In this week’s mailbag, Philadelphia coach Stephen “Breadman” Edwards is asked about his thoughts on the upcoming light heavyweight undisputed fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, the December bout in Houston between Tank Davis and Lamont Roach, and he also weighs up how best to set up a fighter, looking at their physical attributes and fighting gifts
Hi Breadman.
I pray God is blessing and continues to bless you and your family and the fans of your mailbag and their families. Can’t wait for Bivol vs. Beterbiev. I don’t see anyway that this fight won’t be a classic confrontation. I like Beterbiev by late stoppage or UD, but I would be more confident if he wasn’t coming off of an injury. I see a lot of people still want to see Joshua vs Fury. Would you want to see that fight? I have absolutely no interest and that was a fight I was starving to see it years ago but now they both along with Andy Ruiz look like they are just about done in their careers. I wish fighters would fight each other when they are at their best and not their worst. I still feel boxing fans got robbed by Pac Man and Mayweather for not fighting that fight years earlier than when they did fight. Your fighter Plant should be all in the media calling out Crawford. Basically, saying that prove you deserve the fight with Canelo by fighting me first at 168. Boots should be calling out Crawford, too. That’s how fights get made. Sometimes you must come out of your comfort zone and shame people into fighting you. Tarver did it with Roy Jones and other fighters have done it. It’s like the scene with Mr. T in Rocky 3. Plant, unlike Boots, seems to be a trashtalker so he might get under Crawford’s skin enough to make it happen.
I don’t know who Lamont Roach is and I don’t want to see him vs Tank Davis. What the hell is going on with the business of boxing God bless and take care, Blood and Guts from Philly
Bread’s Response: I love the Beterbiev vs Bivol match up. Bivol has been looking great in training and Beterbiev’s injury bothers me. But I’m taking Beterbiev to get the win. I don’t know if he will stop him but I believe he will beat him. This is a historically significant match up. The winner becomes a HOF lock and an ATG at 175.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Joshua vs Fury within the next year.
Taking fights when your opponent is depleted is part of the trickery of the era. Fight your opponent at his weakest and not at his best. It’s hard to go after greatness when just about everyone is doing it. Oh well. The only way it will change is if the world’s best and most popular fighter sets a trend where he goes after the best at their best on a consistent basis.
Caleb Plant is not going to call out a junior middleweight. That would look foolish and corny. Amir Khan who was an ex champion at 140lbs, never won a title at 147 or 154, got a shot at Canelo for the lineal MW crown. Crawford has had 10x better career than Khan. If they can justify Khan getting a shot, Crawford’s shot can be justified.
Boots has already stated that he wanted to fight Crawford. If it’s not in his nature to be loud about those things then it’s not in his nature. Madrimov didn’t have to call Crawford out to get a shot. The A-side fighter can pretty much make a fight if he wants to… Crawford has stated he’s looking for bigger fights than Boots. And I understand that. I think Crawford is a special fighter and he was on the outside looking in for years. But that’s not on Boots. All Boots needs to do is keep being himself. And keep winning. And what’s for him will get to him.
I know who Lamont Roach is. He’s a solid fighter. And he’s a real champion at 130lbs. I don’t have an issue with this fight. But I do wish that Tank fought a superfight vs Shakur or Teofimo. Tank could justify a showcase fight here and there if he fought three times per year. I think this will be his second fight this year. When the fans don’t see you often, they want you to fight big fights every time out. Personally I’m just glad he wasn’t one and done for 2024. I enjoy seeing him fight. Along with Inoue, he’s the most dynamic KO puncher in boxing.
Hello Breadman,
Let’s say I have a guy who has solid fundamentals, good educated footwork although shows some vulnerability getting dropped every once in a while, has hammers for hands but is slow-twitch and not a one-punch knockout type of guy. Hypothetically what style would I need to keep him away from to get him to 20-0 with 20 knockouts?
