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The Daily Bread Mailbag returns with Stephen “Breadman” Edwards tackling topics such as Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas, Nakathila’s vicious stoppage of Miguel Berchelt, Leigh Wood’s spectacular win over Michael Conlan, Canelo vs. Golovkin trilogy, and more.
I got a weird one for ya. What was the best question you ever received from the mailbag?
Bread’s Response: Um…..I’ve had about 5-10 questions where I said to myself Wow that was really good. But I can’t remember them each individually. I’ve been doing this mailbag since 2009. I used to do them everyday. Now I’m down to once a week but I get on the average of 50-100 emails/week. So I just can’t remember everything. This in itself is a great question.
I was just asked about the types of heart a fighter can have. That was great. I was also asked about the type of punchers there are, that’s great because to thinking a puncher is a puncher and heart is heart is just misguided thoughts.
I was also asked a while ago , what things can be taught. And my reply is everything can be taught. Soldiers are taught to kill. They are taught to live in the wilderness. They are exposed to things that teaches them things they would not have learned otherwise. People think you can’t teach heart. It’s not true. Having heart is the sports term for not showing or overcoming fear. Do you think every sky diver got it right on the first time. No! Do you think every single person who has ever swam, was not afraid of water at one time or the other? Of course not.
So fighters who are afraid of certain things, have gotten over them with trial by fire and more exposure to whatever it is they fear. It happens in every sport. Sure you can teach heart. It’s obviously harder to teach. It’s obviously not something that easy to learn or acquire. But there have been fighters who have learned to conduct themselves like pros under adversity. That’s in direct relation to teaching heart. They have learned not to quit. Not to be afraid. To overcome fear and trepidations. I loved that question because you can teach anything if you’re the right teacher, with the right student. It doesn’t matter what it is.
Hey Breadman A couple things. First It was rough watching Berchelt last night. After that war with Valdez it appears he might not ever be the same. He looked very hesitant to engage which left him wide open to Nakathila’s right hand. Credit to Jeremiah though he did what he said he would do. On a different note Xander Zayas looks amazing. I’ve been watching all of his fights since going pro at 16 with Top Rank. Do you have any recommendations of younger fighters to be on the lookout for. Something similar to way you noticed Boots Ennis early on.
Cory
Bread’s Response: Yes I suspected that about Berchelt. From my view fighters who make a weight artificially. I don’t like the term weight bullies…Once they lose, they move up. So now they’re hitting bigger guys and bigger guys are hitting them so they lose their physicality. No one is scared of them anymore because they just saw them destroyed. They all usually go out the same way. Look at Margarito above 147. Look at Jose Luis Castillo above 135. Now look at Berchelt above 130.
Making that extremely low weight for their walk around size takes it’s toll on them and once they lose they don’t have incentive to make it anymore and it usually ends their careers. I was so confident Berchelt was in this category, I contacted his promoters asking to fight him with one of my guys after his loss to Valdez.
Xander Zayas does look good but I don’t like to say the word amazing just yet. He has about 5 more stages to go through as far as developing. The boxing world in general gets too excited over untested fighters. Sometimes it’s not the fighters. Sometimes it’s the matchmaking. Until they step up we don’t know. I do think highly of Zayas but he’s very young and his competition has been slight.
Trayvon Marshall is a kid to keep your eye on. He’s about 6ft. He has nice muscle content. He’s not overly skinny for his height. He fights between 147-154. He has a real jab. Real hand speed. He’s even handed and he has a good punch variety. I love the chemistry he has with his trainer Andrew Council. He’s good. Real good. But obviously welterweight and super welterweight are stacked divisions. So we have to see how he progresses. It won’t be easy. But I actually think he may be a little bit better than Zayas right at this moment although it’s very close. Let’s see how it plays out for both.
Sir,
You are a wise, intelligent, humble and emotionally intelligent man. This Marine Corps Vet tips his hat and respectfully salutes you. This quote caught me completely off guard, “Some people are more patriotic than others and the reasons are usually from personal experience. Whatever those brave warriors decide to do is good by me.”
The emotional me would be upset with that kind of response because patriotism strikes many emotions within me. However, I sat and absorbed this single statement and it echos volumes. Your perspective on the world, events and people is fascinating. While I may not agree with everything you say all the time, I do agree with the majority.
My respects to you sir. Please do keep writing.
