career in their hands. They can move forward with bigger or tougher fights, or they can slow him down and allow him to rebuild. Let’s see if they really forgive him for leaving….
DISCERNMENT is a spiritual word that Teo has to research and learn. The next few decisions he makes, will literally put his career on the line. I hope the kid comes out of his rut. I don’t want to see him get hurt. His physical ability is fine. He’s still fast and explosive. But boxing is more than that. It’s adjusting with confidence. It’s resisting resistance with confidence. It’s fighting out of your natural style in order to win.
For example Teofimo is not a pressure fighter. He can come forward but what he is, is a explosive boxer puncher who actually favors the shoulder roll stance. So a stick and moving southpaw boxer, is a serious task for him in his natural style. He didn’t lack ability vs Martin. He lacked the adjustments to cut the ring off or raise his volume to dominate Martin. That’s why he struggled in the fight.
I don’t think Teofimo is overrated. He beat Loma when Loma was #1 P4P. He was a unified champion. He has some great highlight reel kos. He was in the top 10 P4P. I think what we are seeing is the residual effects of not handling a big win well, personal issues and losing to George Kambosos all take influence over him at the same time.
I’ve been through a state or energy of confusion around fighters. I’ve been through stuff in real life that make you question everything. But Teo needs to trust a mentor and take inventory of his life. When I say inventory, see who was around for the good and bad and what rolls they played.
Again I wish the kid the best but this is a serious issue. I had a friend who was going through some stuff. I gave him some of the best advice I ever gain anyone. I told him to take inventory of not only who was in his life during good and bad times. But take inventory of what he did to get to those good and bad times. That’s going to tell him how and when to move. Teo has to do the same and it will guide him back to the spot he was in Pre Loma.
I’m officially now rooting for Team Lopez. I don’t like to see people get kicked while they are down and Teo is down now. I wish him the best in life most of all. Boxing is secondary at this point.
Hey Bread,
Thanks for putting out a stellar mailbag. And props to Boxing Scene for their part in it. It’s an enjoyable and educational read every Saturday. A couple questions and follow-up questions for you:Do you know if PBC is having $ issues? I thought you might have addressed this recently, but I searched for it and came up empty. If you can’t answer due to the nature of your relationship with them, I get it. Or, maybe another way to phrase the question: Based on previous years, shouldn’t PBC have more upcoming fights scheduled by now? Is that the real reason Crawford-Spence hasn’t gotten made? I hope everything is cool because they have a lot of great fighters on their roster and I miss seeing them in action. ESPN and DAZN are putting out content pretty regularly, though some of the matchups leave a lot to be desired. I know you don’t like to talk too much about fights that aren’t actually scheduled, but can you speak to how you see a potential Spence-Thurman fight playing out, even if only briefly? I’ve been a Thurman fan for a long time and I’m well aware of his inactivity, injuries, age, etc., but if he’s healthy I feel like there are some good reasons to think he could upset Spence. Am I dreaming? I only discovered your mailbag a couple years ago and Keith has been inactive for most of that time. On the occasions you did write about Keith I felt like you were pretty down on him. Maybe too much. But, with the way you assessed him before and after the Barrios fight I think I was wrong. After all, I’ve read enough of your mailbags now to see you’re fair; you simply tell it like you see it. Was I wrong?
Thanks for your time.-Scott, ABQ
Bread’s Response: I was very impressed with Keith Thurman in his fight vs Mario Barrios. He showed zero signs of ring rust and he gave Barrios a bad beating. It wasn’t so much that I was down on Thurman, I just think Spence is a bad style for him. Thurman has good legs, but he’s not an efficient mover. Thurman also has trouble taking body punches. So Spence who is taller and longer, would put real pressure on Thurman. Then he would hit his body continuously. Thurman would have to figure out a way to control Spence without a commanding jab to keep himself from being snowballed. It’s an awfully tough fight stylistically. It’s not that Thurman can’t win. It’s just that I favor Errol big in this fight.