You see where I am going with this… I’m not sure how the bookmakers decide to set their odds but they seem way off to me with this fight. As of right now I am 60-40 in favour of Bivol. As you always point out, it’s not fought on paper but I’m not convinced in Beterbiev's resume at all. Bivol’s resume isn’t amazing either, however, he’s never had a close fight yet even ending Canelo's career best run. Whereas Beterbiev, who is now 39, has been down and hurt a few times (and is apparently ravaged by frequent injuries). The guy he fought who is probably most similar in style to Bivol – the German Koelling – is the only guy to take him into the 12th round and it’s debatable if it was necessary for the referee to wave the fight off when he did. Perhaps the thing that stands out the most from this one fight is how much faster and fresher Beterbiev looked back then compared to present day.
He’s simply not the same guy now. Bivol has the IQ, the foot and handspeed, the chin, the athleticism, is fresher and has the style advantage and ability to fight more than one way. The power and the timing is with Beterbiev, but he relies on imposing his will on and breaking everybody he fights. Beterbiev’s best punch and a key to the way he breaks people down is his straight right to the body. He may be the best with this punch in all of boxing right now. Interestingly, I noticed that Canelo hit Bivol with a right to the body at the start of their fight then never landed it again.
And therefore, maybe the thing that most tells me to pick Bivol is the way he reacted to getting hit by Joe Smith Jr. at the end of the 10th round, along with how disciplined a fight he fought on the biggest stage against Canelo. Bivol stayed completely calm and composed in both of those scenarios, which can itself be a form of imposing will. I like the younger faster Bivol to get it done, for Beterbiev to win he probably has to do it with one punch and he’s not really a one punch guy. Have you seen the Beterbiev-Koelling fight, and are you still picking Beterbiev over Bivol?
Much Respect.
Bread’s Response: Everything you said is true. But I don’t let people talk me out of my picks. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. But I’m picking Beterbiev. Bivol has not come close to losing. But I don’t feel like Beterbiev has either. He’s never been hopelessly down on the cards and needed a miracle comeback to win. He’s usually up or even on the cards and most importantly he’s been in control of the fights he’s won at the time of the stoppages. And he’s won them all.
I don’t know who has the better chin. Just because we have seen Beterbiev down, doesn’t mean Bivol has the better chin. Beterbiev takes more risks, he fights differently. He’s in the danger zone more. I’ve always wondered about Bivol’s chin. He seems to allow inferior fighters to go the distance. And I wondered was it because he was a pure boxer. Or because he doesn’t like getting hit…
I don’t break down fights like you and neither of us is wrong. Checking boxes are for someone who is doing a camp or a hypothetical match up. Who wins head to head is simply about who is more effective at doing what he does. Tommy Hearns checks more boxes than Iran Barkley but yet lost to him. I’m not saying checking boxes doesn’t matter. But I’m saying Beterbiev has that Rocky Marciano type of way about him. Most of Marciano’s opponents checked more boxes than him. Yet none beat him.
I also feel like Beterbiev can be a one punch KO guy. But he just tries to touch you, chip away at your resistance, then he stops you. It’s a form of discipline to not try to punch hard. But to just make solid contact. It’s a sign of reassurance and confidence. I have been around thousands of fighters. Most of the hard punchers scream and yell when they punch in a form of intimidation. Beterbiev just simply touches you. I think it’s a gift that’s in his favor, in terms of beating a boxer on the level of Bivol. Because not loading up allows you touch the target.
However, stylistically I admit Bivol has an advantage. But I feel like Beterbiev has seen and overcame this style before, or he wouldn’t have been such a standout amateur. I’m taking Beterbiev.
Sup Breadman,
My question is about fighters’ physical attributes. As a trainer, do you consider certain fighters physical attributes advantageous, despite them not using them as such? For example, a fighter with a long reach, would push for them to fight at a distance? Would you like a more compact fighter to fight on the inside? Do physical attributes really make a difference? Thank you.
Hope you and yours are doing well.
Bread’s Response: I am more inclined to evaluate a fighter’s physical gifts moreso than his attributes. Paul Williams was a 6ft 2ins welterweight with freakishly long arms. Everyone wanted him to be Tommy Hearns. If he had Hearns’s gift he wouldn’t have lost a fight. But he didn’t. In fact Pernell Whitaker was a better out fighter than Williams and Whitaker was 5ft 5ins with a 70 inch reach.
In boxing, this mistake is made often. When we see a short muscular fighter, we expect him to fight like Mike Tyson or Joe Frazier. When we see a taller fighter we expect him to fight like Muhammad Ali or Tommy Hearns. And while true at times, I feel like what the fighter’s gifts are, should be valued over his physical attributes.
