I know ur not going to post this so what the hell at least i know u
read it. Dude once again your bias with Leonard is worth throwing up
man! Are u serious Duran number 8 on that tourney, when the only guy
on the face of the earth who can say beat ray was roberto duran! When
ray was in his prime! Like u say!! Feel me? I wonder how bert sugar
who i believe knows a little bit more than you, has duran ranked way
above ray!!! Every single expert book u read 9-10 have duran better
than ray in terms of what they accomplished! Top 100 boxers of all
times!Come on dude you better than this, yeah i know u going to say
ray chosed to fight duran style and it was really close! Yeah and he
made duran quit in the rematch! But bra its getting really sad every
question about ray is he is the best!!! Come on man, putting duran 8th
on ur list is ridiciliuos. Where was ray at this stage of his career
when duran was fighting barkley, he was getting tko by camacho!!! Stop
hating on DUran man, u start sounding like teddy atlas when he talks
about pacman!geeez!!!! Take care, juan,
Bread’s Response: Please stop it. I’m going to go Stephen A. Smith on you, and tell you what he told Scottie Pippen when Pippen claimed Lebron is better than Jordan. “Shut up!”


Now to the point at hand. I wasn’t asked who was the best fighter p4p out of the bunch that I was given. I was asked to do a seeding and in a tournament who would come out on top. To be exact Duran was NOT 8th, he was 7th. Wilfred Benitez was 8th and Shane Mosley was last in 9th.  I was asked about a welterweight tournament! Get that! Why is it unreasonable to believe that Leonard would win the tourney , when he stopped 3 people on the dam list? Did I make that up, or did it happen? I never said Ray lasted longer than Duran or anything of the sort. I actually think Duran would have beat everybody on the list in the tourney except for Leonard and Hearns.
At 147, Duran was still in his 20’s and still special. He just didn’t stay there long and he only won, 1 title fight at the weight. That was the reason for his low seeding. Not his ability or legacy. Duran also lost right around that time to two people on the list at 154, Benitez and Hearns. So I factored that in also. Overall he is probably the best fighter on the list.


Lastly, I have a lot of respect for Bert Sugar but I could care less about what he would say. I was asked for my opinion, not his. But I’m glad you brought him up. You really set yourself up for this one. Sugar was in Philly on Thursday for a book signing at a bar call Finnegan’s Wake. The book is called, The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists. In the book, Sugar list his 10 greatest welterweights. Welterweight is 147lbs in case you didn’t know. Guess who was number 5 all time on Mr. Sugar’s list. Yes you got it, Ray Charles Leonard. Roberto Duran was not on Mr. Sugar’s list in the 147lb weight class. So, since his opinion means so much to you, we can assume that Bert Sugar would have had Sugar Ray Leonard come out on top in the same tournament I was asked about. Sugar could have put any of those guys on his list but he only chose Leonard.


You guys always make ASSES of yourselves when you try to challenge my integrity. Just because Ray Leonard is my favorite all time fighter (I happen to love Duran and Hearns also), that doesn’t mean I would use my platform to make him out of something he is not.  Leonard was 32-1 at welterweight, he stopped 3 all-time great fighters at that weight and he beat one of the top 10 to 15 all time junior middleweights in (Ayub Kalule 39-0) around that same time. No one else on the list I was given has that kind of resume. Leonard’s accomplishments speak for themselves, I don’t have to be bias, all I have to do is state them. And for the record I would never HATE on Roberto Duran. I have never picked against him in the hypothetical match ups I get and I just spent over 100 bucks on his lightweight title run, which is a collector’s item. Stop making up shit in your head , in an attempt to be right.

 

 


 

 