Other than that I think Thurman is an excellent fighter. I thought he was on his way to a HOF career after he beat Porter and Garcia. He had 2 belts in boxing’s biggest division, he was undefeated and in his prime and then he became inactive and starting taking off. Although he looked great vs Marion Barrios, I can’t but to help think Thurman left his prime on the calendar. He fought 3x since he defeated Garcia in March of 2017. He was 29 years old. That’s over 5 years. Imagine what his legacy could be if he just fought 2x a year since 2017. That’s 7 more fights! We would know what Thurman is in terms of being a HOF. I’m not going to say it’s a shame but as a fan I think it’s unfortunate because of how well he was doing in his career.
Hello Bread,
The average age of Rings P4P List is 32.8. I do believe they take too long to move fighters in and out of their list, but it’s still make me ask the question…With sport science, cleaner lifestyles and less activity, is it possible that the modern fighter is in their prime into their mid thirties?Having seen fighters like Floyd, Hopkins and Wlad and looking at guys like Usyk and Crawford I think this may be the case. What do you think? Is there any other factors, other than generics, that could support a modern fighters prime lasting longer.
Bread’s Response: I think sports science and RECOVERY have improved to a point where athletes can train harder and recover better so therefore they become more athletic. It also allows more longevity. But and this is a big but, but the advancements in sports science also coincided with more belts being available, fighters taking softer fights and most of all fighting LESS.
See the less amount of fights we have to take into consideration. Strong consideration. So now we see guys last longer because of all of this. Fighters are now using the actual TIME they are champions as staking their claims instead how many title defenses they have. They may average 1 title defense/year and be champion for 6 years but only make 6 defenses.
But a guy like Sal Sanchez had 9 title defenses from 1980-82. So the longevity that’s shown can also be an illusion. Matchmaking is also the key to the longevity. Here is how. The more a fighter fights the more he wins or loses. If he wins, he clears out the field of opponents. If the GOAL is to duck certain opponents, you won’t see a fighter scream to be active because at some point the opponent that they want to avoid will be the only man standing. So we have to also look close at the activity. It’s a lot more to this current longevity than meets the eye. I would like to see top fighters, fight 3/year vs mostly elite fighters and still fight at a top level into their mid to late 30s…..
What’s up Bread?
In light of Tank Davis’ recent tweet dissing Tim Bradley after Bradley’s induction into the Hall of Fame, who wins at 140? (Assuming that Tank is at his absolute peak right now)And best wishes as you prepare Caleb Plant to face David Benavidez
Peace, William in West Palm Beach
Bread’s Response: Tim Bradley had an excellent career. He may not have been the best of his era but he was AMONG the best. Bradley lost only 2 fights to an ATG fighter in Manny Pacquioa.
He beat Juan Manuel Marquez, Brandon Rios, Jesse Vargas, Ruslan Provodnikov, Joel Casamayor, Devon Alexander, Carlos Abregu, Lamont Peterson, Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Junior Wiitter and Miguel Vazquez. Bradley only has 36 career fights and about half of them were vs either world champions, top contenders are undefeated fighters.
In boxing if we don’t like someone we often criticize them. Maybe Tank doesn’t like Bradley, I don’t know. But I don’t get into that, I’ve never met either of them before. But I just respect everyone who has earned it. No one should have anything to say about Bradley’s accomplishments or who he fought. He fought a killer schedule, he won titles in 2 divisions and he unified at 140lbs.
I will say this. I have heard Tim be a little harsh as a commentator at times, where as his counterpart Andre Ward is more RESERVED in his observations. But maybe that’s just Tim’s style…I can’t say because I’ve never been around him in a personal setting. So maybe Tank has an issue with something Tim said about him. But we have to separate that because as a fighter, Tim fought a rough schedule and more often than not, he WON.