Best regards, Gary
Bread’s Response: Thank you my friend. What I have learned throughout the years is to respect other’s perspectives. To show empathy and understanding to perspectives that aren’t my own. I used to be young and stupid and I didn’t get this. But I turn 46, today April 2nd and throughout the years I have acquired wisdom. It’s kept me alive.
Good day BreadMan!
I was listening to a podcast with Conor Benn and I was thinking, is there overemphasis on what skills fighters show early on in comparison to what mental strengths they show? I say this because most fans criticized Benn for his lack of skills when he first fought, without much thought or praise on what it took for him to handle a big debut occasion as a teenager, show the composure to stay together under fire from his opponents early on in the spotlight, take all the criticism against him and still persevere and show progress. He did this for most of his fights but has worked hard enough to become a top 10 WW in my eyes. Surely things like that show as much champion potential as a snappy jab or good footwork? Especially since most experts (like you) say boxing is anywhere from 70-90% mental.
Did you see in the Wood vs Conlan fight how Wood came out to “something inside so strong?”. It is a song that don’t seem to suit Wood from the outside (African roots to the song) so I knew then that he must have had some real belief that was the right song for him as he came out. He knew he could outlast Conlan that night, and boy did he. Can you give us a recap of the most chilling entrances you have seen when you knew a fighter was on?
Also, what do you make of crowd support galvanizing a fighter? I feel like in the UK with Wood recently, Warrington and a few others, the crowd has really played a role in creating champions for the UK. Can a crowd roaring you on be the difference between a win and loss? Are there any fighters you can think of that depend on the crowd?
God bless Sir!
Bread’s Response: Great question. Anytime the son of a famous fighter decides to fight, he has to overcome lots of criticism. Benn is no different and it’s something I think about and consider. Tim Tszyu just did it also. It’s not easy and no matter what they say there is enormous pressure. Especially when their father was GREAT. Nigel Benn was a great fighter.
Leigh Wood is a dog. A real dog. And I love it when fighters come down to songs that represent their current state and what they have to go through. I saw Riddick Bowe come down to “In the Air” By Phil Collins vs Holyfield. I knew my favorite fighter was in trouble.
Obviously I train him but I used to pick Julian Williams’s entrance songs because they had to represent the mood of the fight. In Montreal vs Michael Medina he told me he had a good song. Medina was a big strong 154lb fighter who was trained by Abel Sanchez at the time. Julian was clicked on because he knew Sanchez was a task master and that Medina would be in real shape. He came out to “Too Much” by Drake and I felt it through my bones. He was too much that night and it was his career best performance up until that fight.
Larry Holmes came out to Aint No Stopping Us Now vs Gerry Cooney. That was deep. I can go on about ring walk songs all day. I listen to them closely because they mean something to me. Hagler came out to WAR, vs John Mugabi. I went to see the fight on closed circuit. I have about 20 songs but I don’t have room to say them all. I love Ring Walks. Not loud ridiculous ring walks. But deep songs that show the mood of the fight. Ring Walks set the tone of war. Music is a big motivator. I can’t listen to certain songs without crying. They mean something.
Peace, Getting caught up on fights and just watched Wood v Conlan. Awesome fight and respect to both of those men! During the fight, I wondered how the fight would be affected if either man utilized a sharp jab? Both men had more of a pawing jab, with Conlan almost using his feint as a jab substitute. That lead me to ask you who you thought were the most successful boxers who under utilized the jab? I also noticed how Ben Davidson was sitting on the ring apron with his elbow on the rope, which was a first for me. It seemed like they used a low profile ring which may have contributed. Have you ever coached overseas? If so, is that a regular occurrence for Coach’s to sit on the ring apron?
Love your work good Brother.
Peace Philly Guzzy
Bread’s Response: I did notice that people were on the apron during the Wood vs Conlan fight. I’m not sure about the rules in the UK but if there is a rule prohibiting that, then someone from Conlan’s team should have said something.
I don’t like built in competitive advantages. I once worked a fight where the promoter sat right next to one of the judges. Literally next to him and we were going up against the promoter’s fighter. They won a close decision and no one could understand why I was upset. No one should be a near a judge while they score a fight. No one.
I don’t think anyone should be allowed to roam free inside of the gated area around the ring. That area should be sacred. Everyone should be in their seats at a respectful distance. I worked fights in Canada and the rules were basically the same as the US. We had to be seated in the corral area behind our corners.
