Bread I've never been a fan of Bernard Hopkins' fighting style but always have him credit for frustrating his opponents into submission, that being said I must say that his entrance along with the R. Kelly "I'm a bad man" song was epic last weekend. I was happy that he abandoned the lame custom walk out song he had in past fights but when he walked out last weekend it seemed like a fighting movie towards the end when the fighter is in the last fight of the movie. I knew he would lose the fight but him coming out to the entrance made me feel kind of sad in a happy way. Its hard to explain almost like a fighter you grew up watching is fighting his farewell fight (even though he will probably fight on) did you get this same feeling? I observe everything when it comes to fights from entrance music to boxing styles. Stand up Bernard Hopkins for finally stepping in the ring with Chad Dawson after years and the epic simple entrance music! That being said Bread who would you say has the best ring entrance aurora? Not just music but that entrance that gives you that feeling that makes your heart race and has you thinking to yourself "Man I wish that was me right now" my number one pick would be Ricky Hatton coming out to Blue Moon in front of over 20,000 Brits that right there some epic stuff and really sad that we will never see it again. But I guess that's what memories are for.
Derrick from Minnesota
Bread’s Response: I was very moved when Bernard came down to “I’m a Bad Man”. They even put a spin on it and customized the song to him. I love Ring Entrance music. Everything a fighter wears and does symbolizes what he needs to do in my opinion. I personally like to have input on the fighter’s trunks, colors, sayings and ring entrance music.
My favorite three fighters ever are Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali and Ray Robinson. Unfortunately I never got see Ali or Robinson make a ring walk as it happened. But I did get to see Leonard come down to the “Rocky” instrumental against Hearns. Leonard had written on the back of his trunks “Deliverance”. I get goose bumps thinking about that right now. In fact I asked my fighter Julian Williams who fought on the Hopkins/Dawson undercard to wear that on his trunks, he did, and he delivered. When you put yourself out there like that, it’s a good pressure and the cream should rise.
Other ring walks that moved me where Tyson against Spinks. Mickey Ward against Gatti2 when Ward came down to “Here We Again”. Jermain Taylor against Winky Wright coming down to “Simple Man”. Evander Holyfield vs Tyson 1, when he looked as if he had the Holy spirit coming down to gospel music and the biblical verse Phil 4:13 was written on his trunks. Those are just off the top of my head, but if I sit down and think I could come up with more.
What's up Bread, been a fan of ur mailbag over a year, heard u on gygb radio show & started coming to BT to hear more of ur analysis/commentary. Very seldom are u wrong on ur predictions. Well I don't know if u can answer this but I was lookin for a legit site to put some bread down on Mosley & Cotto b/c the odds are so high but people I know say most have been shut down. If u know of one I can trust it be greatly appreciated. If u talk to Coltrane tell him to get his ass bk on radio, I luv hearing him & Sleep..
Bread’s Response: I won’t mention gambling sites on here anymore because they have not sponsored us yet and the game is to be sold not to be told. But I did send you a private email telling you where you can go. Yes I miss those guys at Guard Your Grill Radio, they gave me my first shot on the internet radio and I appreciate them for it.
Be careful betting too much on Mosley and Cotto. I have rarely seen two underdogs win big fights on the same card. Think about that for a second. A better bet would probably be both guys making it the distance, although I think one of them may get stopped. Good luck.
Can you provide any history on the origin of the Mayweather boxing style, originally known as the Philly Shell? Specifically, who in Philadelphia developed it? I'll even take the generally accepted folklore in the Philly boxing community if no facts exist.
Thanks,
Guzzy
Bread’s Response: Good question. I haven’t heard that term in a long time. Philly Shell. Lots of fighters in Philly back in the day, fought with their chin tucked behind their lead shoulder. Some even fought with their right glove crossed to the left side of their face, like say Carl Froch. Man you bring back memories.
I really don’t know how that originated I just know lots of guys back in the day used to fight like that. Today you don’t see it much anymore. To be fair to the Mayweather’s they took it to a new level, because of the pad routine, for specific punches. I have never seen anybody in Philly do that pad routine before the Mayweather’s did it. So I don’t want to take any of their shine.
Sorry I couldn’t answer that better but I will do some research around the gyms. I don’t even see many old timers teaching it anymore.
What do you think of Jesse Hart, the amateur star from philadephia?
Bread’s Response: Jesse Hart is a super talented kid. He can really really fight. He is also a very nice young man. I think he will do well as a pro and he has future champion potential. In my opinion the determining factor on how successful he will be what weight he fights at. Jesse is about 6’3” and if he fights at middleweight without damaging himself he will be super tough to beat because of his speed and height. I’m not sure if he can make that weight in a healthy fashion because not only is he tall but he’s muscular and dense.