As for who would win in a fight at 140lbs. I have no idea because I haven’t seen Tank in with someone on Bradley’s level yet. I never forget Andre Ward was asked who his toughest fight was. He said Tim Bradley in the amateurs was an animal and he pushed him to the brink. I always remembered Ward’s praise of Bradley. Ward may be reserved but he is a very honest guy.
Sup Bread,
So I’ve read that it was indeed Bud Crawford that walked away from the Spence negotiations for the 10M guarantee to fight Avanesyan. It is what it is I guess. Here’s my question: If you’re Spence, would you even trust Bud enough to entertain a negotiation period with him again? Bud walking away basically forced Spence into giving Thurman a payday that Spence obviously didn’t want to give him. It just feels like there was a serious breach of professional trust there.Lance.
Bread’s Response: Good question. But maybe walking away from a negotiation sets boundaries as far as letting your counterparts know you aren’t to be played with. Maybe it stops the prolonging process. So it can go either way. I have no idea how Spence feels but my hunch if there is a next time, it won’t be dragged out. They will get it done quickly.
What’s up Bread?
Can you think of any instances where a fighter tried to surprise his opponent and it backfired? For example, many people say Marvelous Marvin Hagler (RIP) made a grave mistake by boxing orthodox in the first few rounds against Sugar Ray Leonard. If so, what are your top three besides that particular fight?
Peace, William in West Palm
Bread’s Response: SSR changed stances vs Estrada and it backfired. I can’t think of many off the top of my head because boxing is fluid. Styles change within a fight. But I think there is a myth that Hagler stayed orthodox for 4 rounds. He didn’t. He changed to southpaw in the 2nd and 3rd. He just couldn’t find his rhythm until the 5th. But Hagler spoiled everyone with the Hearns fight but his style was more patient than that on the norm.
Hey Breadman,
Got two for you today:1. What are your thoughts on Teofimo Lopez and his latest performance? I heard him ask his team after the fight “do I still got it?” Referring to his top level talent. Without being in his camp I couldn’t speak on what may be going on, but to me it seems like he may be in a rut of sorts. What could some possible solutions to break out of a boxing rut? 2. NIL+transfer portal. Not sure how familiar you are with it, but it has flipped NCAA athletics upside down. Players benefit financially, some schools benefit with better talent, and some schools suffer with their talent leaving. Being a diehard fan of a school who doesn’t possess the vast wealth of bigger state schools leaves my school vulnerable to have players poached. The school is top 20 all time in wins football and basketball, but they lose their top talent left and right because they can’t afford to keep them via rich NIL deals. Players deserve and should get paid, but college athletics is the Wild West anymore. Pro sports have checks/balances. Can the NCAA get their stuff in order?! Stuff is mind blowing to me! I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject if you have some knowledge of it.
Thanks Bread.
Mark Stoy Columbus Ohio
Bread’s Response: Teo has to get back to having FUN. He doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself while fighting. Fighters fight best when they are having fun and being successful. Teo needs a mentor he can trust. He needs to be loved. Love can heal hurt. If I knew the kid I would hug him. I would take him out to dinner and we would just talk about life and what makes him happy. Then in the ring he needs to win a fight in an impressive fashion. He needs to get his mojo back. He needs his swag back. It’s not lost forever but it will take some work because you’re correct he’s in a rut.
I felt like Julian Williams was in a rut after he lost to Jermall Charlo. 3 fights in, he got out of it vs Nathaniel Gallimore. It wasn’t so much a great performance but Gallimore was the slight favorite and Williams needed the fight to get another title shot. His swag changed after he won that one. Teo may have to take a fight he’s not supposed to win, just so all he has to do is win and not so much win impressively, I’m not sure, or maybe he gets a guy in front of him he can obliterate. This is a tricky game and fighters get their confidence back several different ways.
I don’t know enough about NIL deals but I’m currently researching them because I have an 11 year old daughter who is currently #1 in the country in the 400M. She’s broken every CYO record in our area in the 100, 200 and 400. And nationally she’s the 2x defending champion in the 400M. When I find out everything I need to know, I will let you know.