Breadman,,
I know you are a basketball guy so I want to hear your opinion. Lebron James is better and more talented then Mike Jordan. Jordan was protected by the officials and had better teammates. Lebron is the greatest talent to ever hit the NBA. That Cleveland team he took to the finals was garbage. This is the first time he had talented teammates. He shut down Derrick Rose. Do you think Karl Malone could have stuck Allen Iverson? If Lebron had a team like Magic's with Worthy, Nixon, Kareem, Scott, Cooper, Thompson, Wilkes and Mccadoo, he would have went 82 and O or 79 and 3 at the worst and would have won more then 5 titles. Look at Cleveland without Lebron. The Bull's didn't collapse when Jordan left for baseball and Scottie Pippen was a fantastic player who was 6'9 with ball handling skills and great defender and good shooter and Horace Grant 's contributions are underrated and Rodman is the greatest rebounder of all time pound for pound. Mike's only advantage is he is a better shooter but Lebron is a better passer and rebounder and defender. Mike was more protected because the league and shoe companies had a vested interest in his success. They changed the rules in his favor and made the game less physical because he couldn't get pass Detroit. Which is why Isaiah didn't shake his hand. Lebron is bigger, stronger and faster then Mike and would have beaten him in a footrace or lifting weights or a fistfight and is more athletic. He outweighs Jordan by sixty pounds and was good enough to come right out of high school and be the best player on his NBA team. Jordan wasn't the best player on that North Carolina team when he was a freshman, Worthy was and Perkins. He stayed in college until his junior year. His success caught a lot of people off guard. Lebron has been a phenom since high school and has been targeted and had a bulls eye on his back since he was 15. He carried that bum ass Russian center, Drew Gooden, Damon Jones and Larry Hughes to the Finals. At least Iverson had an all star in Mutumbo when he went to the Finals. Lebron is the most unselfish guy on the court and creates a lot of open shots that guys miss. I remember when Tashyun Prince caught Reggie Miller from behind and blocked his shot. I thought it was the greatest defensive play ever but Lebron routinely catches guys like Rondo all the time.Lebron's talent is greater then Jordan's and ultimately he will be remembered as the greatest player in the history of the NBA.Kobe is almost as good as Jordan but name me a player in the history of the NBA comparable to Lebron. Magic doesn't have his size or athleticism and neither does Oscar Robertson. Lebron has a body like Karl Malone, can jump like Doctor J and handle the rock like a point. It’s like he was created in a laboratory.He showed that he is a true competitor by taking a pay cut and going to Miami .Most egomanics like Charles Barkley wouldn’t have wanted to share the spotlight with D-Wade. If you go by rings then Bill Russell is the greatest he has 11. Take care, Blood and Guts from Philly
Bread’s Response: This is a boxing mailbag, but I had to answer this. I just had a friend tell me if Dirk Nowitzki wins a ring he is top 10 all time. No freaking way. And no freaking way to Lebron being better than Mr. Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Stop that shit man! Please stop it! This is typical media “knee jerk” reaction. Listen when I assess athletes in any sports, I don’t break down their parts 1st and then try to build them back up. Because sometimes and often times the sum total outweighs the parts broken down. The 1st thing I take into consideration is who has the biggest effect on the game. That’s most important. For example, look how many guys could run, jump, and play defense better than Larry Bird. Dominique Wilkins, Tracy McGrady, James Worthy , I could go on forever. But how many of those same guys are better? Brad Daugherty and Paul Gasol can do more things overall than Shaq, but ask yourself who is better.  Same with Muhammad Ali in boxing. There are tons of guys, who can punch harder, who were better body punchers etc etc. But how many were just better? I don’t care what you name that Lebron can do that Michael Jeffrey Jordan can’t do. Lebron James at this moment is not BETTER than Michael Jeffrey Jordan. It’s too soon to tell. Michael Jordan is Sugar Ray Robinson. I hope that clears up how I feel about that statement.

 


 

 

Bread, I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I just watched Foreman/Frasier I for the first time ever. I'm up on all my boxers since around '99, and frequently study my history on the old heads one fighter at a time. I'm now on my latest kick with Foreman and by the time you write back I'll probably have watched most of his fights. Could you give me some of the background surrounding and going into this particular fight? I'm in awe at how George handled this dude. I mean damn, Foreman didn't even look like he broke a sweat, and his combos seemed to effortless, yet he beast'd the hell out of Joe. In your opinion, what were George's biggest strengths and weakness? What are some of your favorite fights of his that I should check out? As always, thanks a lot Bread.

Joe
Bread’s Response: Going into the Frazier fight, Foreman was the underdog believe it or not. They were both Olympic Gold Medalist but Frazier was viewed as the better fighter. Funny thing is , Ali ruined Frazier’s prime 2 years earlier in their 1st fight. If you look close at tape of Frazier, before his 1971 fight against Ali( Foster, Young, Mathis), he was really fast and covered lots of ground. After that fight, Frazier looked like he was stuck in mud, his legs were gone. That being said Foreman was just a bad style for him.