Hey Bread – I hope I am remembering correctly, but recall you saying that once a fighter begins to get older, it is not so much that they don’t have it anymore – it is just that bad fights tend to happen more often. I have also heard many times that older fighters (that are special) always have that one more great fight in them. Was thinking about this in relation to Gennday Golovkin. As he heads into a match against Ryota Murata in a few weeks, then a possible 3rd showdown with Canelo later this year, wondering where you think GGG is at this stage in his career. Can he look ordinary (but win) against Murata, then turn around and give us that one more great performance against Canelo? Know there are many, many examples of this (i.e. Holyfield looks bad in a win over Bobby Czyz, then beats Mike Tyson in his next bout), but GGG would be going in against a Canelo Alvarez, who would be coming off a huge win over Bivol and riding high as the best P4P fighter on the planet. At the age of 40, at a higher weight and with all the wear-and-tear, does Golovkin have that one more special night in him? I have my doubts, but would love your take.
Reid (Atlanta)
Bread’s Response: The bad nights do happen more often when you’re past your prime. GGG can have a bad night and beat Murata but he has to be better than he ever was vs Canelo. I never say never, but it’s highly unlikely that he can beat Canelo at this stage of his career. It’s just a lot on him. He would have to adjust to Canelo now walking him down and attacking him with faster hands, more reflexive defense, being stronger and on his best career run.
I thought GGG beat Canelo in their 1st fight. But I was on record to say Canelo fought a better fight in terms of displaying skills. GGG basically had better stamina and had a constant jab. He didn’t work the body. And he didn’t really damage Canelo, he outworked him with a jab. Canelo checks GGG’s punch variety. GGG is an even handed attacker to the head and body but vs Canelo he’s not as flowing with his attack. The reason for that is Canelo is a master counter puncher to the head and body. GGG is a hard man but he’s still a human. He feels those punches.
Unless something drastically changes, we will have the same story but Canelo will play a bigger role in this fight. He’s going to pick up where he left off in the rematch. He knows how to fight GGG now. Attack him, push him back and get off first. He dictates to GGG. GGG’s amazing heart and durability is what made that rematch a great fight. Canelo was cruising and GGG made one of the best championship runs I have ever seen. He literally willed himself back in the fight but I felt he ran out of gas a little in the 12th to pull it out. But he may have left something in the ring that night. He hasn’t looked the same to me since.
I read your comments about the red carpet being rolled out for Tim Tszyu. You were right. It seems as if everyone has anointed Tszyu the next guy at 154 which is a division that all of the champions and top guys have taken losses or draws without knowing what he was. His best opponent to date was a shop worn Denis Hogan. Keep telling the truth.
Bread’s Response: I think Tim Tszyu is an excellent fighter. But when I say rolled out the red carpet I wasn’t talking of anyone specific. I was talking about the boxing world in general. Tszyu was a 10 to 1 favorite over an Olympian coming off of his best career win and who’s only losses were to Lubin and Lara. Who’s to say Tszyu can beat Lubin and Lara? Tszyu is also a mandatory and he’s ranked #5 by the RING. That’s a very lofty status for a fighter who was just 20-0 and he hasn’t faced any stand outs.
I will disagree with you on his best win. I think it’s Jeff Horn not Dennis Hogan. Horn was a real world champion. Hogan was not. The Horn win is excellent for a rising prospect. Tszyu is a solid guy. One day he may be the best in the division. But I don’t think he’s ready to take over just yet. From what I see Lubin and Charles Conwell are more developed than him currently out of the contenders under 30.
When the machine was behind GGG. He was ready. When he got on HBO vs Proska, the world knew he was different. I actually think Tszyu reminds me of GGG somewhat and somewhat his father. He’s just not as polished because he lacks their amateur experience.
It’s the promoter’s job to turn a fighter into a monster. I get that but the boxing world turned him into a monster on potential and projection. He should have been a 3 to 1 favorite over Gausha, not 10 to 1. And the flip side is, the fighter better be a monster when he’s billed as one. He can’t need more work and more time. When Mike Tyson got on HBO there was a coronation because you knew what he was. With Tszyu I think he needs more development. In no way was I saying he’s not the goods. He is and he has plenty of room to get better. But the truth is he’s very fortunate Gausha is not a more offensively talented fighter because that fight was there for Gausha to win.
Breadman,
The Tszyu vs Gausha fight was a good fight for both fighters. I think they both won as a result of the fight. A very big step up for Tszyu and Gausha showed he still has a lot left in the tank. Had Aisha finished Tszyu off in the first round, that would have been quite a surprise. While I don’t know if either of them can beat Charlo or Castaño, they’re fun for tv. I’m not sure if I see either of them beating Lubin, J-Rock or even Lara (if he’s still fighting).
