Danny Garcia looks like he was shaking in his boots after Lucas Matthysse destroyed Lamont Peterson on Saturday. Lucas would KO Danny in 5 rounds, no doubt about it. Tell your Philly boy (Garcia) to stand up like a man and stop letting Golden Boy protect him.

Bread’s Response: I don’t believe Danny is shaking at all. Danny Garcia is a gun my friend. I’m not saying he would beat Matthysse but I am saying he won’t give a s$@& about fighting him.

Danny is a puncher himself whether you guys know it or not. Danny is also quicker on the pull than Matthysse. However I think judging from a technical point of view Matthysse seemed more relaxed when he delivers his punches, he Just concentrates on landing with full surface impact. Where as Danny tries to punch hard. Therefore Lucas may have more down the stretch in a war.

But this is a 50/50 fight. I love Matthysse. He’s a gun. He takes short money to fight tough fights in his opponent’s hometowns and it doesn’t bother him at all. But throughout history one dimensional punchers have always been slightly overrated. We shall see if this theory applies to Matthysse. I think Golden Boy maybe keeping Danny away from him but I don’t think Danny cares about Matthysse.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. For the record I see a BIG weakness in Matthysse’s lateral aggression that can get him tuned up.  Danny may not be the one to expose it but trust me it’s there. Since I don’t have a fighter in his weight class I don’t mind saying it.

Basic 101. When a fighter moves in a certain direction the foot that is closest to that direction should step first. For example if a fighter is in an orthodox stance and he moves forward his left lead foot will step first and so on. Now look close at Matthysse.

When Peterson was ‘boxing” and moving to his left, which would be Matthysse’s right Lucas didn’t cut the ring down. He didn’t step over with his RIGHT foot because that was the direction he wanted to go in. He crosses his feet and just steps forward with left foot first which causes him to lunge because he’s a step late. I know I’m spitting some deep stuff and for those who aren’t in the gym you may not follow. Now most may not explain that like I did. But a genius like Floyd Mayweather would intuitively pick up on that each time he came around the corner. After a few round you see Matthysse losing volleys and no one would understand why. If I had a guy fighting Matthysse I would tell him to go out to Matthysse’s right and wait for that slow turn. We would then get set and fire like a SOB.

I know someone out there is saying, well you are going into Matthysse's powerful right hand. But here is the thing. Sometimes you can go towards a guy’s money hand, to make him throw it so you can counter it. Going away from the power is not always the best option especially when you have a slower lunger type like Matthysse. Just watch and observe and you will see the flaw.

Before I end this congrats to Lucas Matthysse. Great victory and we have a new official boogey man. Lucas is top 20 p4p in the world. Stand up.


Brutha B, Since I've last hit you up, I've been through several changes.  I made my last promotion, getting ready to move again, and my MAIN MAN (father) passed away in March.  Needless to say, it's been a rollercoaster but I'm still here!  A few notes on current and past stuff... Concerning the GREAT Floyd Mayweather, I'm a "middle of the road" kind of guy when assessing his historical status.  I think some overrate him while
others underrate him. 

First, the unde raters.  Yes, there have been a few misses in his resume but let me make this clear, I'd pick NOBODY above him.
His talent is supreme and IN FIGHT adjustments are second to none.  Because of that and his sustained excellence, he is the best post-Roy Jones Jr. fighter and I don't think it's even close.  More than his skill, his professionalism is inspiring.  He takes his business seriously & he gets mad love from me for that. 