George’s had many strong points. 1st was his physical strength. George pushed strong men, like Frazier and Norton around  like they were nothing. George also had a great variety of punches. He snapped a sickening jab, he threw uppercuts and hooks and could change the angle on his right hand. George also could take an ass whooping and he was very physically tough. George’s only real weakness for a heavyweight, was he didn’t always fight smart fights. He got reckless against Ali and Ron Lyle. If you combine the Foreman of the 70’s with the Foreman of the 90’s, you would have the best heavyweight ever. Check out Foreman and Ken Norton and Ron Lyle. Heck anything before the Frazier fight, is just a brutal display of destruction. All highlight material. He was 40-0 with 37 kos when he challenged Frazier for his 1st title.

 


 

 

Marciano definitely fought an over-the-hill Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore which are the biggest and best names on his resume. He never fought a prime champion as would’ve been the case if he fought Floyd Patterson or Sonny Liston after 1955. That’s the overrated part which really stands out.
Haye does have toughness, it’s Wladimir who lacks toughness. Wladimir has the best reclamation man in boxing in his corner and Wladdy does everything Manny Steward tells him to do and that’s what keeps him safe. When he strays from Steward’s instructions he has much tougher fights then he should have. Both Klitschko’s defense especially Wladdy’s is their offense. So if you take their offense away they’re toast.
Manny Steward in Chad Dawson’s corner is reminiscent of Steward in Taylor’s corner. They’ll go their separate ways after Hopkins beats Dawson.
Bread’s Response: I agree Wlad does lack toughness. Seeing him flail around the ring against Sam Peter and Lamon Brewster has always stood out in my mind. The problem is , he is more composed now and he fights in his box (comfort zone). He is also very tall, so he doesn’t absorb much punishment anymore. Haye is a ballsy guy, he has risen from knockdowns. But when I say toughness Rob, you know the kind of toughness I’m talking about. I’m talking about the kind of toughness you MAY need to get to a man, who is a huge puncher and he is 30lbs heavier and 3 inches taller. I’m talking about that legendary type of “dog”. I don’t want Haye depending on walking Wlad into a BIG right hand. That may never come. He may have to earn this victory with his toughness.

 


 

 

Hey Breadman, I think people is very wrong when they saying that JMM
can`t beat Pacquiao and that it would be a one-sided fight. They said that
Marquez is old and he`s not the same, but I think it actually Pacquiao who
took much more beating in his last 3-4 fight and it`s affecting him . And
it seems like since he got his job in congress, his not showing kind of
physical and mental form that he showed in “ Diaz-Cotto” period of his
career. Marquez is slowed down a little bit too, but his skills is still
there, and counterpunching is still his bread and butter, and he knows
that Pacquiao will come to him, so there will be plenty of opportunities
to counter. So I think Marquez will give Pacquiao hell one more time, and
maybe this time split decision goes to Mexican legend…
Bread’s Response: I think they are very wrong also. I want to make a side bar prediction. When the two fighters get into the ring, one of the broadcasters will point out that these two guys are pretty much the same size. I believe if Marquez really tried he could make 130 and if Manny really tried he could make 135.


Manny has improved but his improvement gets exaggerated because while improving he has done it against bigger slower guys. The two biggest strengths Manny has is his speed and quickness , and work rate. He demoralizes the bigger fighters because they simply can’t keep up. Marquez can, and he we know no matter how bleak circumstances look for Juan Ma, he doesn’t demoralize.


Public perception and media propaganda are something to behold. It’s hard for me to believe that no one finds it ironic, that this historic run that Manny has been on, started just 3 months after his 2nd fight with Marquez.


To me this fight has Ali/Frazier III written all over it. I expect a brutal late stoppage by Pacquioa, but it will be far from easy.  I want to go on record for one more thing. After this fight, Manny has to fight a young in his prime elite fighter if he doesn’t get  Mayweather in the ring. I can’t criticize the fight because Marquez does deserve it, and if Manny didn’t fight him, people would claim he ducked him. So by fighting him 3 times, that can’t be said. But I need to see Manny against a Tim Bradley or Victor Ortiz type. I know Arum could care less about his legacy but I really feel Manny needs this type of fight. He has so many detractors that this kind of emphatic statement will shut a lot of people up.