The Berchelt vs Nakathila fight was hard to watch. I always did feel as though Berchelt kind of lunged in with his fistic attack making him vulnerable to that Valdez sleeper. With unsteady legs I don’t see a good outlook for him. I’m hoping his descent isn’t that of a Roy Jones Jr. Once RJJr got knocked out by Tarver, much lesser fighters were knocking out the great with punches that wouldn’t have even landed in the past. Warrington beating Martinez was no surprise. I think we’ve seen the best of Kiko’s days and upsets. Warrington vs Navarrette would be a solid match up.
These were all pretty evenly matched once again. Careers are either going to take off from here for some and for others it might be near the end of the road. What were your thoughts on the fights and where do you think each fighter goes from here? Blessings to you and your family my brother. Take care.
Richard K.
Oregon
Bread’s Response: I thought Tszyu vs Gausha was a very good fight. Gausha fought well but his temperament doesn’t allow him to beat elite fighters. He simply doesn’t fight with enough zest. I fighter is supposed to be calm but there is a difference in being calm and being overly conservative. Gausha can go. But he seems to always leave food on the table in his big fights. At this point I guess that’s just him.
He opened Tszyu up with a nice jab. And he opened him up with a nice right hand for the knockdown. But shortly after that Tszyu just took over. Gausha was fighting Tszyu off of him. He was fighting back. But he wasn’t initiating the violence. Tszyu is a DICTATOR. He’s going to put you on the ropes and just beat on you if you don’t hold your ground or attack him. He has a forceful demeanor.
I was impressed with Tszyu’s composure. In his first fight in the states he was dropped in the first round and buzzed. Tszyu won the 2nd. That was impressive. He has some defensive holes but he keeps a good work rate, he’s very strong and his gas tank is on FULL. That was a solid performance for him. I give him a B-. But his composure was A+.
Berchelt didn’t look well. Man! I don’t know what else to say but I’m surprised he took on a puncher in his first fight back.
Warrington is no joke. I would love to see him vs Leigh Wood in an ALL UK WAR!
Hey Bread –Thanks for answering my questions a few mailbags ago. Always love your insights. A few questions: 1 — why do punchers traditionally take several rounds to get into a fight? Is it mostly a nerves/mental thing? Does it have to do with their timing? If coaches of punchers know that their fighter tends to start slow, are there tactics they can use to get their fighter to start faster? 2 — is there a fighter (or two, or three) that can handle Canelo in his current form? What chances to win do you give the following fighters against Canelo: Bivol, Golovkin, Beterbiev, Charlo, Andrade, Benavidez. 3 — hypothetical matchup at cruiserweight. Let’s say it happens in ~2 years. Usyk vs. Canelo. Who wins? How does it happen? Thanks!
Bread’s Response:1. I’m not sure I agree with you. Grinding type of punchers who aren’t super fast twitch guys take a while to warm up. Like say Alexis Arguello and Julio Cesar Chavez. But punchers like Tommy Hearns, Mike Tyson and Nigel Benn who are fast twitch guys are fast starters. So no I can’t agree with your assessment of punchers starting slow.
I think lesser athletic great fighters take a longer time to warm up. I think the heavy handed type that aren’t really speed demons take more time to warm up. But not fast twitch fighters. They usually blaze early.
2. If Canelo keeps fighting top guys then someone will handle him. Maybe not beat him but give him a close call. Then after that, all of his fights will be tough again. Boxing goes in waves. And most times when a fighter’s dominant is run is over, it’s because the energy towards him is different and his opponents fight him harder. Look at Pacquiao after the 3rd Marquez fight. Look at Tyson after Holyfield. Look at Foreman after Ali. Canelo’s current form has been dominant but he’s still human. I don’t want to give anyone credit for something they haven’t done. But the fighter who gives Canelo his toughest fight will be the fighter who is determined enough to keep trying to win and execute his game plan for 12 contested rounds. The fighter who refuses to submit or accept the fact that Canelo is great. He may know Canelo is great but in the ring he won’t accept his greatness. That fighter will give him a tough fight. Often times boxing is about character and tangible and intangible mental qualities.
3. Usyk is a heavyweight at this current time. That’s not fair to Canelo. He’s really about 5’7 ½. He’s strong but he’s not beating Usyk in Usyk’s current form. If Canelo can beat Usyk, he’s the greatest fighter EVER!
Hi Breadman,
Now that Inuoe and Donaire rematch is set, how do you see this fight? Is it gonna be the same? What if Donaire wins? would that make him to top 20 all time?