For some reason the difference between a middleweight and super middleweight seems to be the largest in boxing. Most super middleweights look like they could be free safeties in football. They all seem to be at least 6ft and 200lbs if they are not boxing. Middleweights are about 5’9 or 5’10 for the most part. If Jesse has to fight at super middle or light heavy the playing field will be leveled somewhat.
Top Rank has great matchmakers and I expect him to get off to a fast start. He should be 10-0 with 8kos in no time.
My question is.....With PBF being such a great a fighter, why do you think he has been so reluctant to fight Pac-man over the past 2 years? What is it about Pac-man that has made PBF seemingly steer clear of him, or at least it has appeared that way. Granted, I agree that Bob Arum hasn't made things any easier, but at the end of the day, it seems that most people believe that PBF is the main barrier, with the demand after demand, excuse after excuse. And now, after Pac-man agreed to all the random blood testing, the focus shifted to purse split. In my opinion, he made Pac-man an offer than he not only CAN but SHOULD refuse. This is clearly a 50/50 purse split fight because both fighters are mega-stars and deserve an even split. And from what PBF said on HBO's "Speaking Out", it doesn't seem like he's going to budge on the purse split. I truly don't think these 2 will ever fight, at least not at their best, because Pac-man would have to be a complete fool to accept the $40 million offer. Second question, if PBF doesn't step up to fight Pac-man when they are BOTH at their best, how do you think boxing historians will remember PBF for this? Essentially, it will have been yet another legit and serious threat that he has somehow angled away from in his career. What is your take?
Bread’s Response: Some of PAcquiao’s biggest detractors like Teddy Atlas have openly said Floyd is WRONG for not accepting 50/50. I actually think Floyd should be able to beat Manny but it’s something about Manny that makes him hesitant. Before Manny agreed to the blood test, 50/50 was part of the deal, now that the blood test are a NON issue, 50/50 is off the table….. Floyd just doesn’t want to fight the kid. People can say whatever they want but that’s the bottomline.
I don’t have a problem with Floyd not wanting to fight Manny. Tyson wanted no part of George Foreman. The difference is Tyson didn’t publicly bash Foreman, he just went in another direction. Floyd bashes Pacquiao and puts up smokescreens. From the outside looking in I think Floyd’s three toughest fights were Zab Judah (fast lefty), Jose Castillo (constant pressure), Emanuel Augustus (unorthodox angles). Manny has ALL of those traits.
One other thing and you guys may call me crazy for this but I’m just going to speculate. Floyd has a strong belief in God. He gives thanks to God constantly after his victories. Floyd is still questioning Manny’s in the ring feats. Just listen to him. He can’t stop talking about how Manny has “walked through” fighters at the higher weights.
Manny attributes his success to hard work and prayer. He is very humble about it. For all we know his demeanor could creep Floyd out. I won’t say names but I know two fighters who have made smug remarks about a fighter’s belief in God and they got their asses beat royally for it in fights they should have won. Greg Leon can attest to this, we have discussed it privately.
I have a quick story. My friends in the neighborhood I grew up in, beat the crap out of this innocent kid at the playground one day. We were in our teens. The kid they beat up got up and said “God is going to get all of you”. That statement made everybody be quiet. I won’t comment on what happened to a few of my friends but let’s just say it wasn’t pretty afterwards.I think Manny makes Floyd uneasy with his humble confidence. Floyd is still searching for an explanation to Manny’s performances………..
I don’t like getting religious, I believe religion should be a private indulgence. But I have been through some serious stuff in my life. And I know there are no atheist in foxholes. I also know when a man goes to a certain place spiritually, that man goes to a certain place physically. I’m going to leave it at that…..
Brother Beard,
I want to put you on the spot, as far as Seth Mitchell, Bryant Jennings and
a possible Mayweather vs. Malinaggi fight now that the magic man has won a
title. Is Seth the truth or just waiting to be exposed as he almost was, I
mean I like his style of fighting, but he's there to be hit. And your take
on Jennings whom destroyed a former champion in Liacovich?
Bread's Response: Bryant Jennings is all fighter. Man that guy is the kind of fighter you want. He doesn't turn anything down but his collar. I think Jennings will be ok, they just can't rush him or overdo it because he will truly fight anybody. Everybody is not built like that. I actually think Mitchell and Jennings is a 50/50 fight.
I like Mitchell. I don't want to say that he is there to be exposed because it's not like people are saying he is George Foreman or Sonny Liston. He's a good fighter in a terribly weak era. We shall see how he progresses.
I hate the Malignaggi vs Mayweather fight. It's terrible fight for PPV. Props to Paulie for winning another title. He's truly an over achiever and he has made good in his career, but no way should he fight Mayweather.
Hey Bread,
the dude who wrote in about Pedro Diaz was wrong. Russ Anber was Lemieux's trainer in the Rubio fight and he was the one who threw in the towel. Also, Pascal has a Canadian in his corner along with Russ Anber assisting...