Second, the overraters. While I know 95% of all boxing history, my "live" boxing eye goes back to 1979.  While I put Mayweather in my top 4 of that period (Ray Leonard/ Roy Jones/ Pernell Whitaker), that "he's the greatest ever" talk is a stretch to say the least.  I can't imagine any serious boxing observer over 40 years old who'd come to that conclusion. Every fighter has a weakness or at least a vulnerability and Floyd's is a basic one; he is susceptible to a steady jab!  As you've alluded before, an OLD Oscar De La Hoya did well when he utilized his jab and so did Miguel Cotto.  A 1998-2000 Welterweight Oscar makes that fight VERY challenging for Mayweather and Oscar at 140?  Hmmmm!   Now, Floyd's own brilliance in throwing counter rights has deterred some from throwing it but would it deter the GREATS?  A good jab sets everything up and is the KEY to open up the door to Floyd's defense.  All the greats who had it would have a chance to "come on in" & possibly beat him.  My eye tells me he's a 1st/2nd tier
all-time great but is he mountaintop or "Mount Rushmore" as you say?  I'm not quite sure because from 130-147, I can name 7-10 guys from my time who'd give him HELL.  I challenge your mailbag audience to look at a 130 pound Hector Camacho Jr.!  Floyd would have to win that one from the neck up because in my opinion, Camacho was faster, hit harder, and was a southpaw with SWAG before they called it that.   Remember, that fool was so off the chain he dropped the "N" word on HBO!  That's a difficult combo for even the great Mayweather.  Pre-Edwin Rosario, Camacho was a beast.  I'd give Floyd a VERY SLIGHT
edge but I'd bet the FARM that it would be deeper water than he's ever been in.  And while it's not quite fair because he was a naturally bigger guy, I see no scenario besides two broken hands, where Floyd can deal with Thomas Hearns.  Getting past the jab is a TALL order & waiting behind that formidable door is one of 5 best right hands EVER.  Since outboxing Tommy isn't an option, he'd have to "go get him" like Ray & Marvin Hagler did and FYI,
those two all-time greats caught HELL doing it.  I don't think he has the power to pull that off.   I also think a prime/serious IKE QUARTEY gives Floyd serious trouble for at least 7 rounds until Floyd made adjustments and timed the jab.  Still, stylistically a tough fight. 

Again, middle of the road!  He's boxing ROYALTY but to say he's the KING?  C'MON MAN!  I've seen too much boxing to go there.  I REALLY wish Shane Mosley vs. Mayweather had happened in '99/00.  More than Manny Pacquiao or anybody else in this generation, that would have been a KEY indicator fight for me.  The Mosley he beat was LONG GONE; old, slow, un-hungry, and infatuated with his power.  The lightweight Mosley was a body snatching, combo throwing, BEAST! 
 
I watched "AKA Cassius Clay" again the other day.  Cus D'Amato told Muhammad Ali that he became a pro when he fought George Chuvalo the first time so I decided to watch that entire fight.  OMG!  Ali showed some serious intestinal fortitude because Chuvalo gave him some of the best body punching biz I've ever seen! I came to two conclusions.  One, even prime Ali was a tough SOB and two, Rocky Marciano had a better than slim chance at beating Ali.  For years, I thought he had little chance but if he, with his much better punching power, could stay on Ali like Chuvalo did & pound him round after round, he might have a chance to STOP him late.  I can't even believe that I'm saying this
but as you know, I keep it real regardless.  Because of his superior resume, Ali will always get top nods from me but I no longer think even the Ali who fought Cleveland Williams was unbeatable.  If he had more mental toughness, even a prime Mike Tyson would make Ali go to the well.  After all this time, most
remember Tyson as just a power puncher.  More than his power, I was in awe of his SPEED and ability to throw hard combinations.  So in short, whether it's Jack Johnson, Marciano, or Tyson, Ali would get TESTED by some of the greats.
 
Last point...in no particular order, I believe Leonard, Jones, Mayweather, and Whitaker are the top 4 fighters after 1979 (not counting Roberto Duran in this scenario because he'd be in it).  I've kept going back and forth on who rounds out the top 5.  I've considered everyone from Julio Cesar Chavez, Ricardo Lopez, Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, etc. etc.  I finally got my answer...it's EVANDER HOLYFIELD.  Who else can give up 30 "WEIGH IN" pounds to great big men like Riddick Bowe & Lennox Lewis and
still hold his own?   And 50 pounds to an old but still powerful George Foreman?  With most of these bouts happening after the age of 30?  That, along with his heart and skill puts him there in my opinion. --   Big Chief

Bread’s Response: My main man. I’m a lil damned you don’t come through as often as you once did but I know how “the grind” can be. Sorry about your Pops….

I am also middle of the road when it comes to Floyd Mayweather Jr. We are usually in 100% agreement but here we are at about 90%. Our Own boxing eyes start at around the same time I’m assuming we are about the same age. I can actually remember Duran vs Esteban De Jesus III on national tv as a small small kid. No bs. So we are eye to eye.

But I will take Duran out as you did because during lots of his prime I was in the wound and before lol….Leonard, Whitaker and Jones are my top 3 guys after the Ali/Duran years. We agree. I also agree Floyd is right there with those guys. But I’m not so sure it’s as easy to put Floyd as the best post Roy Jones. I know you were once very high on Manny and Manny being stretched does cloud the vision but Manny’s drop off can be excused to a degree with his number of fights (60), elite level comp and his style. Other high energy guys like him dropped off much earlier than 34. Aaron Pryor, Henry Armstrong, Joe Frazier…

I’m not saying Manny is the best post Jones era fighter, but eye ball test on peak performances (Oscar, Hatton, Cotto fights), accomplishments (8 titles and 4 lineals), who he beat when he won those belts, Chatchai Sasukal, Lehlo Lehdwaba, Marco Antonio Barerra, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Ricky Hatton, Cotto and Antonio Margarito and when you throw in the solid B types that he destroyed, Manny has a great case. Just playing Devil’s Advocate.