-Ray
Bread’s Response: I respect both men for fighting again. I revere Nonito Donaire for seeking out challenges that he doesn’t have to take. Inoue has a case for being the world’s best fighter. A real case. They use the term P4P. So let’s imagine for a second that Inoue started out at 147 and he moved through 3 divisions with his level of destruction up to 160. Now open your eyes and think would that fighter be considered the P4P best. His size and where he’s from is why he doesn’t get a harder consideration.
For Nonito to want to fight him again let’s me know what Nonito is A straight GUN. The most willing superstar, HOF level fighter we possibly have seen since Muhammad Ali. He literally doesn’t care who he fights. I don’t want to make a pick because it’s hard for me to pick against Nonito. He’s a guy a hold in special regard and it’s difficult for me to pick against him. I think he has a shot because he’s blessed with a rare gift. Fights slow down for him which allows him to process faster than most humans. He’s fought Inoue once so he has his timing. Nonito literally hits and hurts everyone he fights. Nonito is also a lot bigger than Inoue.
But Inoue is just as special as Nonito and the same advantages Nonito has, Inoue now has them. He’s also seen Nonito. He knows he can outbox him and move and make Nonito come to him. He knows he can hurt him to the body. And he’s much younger. Today I say 65/35 in Inoue’s favor without making an official pick. Great fight however.
I read your comments on Twitter of how sometimes it’s best to fight a fighter if he’s been red hot because eventually he will come back to earth and how you get more credit for it. I love your logic but I think Errol Spence is making a mistake fighting Ugas. I think he’s really slipped since his accident. You can see it in the Porter and Garcia fights. Salas is a master at training his fighters to fight southpaws. I think he loses and loses badly. What’s your prediction? I’m assuming you think Spence will win.
Bread’s Response: I think people in sports repeat things that they hear without research because they want it to be true. Newsflash Spence fought Porter before his accident not after. You guys don’t realize he’s only fought once since his accident and that was against Danny Garcia. He didn’t look as good as he did vs Lamont Peterson but he was still good enough to win 8 or 9 rounds from a formidable fighter in Garcia. Spence has a way about him where as if he’s not having his best night, he still wins. He shows up, when he’s supposed to show up. Because of that he’s one of the top 10 fighters on the planet. And he’s one of the handful of fighters on the planet that can command his level of payday. Canelo is in a league by himself. Wilder, Joshua and Fury are heavyweights. Then guess who…. Spence, GGG and Tank Davis.
I bring up purses for a reason. In order to command the money he commands you have to have a way about you of delivering when you have to. Even though he didn’t medal he was regarded as the best Olympian. He was in the P4P list before he won his title. And he was the favorite to beat Kell Brook even though Brook was the champion. There is something about Errol Spence that the people in power identify with being an elite winner. You have to give credence to that.
Ugas is one of the hottest fighters in the world. Besides Canelo I can’t think of anyone who has been as hot recently. But you’re correct everyone comes back down to earth eventually. A pitcher can only throw but so many no hitters. A basketball player can only get 50 but for so many nights. I felt the same way about Tyson Fury in his trilogy fight vs Wilder. Fury was better in the 2nd fight than he was in the 3rd. He fought perfect in the 2nd.
I love Ugas’s demeanor and story. I love what he’s done to get his career back on track. But he’s due for an off night. He’s due to come back down a little bit. And a little bit can be a lot at this level. So I never made an official pick. I was wrong about Thurman vs Barrios. My logic was Thurman would be rusty but he was far from it. But my guts tell me Spence is tired of the critics. He’s tired of everyone saying he’s scared of this guy and that guy. He’s tired of hearing about the accident and that he’s slipped. And he’s out to prove something. I also like how Spence is heavily influenced by his dad. When an older wiser person has a young man’s ear, that young man does not make decisions alone. Spence lives on his farm. Nothing but fresh air and fresh food. He’s a smart dude. Not in terms of over thinking but smart nevertheless. If I had to guess he has an advantage of 55/45 in this fight.
I expect both guys to go at it, like savages. I expect lots of determination. Lots of violent exchanges. But I suspect Spence may be a little too sturdy and a little too brutal to the body. I don’t know it though, because Ugas doesn’t have a lot of kos but he seems really strong and he’s a solid puncher. He also has variation to his right hand so that’s a problem Spence has to solve. I expect a Fight of the Year Candidate and I slightly lean towards Spence at this time…..
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