What are your thoughts on Tank fighting a guy from his hometown in Houston? I would assume they would fight in the DMV area. Also who would you favor in Tank vs Loma and do you consider it a duck that Loma didn’t want to fight at this moment?
Bread’s Response: I thought Tank vs Roach would be in Washington DC. But if it’s not, then it’s not. I don’t really have an opinion on why it’s in Houston because there is so much that goes on behind the scenes, that I don’t even indulge in unless I’m directly involved. As the fight approaches, Tank and his team will explain why they went to Houston. I honestly don’t know and I haven’t really thought about it. Let’s wait and see what they say before we criticize the move.
I don’t think Loma ducked Tank. Ukraine is in a bad place right now. Loma loves his country. Loma is also an older fighter. He’s 36 and he’s had some tough nights. After his last two fights, he was filled with indifferent emotions. I can see him not fighting again, period.
It’s not just about fighting Tank. It’s going into camp in a clear state of mind and then performing vs Tank. If he went in and got creamed, and brought up he wasn’t right mentally, then you all would say he’s making excuses. But he has had one foot out the door for the last two fights. Besides that, there was a time when Loma wanted to fight Tank and for whatever reasons, the fight didn’t happen. Now many years later the shoe is on the other foot. But I remember...
I’m never going to say a man ducked another man, when he wanted to fight him when he was at his peak. But now that he’s clearly past his best day, the fight gets revisited and he doesn’t want it. I think Loma respects Tank. He knows he has to be at his best to beat him.
I would favor Tank at this point. I don’t see Loma beating Tank at 36 years old. I think a prime Loma would have had a tough night vs Tank and it would’ve been 50/50ish. And I think while this Loma is still very capable, he’s not the same guy that say, Nicholas Walters fought many years ago.
I can’t believe Devin Haney is suing Ryan Garcia. This is some bitch shit. Just fight him in a rematch and beat him. Real fighters don’t sue. Devin and his dad act like gangsters. But now they want to go to court and sue a fighter for cheating. There wasn’t enough of whatever was in Ryan’s system to have an effect on his performance. What has boxing come to?
Bread’s Response: Boxing has come to a place where people like you can say these stupid things without repent. Devin Haney is not a b****. During the fight he was hurt several times and never stopped trying to win. Did you watch it?
And this is not about his dad. This is about Devin. Devin is an adult. I don’t care what his father has said or done. Devin is taking the punches. So he decided to sue. It’s his choice. When someone wrongs you in business, that’s what you do. Boxing is a business. So if Devin decided to get a baseball bat an exact revenge on Garcia, then you’re the same person who would call him a thug and say this is a business.
I don’t have an opinion on if Devin should’ve sued or not. I have on opinion on his right to do what he wants to. If he chose not so sue, I would say the same thing. But everyone is clowning him for suing is just wrong in my opinion.
Ryan Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Period! People are trying to justify it by saying it wasn’t enough in his system. Or it doesn’t effect his performance. Or he wasn’t using it to get an advantage, he was using it to cut weight.
All of these excuses are misguided. Here is why. None of them matter. The testing guidelines are what matters. And if there was enough of it in his system to trigger a positive result, then it was too much. And let’s not psychoanalyze Garcia. We can’t give him an excuse. Let him come up with his own.
And how would anyone know if he took it just to cut weight? How could anyone know if it effected him in a positive way? And not only is it irresponsible to say it, it’s irrelevant. He took something he wasn’t supposed to take, he came back positive for it and that’s that.
And one more thing, let’s say Devin does decide to fight Garcia again. How can he trust him to do the honorable thing and not take anything banned? Are Garcia’s ethics and morals so high that anyone can be sure he won’t take a banned substance. I don’t know either way. And surely Devin doesn’t know.
All of the heat that Devin Haney is catching, proves exactly what I have already said. No one in boxing cares about PEDS. They only care of their favorite fighter gets caught. Devin is well within his rights to do what he feels he needs to do.