The thing about Floyd is on paper he’s really tough to beat as far as head to head match ups. Especially with the guys he missed because his style is so “neat”. But as you know fights aren’t fought on paper. I think the 99 version of Shane would have been hell on wheels for Floyd. I also think the Kostya Tszyu that kos Sharmba Mitchell in the 2nd fight would have been a rough one for Floyd also. And the 2007 version of Paul Williams…., oh well we will never know.

Marciano was a lot better than folks realize. He was super crafty with his signature rolling under and coming up with maximum leverage with either hand. He also stayed off center which was a sign of the times, these fighters today fight squared up and they wonder why their defense sucks. I think Rocky would have rumbled but the 66-67 version of Mr. Ali would have been too much in my eyes. Tyson always has a chance but in 15 round era he better land big often and early. If not Mr. Ali wrecks his life. Ironically Tyson has admitted he can’t handle the “Greatest. I watched him go in tears talking about Ali, he admitted he could have NEVER beaten him.

Back to the top 5 post Duran. Ray, Roy, Pete [Whitaker] and Floyd and Evander. I won’t argue Ray, Roy and Pete as the top dogs of the times. Rounding out my top 10 in no particular order based on ALL criterion would be Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Marvin Hagler, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Sal Sanchez and Ricardo Lopez. I would have to really sit down to place each guy exactly. I will say that Lopez is 10th for me because of his lack of known competition. Had he went up and beat Carbajal or Gonzales I would have a better placement for him. Everybody else seems interchangeable. I also have a hard time not putting Bernard Hopkins somewhere on the list. You have me thinking….

 
Sir,
As boxing historian, have you ever put a list together of your favorite fighters from each weight class? I don't recall ever seeing lists from you. Maybe that would make an interesting boxing talk column. How about lightweights? Who are the ten best lightweights of all-time in your mind? --GC

Bread’s Response: I have never did a best of each weight class but I did do a 10 best middleweights ever list. You can google it to check it out. I did in 2012 around March or April here on this site. Man it took loads of times. I had to study fight after fight. Then I had to study some of the fighters the top guys beat. Then I had to study their resumes. It took forever. So to answer your question it would be hard for me to answer you quickly because so much research is entailed.

I actually thought some guys were higher than others but after doing my list I realized different. It wouldn’t be fair to those great fighters to misplace them on a list. I will say Roberto Duran and Pernell Whitaker are 1 and 2. I have to really study film and the resumes of Joe Gans and Benny Leonard to place them correctly.

 

Breezy...hol up ima fix this right now Bread...i said it first!!! This fight n also no longer calling u breezy..that's chris brown...so im calling ya DaBreezy...cuz your Da Breadman.... Ok now to that scrap...Gabriel Rosado, is a truth serum...when u fight him we gone find out the truth about you....we would see if Red Hed is the real deal...Cuz um, Rosado is at him......off rip!!!! What ya think fam?
Bread’s Response: I love it. Hope Gabe gets a shot at a superwelterweight titlist, since that’s where he made his bones. Unfortunately I think Cotto will get the next shot at Canelo.

 

Recently, Floyd Mayweather Sr addressed the weight issues with a potential Canelo fight. It was asked to explain why he wants his son to fight at 147. He said that Floyd had to eat to make 146 during the fight with Guerrero. I believe that Floyd called out Cotto and wanted that fight at 154 but Cotto is small. Cotto will actually be the smaller man against Canelo. Mayweather will get hammered by the media regardless but his father is right about not wanting his son to fight at man that will enter the ring at close to 180 when Floyd will come in no more than 154. That is highly unfair to ask of him just because he is the best fighter in the world today. Trainer Virgil Hill stated that Floyd's May 4 performance was masterful, but he makes a good point about the sweet science. How many of the media, trainers that criticize Floyd's performance would allow their son to be trained to go toe to toe and take punches for no reason? This is a being a hypocrit 101 all day everyday! As a fan, I know it makes for fan friendly fights to get your head bashed in like Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward but how long did their careers last? I say all that to say this. Boxing has definitely changed over the years and the pugilism is a lost art. Mayweather did not run until maybe the 12th round. He simply moved well and ensured that his reflexes were intact to avoid the slow punches coming back at him. If he fought Canelo, it would be easier, just turn him all night and counter him to death. I think that fights is even more a stinker in the eyes of the fans. Then he receives far more criticism for not going toe to toe with an 180 pounder. Where's the fairness?
Bread’s Response: Well let’s address each point piece by piece and not clump them all together. Anybody who has a problem with how Floyd fought is an idiot. Virgil Hunter was right, it’s simple. How would you want your son to learn to fight? Floyd fought a brilliant fight. He fought the right fight. I know you have read where I stand up for the so called “black American boxer puncher style”…. So the fairness is here all day.