 

 

 

 

Hi Bread,
I think you really hit the nail on the head re the MONEY/PACMAN PED debate. It's true, why should Manny have to give up any mental edge he has over Floyd? No war strategist in their right minds would do that esp. if the rules of engagement don't require Olympic drug testing.
That's Manny's ACE CARD! I am a huge fan of Floyd and also of Pac and if this fight never happens I am quite satisfied with Manny's stance on the whole issue. He has the mental edge and if anything it's Floyd's responsibility to prove Manny wrong by beating him in the ring.
There is an African proverb that says "If your hand is in the Lions mouth you never hit it on the head, or else it will bite you". Meaning sometimes its best to go in humble in certain situations. It was a smart move by Floyd to try and rattle Manny but he went about it the wrong way by trying to destroy Manny's good-guy image.
Rather, he should have appealed to the good guy in Manny and asked him to join hands, sing Michael Jackson's HEAL THE WORLD and help him take a stance against cheating esp. in the light of the Shane and Margarito deal.
That would have sold. Manny would have looked bad if he refused to come on board but Floyd's arm-twisting tactics have just back-fired.
If Floyd had done his homework by reading Manny's autobiography he would have known that Manny hates being the bad guy. In order to deal with Manny Floyd should have become the ultimate politician and appealed to Manny's sense of fair play which he profusely displays in many of his fights.
Floyd should have gone in humble and then after getting what he wants then rip Manny's head off. In years to come, I will tell my grand kids that Floyd was a super-genius but he was very leery of Manny and that hurts his legacy a little bit although I still think he was capable of beating Manny, I think this situation is an exact mental mirror of the fear that Cus D'Amato planted into Tyson re George Foreman, For some reason, FMSR and Roger are spooked about Manny. Damn, I think I just answered the question; This fight aint gonna happen and even if it does it will be after Manny slips in which case Floyd's legacy is tarnished somewhat.
So thanks for your article re this debate because it helped to settle the matter in my mind. Manny is right to stick by his guns.
Now Bread a question with regard to Manny; I have noticed that Manny forgets to cut off the ring effectively and even in the Shane fight, Freddie had to remind him of that. These are mistakes you can't afford to make esp. against the likes of Mayweather shd incase it occur. But to me is it possible that Manny's last performance was choreographed somewhat to create the impression he was slipping in order to entice Mayweathwer to the table of negotiations. To me, Freddie seemed kind of subdued and at one point he practically blurted it out that Manny needed to pick up the pace something he would not normally do. Your thoughts please?
Now one to the great legend that was Roy Jones Jr. I have had the privilege of training with Roy and for those fans who think that Roy was not as technical as most fighters I can tell them that I understand where they are coming from but they are wrong.
Roy is as technical as they come. We know that the art of boxing is over a 100 years old so that means that there are virtual 100's of defensive and offensive moves. Floyd uses the Shoulder Roll as a defensive cloak and dagger but when I questioned Roy about his methods he actually took the time out to demonstrate a weapon that he used in the RUIZ fight called the Windshield Wiper, a sort of Jack Johnson catch/parry motion he uses to pick off with his open palms when rapid fire punches are being fired at him.
Bread, I can say that I felt the effectiveness of Roy's parry's as they threw me off. His hands seemed to move like a helicopter's propellers. He also has SEVERAL ways of immobilising an opponent after they throw a jab and then taking them out with SEVERAL counter punch options after immobilising them.
I have heard over the years that Roy does not throw a jab. Again, I would like to say that I understand this point. BUT they are wrong. Roy does throw a jab but we know it as a straight right hand! Roy has a way of throwing it that he says makes it more effective than the classical left handed jab. Basically, Roy does everything backwards.
He has reversed engineered most of the traditional moves in boxing and found ways of using this to trap and immobilise his adversaries. He has methodically studied and broken down traditional boxing moves (such as the double jab right hand) and found 'shortcuts'. His methods are so unorthoxed because what a classical boxer will do in 3 moves, Roy would use his methodology + SUPREME athleticism to execute the same result in ONE move.
In closing Roy said that he was like the kid who instead of using a ladder to climb the tree, he would go round the back and jump over the fence...or something of that source. But I hope now that he retires goes into coaching. I think he would a huge assets to the US Olympic boxing squads.
At one point I believe that the Chinese govt had offered him a contract to go over there and teach. And I agree with everything you said Bread. Anyone enables Roy's career from this point onwards is a lowlife.
I still think that Roy has the better legacy over BHOP though. Do you?
Peace out
Dave Sappor (East London)
Bread’s Response: If you guys have noticed, I haven’t been answering Floyd/Manny questions regarding this blood testing issue. I will make an exception for your comment. Tell me what happens when you confront a politician with a subject or event, that EVERYBODY pretty much has the same basic views on? They have to openly agree or else they will look like an uncompassionate jerk. Can you imagine if someone said to Obama, let’s get the troops out of the middle east and he said no let’s keep them there, I want more blood shed. He almost has to agree to that. Same thing with this “fair, level playing field” bit. Floyd could have grabbed Manny’s hand in front of the world. Talked about being a Sportsman and honorable athlete and asked Manny to go on this crusade with him to clean up boxing. To be an example for commissions, aspiring fighters and fans. What the hell could Manny do at that point? Instead Floyd chose to be ignorant and disrespectful to the man, and look where that has him? Golden Boy will be issuing a public apology because they like money more than they have pride. I can’t speak on it openly, but Jean Pascal will also pay for his reckless comments about Bernard Hopkins, regarding the same matter. It was a huge mistake the Mayweather’s made by accusing Pacquiao of illegal drug use.