I think the NCAA has always been the Wild, Wild West. But now the lawlessness just favors the players more….
Hi Bread,
I’m one of your biggest fan and your name is like respectable by any publication. Your mind I will consider up there with Bert sugar, max kellerman, dougie fischer. You 4 are considered as Mt Rushmore in Boxing analysis. I just have few questions. 1. If they are all at the same size. Who do you think will won. Between the current P4P fighter inoue, Crawford, fury,canelo,usyk,Spence? 2. If Jake paul will fight manny Pacquiao in 2 months now in an exhibition match? And you need to bet your house, who will you choose. 3. Lightweights right now i think is the deepest division. It reminds me of the 2000 eras of lightweight so i will ask you about mythical match up in their prime. 1. Jose luis castillo VS Devin haney 2. Joel cassamayor VS Shakur 3. Diego corrales VS Ryan Garcia4. Edwin Valero vs Tank Davis 5. Acelino Freitas Vs. Teofimo lopez More Mythical match up. 1. Tito Trinidad vs Errol spence 2. Aaron Pryor vs Bud Crawford 3. Peime Lara vs Floyd mayweather at 154?4. James Toney vs canelo at 168?More Power. Edelyn Who do you think is the more exciting fights or match you can interchange?
Edelyn Seso
Bread’s Response: Thank you.
1. Basically you’re asking who’s the best P4P by imagining if they were all the same size asking who would win. I really don’t know because I have to see more of them. None have quite faced anyone on their level yet. They have been fighting the level below them so it’s hard to imagine. Great question.
Out of all of the guys you named at this moment I think they have all proved different things. Fury has proven he can handle a huge puncher. Canelo has proven he can keep his defense while evolving into a pressure fighter. Usyk has proven elite stamina and discipline vs Joshua. Inoue has proven to be the most destructive puncher. Crawford has proven to be the most destructive adjuster and finisher. Spence has proven to be a super conditioned physical dynamo, with elite determination. Ask me this question next year.
2. I can’t answer Jake Paul vs Manny Pacquiao. Pacman is 44 years old and he’s tiny. Paul is not as good but he’s almost 20 years younger and 40lbs bigger. I don’t even want to imagine how this fights goes.
3. I honestly haven’t seen these guys in enough championship level fights to say for the exception of Loma and you didn’t name him so….
1. Tito vs Spence I would go with Tito in a thriller. Tito gets a bad rap for the Bhop and Winky fights. But they were at 160lbs and for Winky he just wasn’t Tito. Prime Tito from say 95-01 was rough bro. Let’s say the one that kod Zulu or Barnes, I’m just not sure if Spence can block and parry those type of heavy shots and walk Tito down. It’s a great fight and I have mad respect for Spence but Tito of the mid to late 90s was different. Throw the Oscar fight out because Spence is not going to stick and move and bounce like Oscar.
Pryor vs Crawford is interesting. It appears that Bud would clip Pryor because Pryor seems so open to being kod. But Bud gets hit easier than say his brethren of Mayweather and Whitaker. And if Pryor is consistently hitting you, he can make you dizzy. So I slightly lean Crawford but I’m not convinced.
Lara vs Floyd at 154 would be a toss up in my opinion. I think Floyd is better P4P but at 154 that’s a tough fight for him because Lara would make him lead and he would challenge Floyd would that strong left hand. I don’t know who wins that at 154lbs because I don’t know if Floyd would be able to walk him down and outpoint him. Great match up, I’ve never been asked this one before but as I sit and write I still don’t know who wins, while I know Floyd is the better fighter. Weird right.
Toney over Canelo at 168lbs. Canelo is not going to walk Toney down and break him. Toney is just as tough. Just as strong. Just as mean. Just as slippery. But he punches better and smoother in combination and Toney is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen from 10-12. So Toney by decision in a great fight.