Now let me say a few things about this so called weight issue. First off I have first hand knowledge on the unofficial weigh in. I have a fighter that fought on the Canelo/Trout undercard. The people from Showtime come in the dressing room when we are fully dressed, handwrapped, trunks on, gloves on, robe and shoes on and they tell you to get on the scale. No bs.


What they do is tremendously misleading. I even asked why didn’t they weigh him before we got dressed so it can be accurate and they replied this is why it’s unofficial. So therefore the 172lbs that Canelo unofficially weighed in at was more like 167 or 168.


So that’s still a good amount of weight to point on but it’s not the same as 172. Now sometimes we use the excuse that guys like Kelly Pavlik and James Toney put on too much and it made them sluggish in some of their big fights. Then other times we use the excuse that guys put on too much weight. So…..


Now the reason why Floyd will get flack if he doesn’t fight Canelo because of weight is because he went on a smear campaign against his biggest rival, discrediting Manny’s fight with bigger fighters. Now remember Manny is smaller than Floyd. So it is fair to say to Floyd you gave Manny shit for wanting catchweights or for guys to come down, but now you want Canelo to come down.


If Floyd takes the humble route and simply says, 154 has been a struggle for me, my two fights up there were tougher than expected and I don’t want to chance it again. I would not give him a bit of grief. You can’t argue with the truth and humility. But as of now he hasn’t said that, so let’s wait and see how this plays out. That’s as fair as I can be.

 

Bread,
I was having a discussion with a buddy of mine about the fight. IMO Peterson fought a horrible fight(obviously), I think I read something you wrote about going after the gun instead of running from it. Peterson should have step inside of Matthysse instead of trying to move. I didn’t understand his strategy, he basically went into survival mode from the start. What was your take on the fight and Peterson’s strategy? Thanks Russ
Bread’s Response: Good comment. I have watched Lamont Peterson for a while now and I have noticed some things about him. One is he has plenty of heart but at the beginning of fights he becomes very nervous until he settles down. Until he conquers that he will always have problems early. That may be the reason for his “cold chin”.


I also noticed that Lamont never hits anybody with long straight punches. The sign of a good boxer. His success in all of his big fights is being physical and walking his opponents down with body shots. Look at the Tim Bradley, Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan and Kendall Holt fights. Lamont had his best moments being on the inside. Lamont seems to get much more leverage on his body shots than he does his head shots. He loops his head punches and seems to slap, where as to the body he digs.


I’m saying this to say Lamont Peterson is not a superior boxer at the top level. What he is, is a tall angular strong pressure guy. But because he’s tall and he’s a black kid people expect him to be a boxer but like Paul Williams that’s not his strong point. Watch the rest of his career and watch his past big fights. His success is in grinding.


But to be honest I don’t know what Lamont could have done against Matthysse besides go in survival mode until his mind and body warms up. Matthysse hurt him on the outside where he was able to get leverage and he hurt him in an exchange. He also roughed him up and punched him behind his ear. After looking at that Matthysse is probably just a little too strong for Lamont. Another stylistic problem Lamont has with Matthysse is Lamont does not slip punches he absorbs them and blocks them. When you are facing a bone rattling puncher, you want to make him miss completely unless of course your Ali who has a tungsten chin(Foreman fight). Don’t be so hard on Lamont he lost to a better fighter.