As for your boy Sillakh who you were so high on (it's easy to see why), he got knocked out by Denis Grachev. Nobody's giving Denis much credit but he's knocked off several undefeated prospects in a row (Augustama in Miami, Biosse in Rhode Island, and now Sillakh in Texas). Watch out for Denis Grachev from City Boxing in San Diego...-Pete in San Diego
Bread’s Response: Actually the dude may have been correct. I heard from a reliable source that Diaz played a big role in the training of Lemieux and Pascal, but he played the background in both camps. I also know that Diaz originally went to Canada when he defected so it makes sense.
I was very high on Syllahk but I warned two guys who I talked shop with about his chin. They will both verify it. I also did not put him on my boxingtalk top 20 p4p list because having p4p talent is different from being a top p4p fighter.
I know a few promoters who wanted Syllahk bad. They felt he wasn’t being promoted correctly and I agree. Syllahk should have about 26 or 27 fights right now and he should have been fighting guys like Glen Johnson and Yusaf Mack. Instead he has about 18 fights and his aura has been shattered. He wasn’t allowed to go through his progressions as a fighter and I think it hurt him. It may not be the end of the world, guys can get stopped and still be excellent fighters but it depends on character and confidence. Syllahk needs to get with a promoter asap and get the RIGHT fights, if not he is in trouble. He will be Jorge Linares without the belts.
Breadman wassup my man first off congrats on Julian's victory on the
Hopkins-Dawson undercard, cant wait to see him on TV...I feel that the
scorecards on the main event were too wide, i had it 115-113 because I
believe the challenger has to TAKE the title, and while Dawson won
more rounds, it was some where i felt he didnt do enough to take it
from B-Hop...where do you think both fighters go from here? Id like to
see Dawson-Campillo, but highly unlikely...As for B-Hop, he has two
major options Id like to see...Hopkins-Bute, which would do HUGE
numbers in Montreal considering both are known commodities in that
city & would give B-Hop a 3rd division title, or Hopkins-Cleverly,
which would fill up an UK soccer stadium & is seemingly an easy fight
that B-Hop dominates IMO...Seth Mitchell has the heart & will, and i
was really impressed with his body shots & recovering skills, but he
is at least 4-6 fights away from being ready for the Klitschkos.
Golden Boy should keep him active like a young Tyson & maybe challenge
for the WBC belt once Vitali retires, if he fights them this year he
could become the next Michael Grant (who i think should be Mayhem's
next opponent)your thoughts??? And how about Malingnaggi's recent
title winning efforts? big props to him as I was shocked he came out
the victor considering the circumstances, another Freddie Roach
fighter falls! Malingnaggi-Judah Oct. 20 in Brooklyn? that would do
numbers, who u got? Id say Judah KO8 in an entertaining bout...last
but not least, what do you think Roy Jones could have done had he
changed trainers after the Tarver knockout? I grew up around RJJ and
Im a Pensacola native, and although i respect Coach Merk, he never was
a great strategist & pretty much let RJJ go with the flow. What if he
got Manny Steward or somebody of that stature? He couldve taken it to
another level, & never would have lost to Tarver III, Johnson,
Calzaghe, or B-Hop II...I may be biased, but what do you think???
looking forward to your response
JJ from the Sunshine Panhandle
Bread’s Response: What’s up JJ? I actually met Roy Jones briefly at Kendall Holt’s last fight. I was yelling at Kendall to throw the same body shot that Roy knocked out Virgil Hill with. I think Roy got a kick out of that. I wish I could have talked shop with him.
It’s ironic you brought up Emanuel Steward. I was able to talk shop with him in Atlantic City but not about Roy. I don’t know if Steward would have been good for Roy. It would’ve depended on their vibe. Steward likes killers. Roy wasn’t always a killer he turned it on and off. I think Steward was extra patient with Wlad Klitschko and Lennox Lewis but I saw his frustration with them at times. Roy also didn’t jab much although I think he had a good jab. Who knows?
I wouldn’t want to discredit Alton Merkerson because he did a great job with an unconventional fighter. Merkerson was smart enough to let Roy be himself and he turned out to be one of the greatest fighters to ever live. It’s not always who is the best coach but it’s who is the best fit.
What up Bread? Is this you in Shawn Porter’s corner? I think they got your name wrong but I recognize your head anywhere lol. If so good job, I heard you tell him to throw the hook and you pointed out where the opponent’s head was leaning. That’s what he wound up knocking the guy out with. By the what did you mean by throw away?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfxbmsxKt4&feature=youtube_gdata_player Bread’s Response: Yes that was me. Kenny and Shawn Porter asked me to be a part of Team Porter and I’m honored. Shawn did a good job against a tough veteran his first fight back in over a year. I don’t want to get into my terminology because fighters and trainers that I go up against will pick up on it. But Shawn and I have an excellent vibe. He’s not from Philly and we have had limited time in the gym but he picks up on everything. The kid is a quick, eager learner and I think he can be a world champion within a year and a half.