Assalaam alaykum Mr Edwards,
Naoya Inoue is the best boxer on the planet. I know that Paul Butler is not rated as highly at bantamweight as others, but the Monster has already knocked all those “others” out as well. I cannot imagine another fighter dominating the toughest challengers at his weight as CLEARLY as Inoue. I’m not going to quibble or hold it against anyone who has Crawford (who’s come closest to doing what I just described) or Usyk at number 1, they’re all worthy. But Inoue is in his PRIME and his best days are likely still in front of him. Butler was as hard as a nail and determined to hang in the fight as long as he could and Inoue still just chopped him down and knocked him out. Thank you for everything you do for the sport. Thank you for taking these emails and always responding professionally and with insight and wisdom. Allah bless you and your family and your fighters.
Peace, John
Bread’s Response: I have Crawford #1 but in fairness I wouldn’t argue with anyone who has Inoue or Usyk #1. Usyk gives up 20+ at heavyweight and he still comes through for the money. On top of that he unified at Cruiserweight. Inoue is 18-0 in title fights with 16kos. That’s simply ridiculous. He’s never been held close except for the 1st Nonito Donaire fight in which he showed versatility. Inoue is the most dominant fighter in the world as far as clear cut outcomes and winning rounds. But this comes down to something for me. The Bell Curve. I respect smaller fighters. Their skills and fitness are at least on par with bigger fighters. I consider 126lbs on down to be smaller ranges. From 130-175 the middle ranges. And obviously anything higher the larger range. Because there are more people Terence Crawford’s size than there are Inoue’s size, I feel like that his competition pool is just larger.
I don’t know if Crawford is better than Inoue. In fact my eyeballs tell me that Inoue is the more dynamic athlete. But watching them within days of each other, I think Crawford may be slightly better at applying his skill. His skill set relies more on his mental game than his physical game. I don’t want to nitpick Inoue because he’s great but Crawford is just smidge better to me but that could change because while Crawford seems slightly more skilled, he’s also easier to hit and easier to hurt. It’s very close but for this exact moment I’m just more comfortable saying Crawford is the best. But this is fluid. If Usyk beats Fury and gives up 40lbs it’s hard to say he’s not the best. And if Inoue beats Fulton at 122lbs as convincingly as he beat everyone at 118lbs it would be hard to against that.
Bread -Just finished watching Monster Inoue unify the Bantamweight belts with his stoppage of Paul Butler. Needless to say, not a surprise and now all the talk will be of an inevitable move to Jr. Featherweight and a mouth-watering showdown with Stephen Fulton Jr. And while I agree that this is a great match-up, it seems to indicate that Fulton is currently the best Jr. Featherweight in the world. He may very well be, but I wouldn’t so quickly dismiss the other unified champion in the division, Murodjon Akhmadaliev. I see a fight between Fulton and Akhmadaliev as 50/50 at this point. Fulton is a great boxer, with underrated toughness and a high boxing IQ. But, I see some attributes in Akhmadaliev that would trouble Fulton – he seems like a physically strong 122 lber that can punch, is a southpaw and is very awkward. Would be interesting to see how Fulton would deal with him (I tend to think of Maidana v Mayweather when sizing up this match-up). What do you think of Akhmadaliev as a fighter and how would you handicap a potential unification clash with Stephen Fulton, Jr.? I think it has the makings of a great, great fight.
Reid – Atlanta, GA
Bread’s Response: I think MK is an excellent fighter, I could be wrong but I don’t think he’s 50/50 with Fulton. I think Fulton is 60/40 or 65/35 with him. Fulton may be able to do too much for MK. Figueroa is tall and long and he sort of engulfs you in his volume. I don’t believe MK has Figueroa’s physicality. On top of that I think Fulton will be better because of the Figueroa fight. But fights are won in the ring not on paper or by speculation. As of right now, give me Fulton clearly over MK.
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