 

So what am I to make of this Lucas Matthysse, according to Richard Schaffer he’s the new Manny Pacquio…Really??? pardon me if I’m not falling all over myself bowing down to the new King of the Boxing World. I mean has he beaten the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Ricky Hatton. In fact who has he really beaten. There is no question he has power 32 KO’s in 34 fights but is that what we are using as the criteria for mentioning someone in the same breath as legends. No disrespect to Lamont Peterson… which means I’m about to diss him but he was knocked down several times and should have been finished except that Ortiz has no Heart why you call him Victor could not finish the job. So as much as I like Lamont Peterson as a person, his story is nothing short of remarkable and the way he gutted out a draw against Ortiz was as impressive a showing of the heart of a fighter as I have ever seen, he isn’t exactly ironed chinned so him getting KO’d by a man who has dropped every opponent he faced at least once shouldn’t be that big of a surprise to us… should it??
I don’t know if Matthysse is the next Pacquio…he could be however, before we start the coronation prematurely like we’ve done countless times with the likes of Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan, and in many ways Canelo Alverez let’s wait till the guy beats the legitimate 140 lbs champion Danny Garcia and avenges one of his 2 losses preferably the one against Devon Alexander and then let him come see Money and if he comes out blooded but unbowed then I will give him his due but not until then fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
So my favorite pastry what do you think about this Matthysse fellow???
On another note if the rumors are true about Dwight Howard coming to Houston then the Heat them boys feeling in Miami will be the fire from the Rockets breathing down there neck...
Thomas Stewart
Bread’s Response: I agree about Matthysse. I said previously that offensive fire shooters get slightly overrated. Let’s see Matthysse clean out 140 and some of 147 before we start the comparison to the fighter of the decade in the 2000’s. I will say that Matthysse has improved since his fights with Alexander and Judah.


Now he starts much faster, he’s more forceful and he puts it in another gear. That tells me his conditioning is UP. I didn’t like how he settled for the decisions in the Alexander and Judah fights. Now all Golden Boy has to do is put Matthysse  in the right fights. So far for some reason he hasn’t had a chance to share the ring with the biggest names in the division.

 

Sup Bread! Great work on the mailbags as usual...big fan of them.
1.I feel you on the scoring on the "May Day"..I mean 97-92 Love? 117-111 mayweather? With the Mayweather fight, the only round I could maybe give to Guerrero was the first round but thats being generous..even the round that I felt Mayweather rested on (7th round I think), Guerrero still didnt win that one. I read online the rounds they gave him was -two judges gave him the first round, -one the second, and they were all in agreeance on the 7th and the 12th round. 12 round seriously?!? Thats crazy. I think sometimes some people think its "fair" to give an overmatched opponent some leeway..me personally if someone is losing badly so be it.If a guy is pitching a shutout, dont give rounds to the other guy just to make him feel better lol! I really wish that boxing had a better scoring system overall...whenever it goes to the scorecards i always get a certain uneasy feeling smh.
2. The guts that Pacquiao has...to return against Brandon Rios?!? After suffering a knockout like that?..That's got to be the most high profile "intriguing" match this year.
3.Lucas matthysse vs Lamont Peterson...your thoughts?
4. I think that shane mosley is going to turn himself into a "vegetable" if he continues his "career" smh...I wish he would retire before this happens..he has nothing else to gain at this point.
5. Bradley vs Marquez...your thoughts?
Keep up the good work Bread
Mike B.
Jacksonville Fl
Bread’s Response: 1. The scoring on the Mayweather vs Guerrero fight was atrocious. Nothing more to be said.


2. I can’t believe Manny is getting flack for fighting Rios. Rios is a complete animal. He hurts everybody he hits. He’s coming off of a loss but it’s a good loss. It was a tight great fight in which he performed well. Also no one seems to mention that Robert Garcia and “Memo” both have worked against PAcquiao before. That gives Rios a built in advantage. PAcquiao’s career is on the line in this fight. That’s how serious it is and he’s taking on a Puncher…… I don’t care what anyone says Manolo is a helluva dude.


3. Lucas Matthysse walked right through Peterson. Impressive I want to see more.


4. I agree with you. I think Shane is treading on dangerous ground. He’s a 40 yr old, who spars a lot, gets hit a lot and has a great chin. Bad freaking combination. I won’t comment anymore.


5. Bradley vs Marquez is a great historically significant match up. I feel as though Marquez is the better fighter but that doesn’t mean he will win. As great as Marquez is he fights down to most of his competition unless it’s Manny Pacquiao. (Think about this Marquez has not beat one HOF in his prime). In the Barerra fight there was too much controversy and Joel Casamayor was well past it. I remember him struggling with guys like Freddie Norwood(loss), Juan Diaz and Michael Katsiditis. I can see him struggling again this fight but if the muscle bound animal that showed up at Pac4, he should hurt Bradley bad. I can’t see Bradley taking that kind of fire power. Let’s say this out loud I don’t like to whisper. This will be the first fight in which both leading testing agencies will be used. The boxing world will be very interested  to see if Marquez is the same guy or better.

G

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