Back to boxing. Manny does not really cut the ring off, he sort of walks you down. It’s effective but different. Julio Cesar Chavez and George Foreman cut the ring off. You can tell when a guy is cutting the ring off, because his opponent is constantly going in different directions, because his EXITS are being shut down. I don’t think Manny did this on purpose to make himself look vulnerable to Floyd. A fight is too dangerous especially against an elite opponent. I think Manny would just rather walk a guy down. It’s easier for him to do that. Look at his past fights, he always walks you down rather than cut the ring off.


I know the fans are wrong when they assume Roy is not technical. He was just UNCONVENTIONAL in his approach. He was such a genius , people insulted him by giving him compliments. It’s a shame that more people didn’t appreciate the wonderful gifts he had. Speaking of the jab. I always thought this was Roy’s most amazing talent. He was not especially tall for a lightheavyweight, yet he took away most guys jabs without  jabbing himself. Everyone insulted him by saying he abandoned his jab, but it wasn’t true. He was just such a genius he did it in a different way. From the outside looking in, I saw Roy take away jabs with feints, a check hook and lead right hands. But I know there had to be more to it. I want to ask Roy exactly what he did and can he break it down for me. He is truly a genius in my opinion.
I think USA boxing would do themselves a great service if they hired Roy as one of their coaches or consultants. Considering he was robbed out of a medal and how his style stayed comparable to the amateur style, I think he could only benefit those young men. I hope somebody in USA boxing realizes this and hires Jones. They should also pay him handsomely . This could have a positive domino effect for Roy, because after 2012 he could have his pick of the litter for either, training, managing or promoting.


Who had the better legacy between Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins seems to be a sexy question these days. It’s a tough question. I would like to factor in many variables to give an honest  and fair answer. Let’s start with Bernard and go through is title defenses at middleweight. Bernard won his title on his 3rd try from Segundo Mercado. Mercado was 18-2 when Hopkins fought him. He was a pretty good fighter but nothing special.  Bernard then fought Steve Frank 15-2, that 1st get your feet wet defense. Frank was not as good as Mercado. Joe Lipsey 25-0 could fight, that was a legitimate tough defense, Nard destroyed him. Bo James was 20-6-1, he was another average guy. Bernard then fought John David Jackson who was 35-2 and Glen Johnson who was 32-0. Two back to back tough defenses over some very good fighters. Johnson  could be great and is a possible HOFr. He then fought Andrew Council who was 27-5-3. He was a decent junior middleweight who beat Buddy McGirt when Buddy was old but he wasn’t an A lister. Bernard then fought a shop worn Simon Brown, who was a great fighter at 147, but his best days were way past him. He then had a no contest with a 22-2 Robert Allen. He returned in the next match and stopped him in 7. That was a GOOD victory because many people felt he faked the injury in the 1st fight. Nard then fought Antwon Echols 22-2, Syn Vanderpool  28-1, Antwon Ecchols and Keith Holmes. All legitimate title defenses against strong B level guys. B level guys are what most long reigns make up anyway. Next is the 1st legitimate great fighter on his resume at the time he fought him. Felix Trinidad 40-0. Trinidad was a smaller man but Trinidad was a huge favorite in the fight. Bernard boxed 12 perfect rounds and stopped him.
Next Bernard beat Carl Daniels ,a very good junior middleweight but no where near a great fighter. Morrade Hakkar was his next challenger and he was embarrassingly awful. William Joppy was a very very good and Bernard deserves full credit for beating him. He beat Robert Allen again, then a smaller Oscar De La Hoya in a catchweight fight. After the De La Hoya fight he beat Howard Eastman. Eastman was 40-1 but he was no beast. Joppy had already beat him. Then he fought his 1st legitmate A fighter who was his size since the beginning of his reign, Jermaine Taylor. Hopkins lost twice to Taylor in two close fights. He then beat the bigger Tarver in his very next fight, which may be his best victory. He beat Winky Wright in a catchweight fight at 170, lost to Joe Calzaghe, then destroyed Kelly Pavlik in another catchweight fight at 170. Next he beats journey man Enrique Ornelas, a faded Roy Jones and he draws and beats Jean Pascal.