Hello Breadman, I can see Bud Crawford’s point of view. He is not interested in proving anything. He is interested in the Canelo fight for money and maybe legacy, but first and foremost money. He is ready to cash out. He mostly likely will not get the Canelo fight. So what is the second biggest cash out fight Bud could make? I think it would be to rematch Spence. I would love to see the rematch at a higher weight.
Also what is going on with Boots Ennis? Do we really need this rematch with Chukhadzhian? A fighter who never won a round. I am a big Boots fan, but look at his resume. Who is the best fighter he has faced? He is twenty seven years old and can’t get fights? Doesn’t seem the promoter change has helped much so far. Has to fight in his hometown like Crawford to get a crowd. I totally believe you when you say he is the goods but he should have had major fights and a title fight three or four years ago. He didn’t even win his title in the ring. Something has to give here. Brian Norman Jr and Stanionis don’t want to fight him, or there is not enough interest to raise the money. Boots needs SRL chrisma and management. I want to see Boots fight Crawford, Spence, Stanionis, Brian Norman Jr, Vergil Ortiz. How do you fight the best guy available and unify and clean out the division when no one will fight you? Something has to give. Time waits on no man.
Thank You.
J.B.
Bread’s Response: I don’t think we can use the term cash out when it comes to Bud. He’s a winner. If he were a cash out guy, he would take the Conor McGregor money. Bud is an ATG and he’s undefeated. He wants to win and he thinks he can beat Canelo. I don’t remotely consider that a cash out.
I think Boots needs to be Boots. His team inherits his personality. However, I think a good blueprint to take is the one GGG used. Stay active. Fight the best available and top rated contender. Stay in the public’s eye. And even if you have to overpay opponents, do it. GGG became one of the biggest stars of the last 20 years and it didn’t start out that way.
I want you to observe something very closely. The fighters from the class of 2016. Teofimo Lopez, Charles Conwell, Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Richardson Hitchins and Ryan Garcia. Even Tank Davis who is slightly older.
They all may trash talk each other. They all insult each other. Rarely do you hear them disrespect or say anything negative about Boots. There is a reason for that. They know how good he is! They have seen him up close and personal. Some have fought or sparred him. They know! Just like you don't hear fighters in Philly disrespect him. He’s not a bully. He doesn't try to intimidate fighters. He's just that good that in an era full of disrespect, he rarely gets disrespected.
His team. And when I say team, I mean management, marketing, branding and promotion have to all raise their level of their games to match his talent. He’s doing his job...
What up Breadman?
Didn’t Roach call out Davis? I don’t see anything wrong with that fight. In Roach you have a fighter who is daring to be great and fight the best. By no means is this a Davis cherrypick. If it is then be prepared for the unexpected. As a boxing fan, this fight makes sense as Davis takes on another fluid style fighter. Roach appears hungry and not just a seat filler opponent. This can be “Danger”....
I like that. Time for David to face a legit threat. I can see upset. Nobody should be willing to face Roach, actually your "0" might go. No weight drain issues, bro is moving up to take the new “Face of Boxing” fighter’s crown. Roach may shake shit up and cause a “disturbance in the force”.
Respect,
Michael “Precise” Blount
Bread’s Response: Here is my objective take. I think Davis vs Roach is a decent match up. It’s not a great match up but it’s decent. Davis wants to stay busy. Loma is not available. Stevenson is injured. I guess Teofimo is around but you never know how those negotiations will go….. My point is there aren’t as many options for Davis as you would think. El Rayo is at 140 and he’s not ready to fight in December.
If Davis vs Roach was in the DMV area it would be cool because Davis is from Baltimore and Roach is from DC. The fight looks like it’s in Texas. I don’t know why and I’m not criticizing because for all we know, they could be getting some money from someone to put it on down there. Who knows?
I don’t hate the fight. And I don’t love it. I’m glad Davis is staying busy. And I’m even more happy that Roach, who is a tough fighter, is getting a nice payday. I will be honest, however. I don’t think Roach will win. I think he’s going to fight hard and not lay down. But Davis is one of the 10 best fighters in the world. He’s also one of the three or four best punchers in the world. Roach can fight but in my opinion he doesn’t have the talent or physical attributes to move up in weight and beat a Davis. But listen, that’s why they fight the fights. I’m happy for Lamont and I wish him well. Let’s see what happens. You can’t win a fight that you don’t take. And he took the smoke.
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