Ok let’s move onto Roy. Before I get to what he did after he won his 1st title. I want to point out that despite popular belief, Roy had it much tougher than Bernard coming up. When he still had teen number of fights he beat Jorge Vaca who had like 60 fights and was an ex world titlist and Jorge Castro who was 70-3-2 at the time. Castro was a serious threat; let me tell you how good Castro was. He went on to beat John David Jackson twice, Reggie Johnson twice and he took a prime Vasili Jirov the distance at cruiserweight. Roy fought this guy at middleweight. This was a huge step up before a supposed protected guy won a world title. Roy then beat a 24-0 Glenn Thomas. Remember this was all before he ever won his 1st world title. As we know Roy beat Hopkins for his 1st world title, he then fought 2 non title fights at a higher weight because 160 was a struggle. He beat Thulani Malinga who was pretty good and  actually went onto beat Nigel Benn for a world tile and an average Fermin Chirinio and Danny Garcia. Next he fought Thomas Tate (29-2)in defense of his title, Tate was very good but not great. On the same lines of an Antwon Echols. Next Roy dominates a p4p top 2 guy in James Toney 44-0-2 to win his next title.  He then destroys an average Antoine Byrd 26-4, a big name in Vinny Pazienza and a solid pro in Tony Thornton 37-6-1. He then went up and fought Merqui Sosa.  Sosa had just been voted by RING magazine to have the best chin in boxing. Roy kod him in 2 rounds. He then beat an ok Eric Lucas 19-2-2 and a local tough guy brawler in Bryant Brannon 16-0. Roy then moved up and fought 49-3-1 Mike McCallum. McCallum was old but he was still regarded a top fighter. He was roughly the same age and had same skill level of Antonio Tarver when Hopkins beat him. This was Roy’s 3rd world title and he dominated 3 all time greats to win his 1st , three titles. He then lost on dq to an undefeated Montell Griffin and immeditately came back to destroy him. Then he fought all time lightheavyweight Virgil Hill and kod him in 4.  He then beat a 27-1 Lou DeValle to unify the lightheavyweight belts. He fought a much smaller Otis Grant who was 31-1-1, then Richard Frazier 18-3-1. Frazier was not championship worthy and should have never fought Jones. I believe he was a mandatory but….He then beat an excellent fighter in Reggie Johnson, who gave a prime James Toney life and death. The Johnson victory unified all 3 belts. David Telesco 23-2, Richard Hall 24-1, Eric Harding 19-0-1, Derrick Harmon 20-1, Julio Gonzales 27-0, Glen Kelley 28-0-1 and Clinton Woods 32-1. That was the end of Roy’s lightheavyweight run. He then beat John Ruiz for the heavyweight title and he beat a 21-1 Antonio Tarver before things came apart. Jones then lost to Tarver and Glen Johnson, he beat Prince Badi Ajamu 25-2-1 a decent fighter, Anthony Hnashaw 21-0-1 another decent non special type, a shot Felix Trinidad in a catchweight fight, loss to Joe Calzaghe, beats a shot Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy and loses 3 in row to Danny Green at cruiserweight, Hopkins@175  and Denis Lebedev again at cruiserweight.


I went through the trouble to show you guys all of this for a specific reason. There is a myth that Hopkins is so old school and he had it so much tougher coming up than Jones. There is a myth that Jones fought so many no hopers at lightheavyweight and Hopkins had a beastly run at middleweight. There is a myth that Bernard is so much more of a risk taker than Jones. But that is far from the truth. Roy fought better competition before they each won their 1st world titles. He consistently fought bigger men and more undefeated fighters than Hopkins after they established themselves. Hopkins defended his middleweight title against 5 decidedly smaller men in Carl Daniels, Simon Brown , Andrew Council, Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya. Roy Jones Defended his lightheavyweight title against a smaller Otis Griffin and a smaller Vinny Pazienza at supermidlweight. As for the no hopers Marrad Hakker and Bo James for Bernard. Roy had Ricky Frazier.


Jones missed Darius Michalchewski, Nigel Benn, Gerald McClellan and a prime Calzaghe. Hopkins missed Julian Jackson, Gerald McClellan, a prime Calzaghe, Charles Brewer and Chad Dawson. All of these fights were viable at some point. Hopkins beat 6 HOF quality type of guys, Glen Johnson, Felix Trinidad, Winky Wright, Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones and Oscar De La Hoya. Jones beat 5 in Hopkins, Toney, McCallum, Hill, and Tarver. For Hopkins he gets full credit for Tarver, Trinidad and Johnson. Wright and Oscar were a little too small and Jones was completely shot. For Jones, McCallum was a little old everybody else was close enough to prime time.
Jones was better from 1988-2004, Hopkins was better from 2004-present. I broke everything down and tried to be as fair as I could. When you put the numbers and opponents up next to each other, I’m sure it looks different than perception. I never got into the media hype either way because I watched each guy coming up and I knew what was up. I am a huge fan of both guys. I will say that Bernard is closing in rapidly but as they sit, if they never fought again, holding up both resume’s next to each other and then give them the eyeball test,  I would say Roy has an ever so slight edge.

 

 

 

 

What up Bread?
I was just watching the Corrie Sanders Vs Wladimir Klitschko fight, and it got me thinking that Haye could do something similiar to the way Corrie fought him. To me it looked like in the fight Corrie stayed on his toes, moving and wasnt scared to throw punches when Wlad threw punches i read all the time when you say guy punches with someone is that what you mean? Well thats how corrie did and one thing corrie and david have in common is fast hands even though corrie to me was faster. It seemed that Wladimir would come forward with that long jab but Corrie was moving side to side he would time Wlads Jab step to the left run in and fire a fast combinations with that straight left that would keep wlad off balance. Also when wlad would fire at him he would fire his own FASTER shots that seemed to get to Wlad before Wlads got to him on occassion. Now the mistake i think lots of fighters make with Wlad is just thinking that you will go in there and land a punch on his chin and the fight will be over not the case. Everytime Wlad gets knocked out it seems like he gets caught with a shot and is gassed even when he gets caught early he was gasping for air. They also think they can out speed him im sorry but just being fast aint going to cut it, you have to be a tough SOB because one thing about it is YOU WILL GET HIT and HIT HARD!!Wlad is no punk man, but we've seen he is not unbeatable. I think that in order to be Wlad you cant be one demensional you have to have a little bit of every aspect in order to get to him. Holla at ya boy Bread
Jason
Dallas,TX
Bread’s Response: Corrie Sanders was not a great fighter but he had great attributes. He had extremely fast hands, he could really punch and he was very ballsy. He definitely punched WITH Wlad and was able to knock him out. Punching WITH an opponent is the most difficult thing to do in boxing. Every fighter who has mastered the art of punching with an opponent is a really ballsy fighter. That’s no coincidence. If you punch while your opponent is punching, you open yourself up to be knocked out. If Haye has the guts to punch WITH Wlad we could get an explosive contest.


I’m not doubting Haye’s heart. But I do bring it up, because I believe he will need a special kind of inner fortitude to beat Wlad. Wlad is on an all time high and he will be really siked for this fight. I hope we get a great fight, but I have my doubts. I think it will be interesting and intriguing because of the magnitude but not a GREAT fight. Haye has the physical tools to beat Wlad, but great fighters are built from the inside out. He will have to be strong mentally over the 2nd half of the fight, in order to get through this match up with a victory.

G

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