DAILY BREAD FRIDAY EDITION
By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards

Hey Bread,

I'm hearing rumblings that Pavlik-Froch might be happening in November. It seems both fighters want the fight and it just remains to be seen whether or not they can come to some agreement. How do you think that fight would go? I'm a big Pavlik fan, but I would favor Froch in the fight. He's proven he can take and give punches with the best of them at 168, whereas Pavlik has not (yet). And honestly, I'm not sure I like what Robert Garcia is doing with him. Pavlik's left hand is more educated now, and he's rolling punches better, but I haven't seen him jabbing much and he's been giving away his height. He's fighting more like a Mexican inside fighter, and I don't think that style gels with his physical attributes. He's getting left-hook crazy like Donaire. Manny Steward would have been a much better fit for Pavlik IMO. Kelly is/was at his best when he used his height, controlled range and used his jab--i.e. Taylor I and the mid-rounds of the Martinez fight. Manny Steward specializes in those types and fighters and would have given Kelly some new wrinkles to his game that would work well with his style.
Secondly, if I was Zab Judah I would be gunning for a Danny Garcia fight. Take 10% of the purse if you have to. I know Judah got dominated by Khan, but that was a terrible match-up for Judah because of Khan's length and speed. Garcia is tailor-made for Zab. He comes straight forward and throws looping hooks--Judah would have a field day with that kid with straight punches down the middle. And Zab has the power to hurt Garcia, which Khan maybe didn't. I know Garcia is younger, hungrier, more heart and chin, and I know Zab is a front-runner who quits when the going gets rough, but Garcia has so many holes in his defense that Judah could light him up and stop him early.

So what do you think Bread--am I observant or just way off?

Keep the great insights coming,

JJ
Bread’s Response: I actually think Carl Froch is too mobile for Kelly Pavlik. I know it sounds weird but look at them fight. Froch doesn’t really appear to be a boxer but his feet are not stuck in the sand. He can manipulate the ring. Froch also RIDES the right hand which is Pavlik’s best punch, although he is doing more damage these days with his left hook. I know people look at these two guys as bruisers which they are but Froch is cuter. We shall see.


Anybody that is a sharpshooter with power has a shot at Danny because he plays Russian Roulette. He allows you to fire then he fires with you. Zab could catch him and cold konk him. No doubt. But if he doesn’t, Danny is too mean and heavy handed for Zab. Good exciting fight either way though. Philly vs NY, Latino vs Black, I say make the fight. But I would rather see Danny vs Hank Lundy. We have seen Zab on this stage many times before. We know what he’s all about. Time for some new blood.

 

Hi bread..just want to ask if why Joe Frazier and Ken Norton never fought in the ring? I don't know if they ever fought in the amateurs...but as professionals....
I know they never fought..More power.
Bread’s Response: They never fought because they had the same trainer in the great Eddie Futch and they were really close friends.


 

Bread,
I must have mistook your point a little bit. I wasn’t looking at it as who produces the most “Homegrown” quality fighters, but where can they be found. In other words, outside of Vegas, what city has the most live scene today. Those gyms in LA are off the chain for volume and talent. If I managed a fighter, especially a dude in a lower weight class, and we had deep pockets, I would definitely send him out West for the plethora of good work.
But, yes, you are correct that LA’s one of those places where most of the people come from somewhere else. (NY is like as a city…but not to the same degree with the fighters…although you do find your share of African, Russian, Dominican and PR immigrants.)
I know that Philly and DC have produced loads of major talent for many decades. Why else would Eric Harding utter three of the best words ever spoken by a prizefighter when asked if he wished to continue? “I’m from Phiadelphia!” It just seemed to me that as strong as your gym brings it, it’s still a fraction compared to LA’s assembly line. But your point is well-taken.
Peace,
Zach
P.S. I was very sorry to read that Julian’s fight on Shobox was cancelled. I was Geeked about finally getting to see him and you do your thing in front of a national TV audience. Why don’t you bring him to NY for one of DiBella’s shows at Roseland or BB King’s? It would be a wonderful experience for him to have his Broadway debut, so to speak, and it would be smart to have NY fans and press get a look at him and let word of mouth spread organically. Just a thought.
Bread’s Response: I agree LA is where to go to find great work. But as far as homegrown talent, Philly and DC all day.
Thanks but Julian is a professional and this is part of the game. We actually almost fought on a Broadway Boxing show before Julian was signed to Gary Shaw. You know I wish we could fight on small shows every six weeks but the business doesn’t work like that when you have a promoter, you just can’t fight on other promoters card at your leisure although we have done it a few times. An ideal situation for any upcoming prospect would be to have a local promoter and he moves you on the regular and a big promoter move you on TV. These kids should be fighting every other month. I really think this is why we see a lack of completion at the top level. Then at the top level guys only fight twice a year. It’s counterproductive in producing truly great fighters. But this is the era we live in so you have to make up for it in other ways, like getting incredible sparring that your fighter is not used to and keeping them super sharp.


Look how good Adrien Broner turned out. That kid has a local promoter in Cincinnati who moved him well. Broner is 23 with 23 fights already. That’s a lot for an American in this day and time. Look at the great Ray Leonard. Leonard had like 25 fights in a 3 year time span before he challenged for the title. He was ready!!!


 

I think Khan vs Bradley makes perfect sense. Khan will have to take less money though, but I do think he will win. The Lopez/Canelo fight is bittersweet. You have to be happy for lopez because if this huge shot he's getting, and you know he's going to put up a fight. But unless he hurts Canelo (which I think he can) and jumps on him, shit is gonna get ugly after around the seventh...btw I want to see Garcia fight Lucas Mattyhsse, although Lundy would be fun to watch in there. It would probably be Pacquiao/marquez on a lower level with just as much action. Lastly my little brother asked who would win between RJJ and SRL... At first I almost said Roy was too big, but maybe in the 160's Sugar Ray could take it?? Idk I trust your opinion more than mine on this one lol...
Bread’s Response: Lopez’s only shot is if Canelo runs out of gas. Canelo is still trying to learn how to go a full twelve hard. Look at him close during a fight. He’s explosive but conservative.
Matthysse would be a rough fight for Danny. I’m not saying Danny can’t win but if I were advising him I wouldn’t fight Matthysse next.


Roy Jones and Ray Leonard are pretty much equal as fighters but Roy Jones is 20lbs naturally bigger. Jones’s peak weight is 168lb and Leonard’s is 147. I don’t care if they met at equal weights on the scale, Jones is too big for Leonard. Jones is a freaking huge middleweight.


 

 

Adrien Broner is saying he’s moving up after this fight. He’s a great talent but he didn’t clear out the division. How do you feel about that and did he duck anybody?
Bread’s Response: I wouldn’t say Broner has blatantly ducked anybody. Junior lightweight is not a stacked division. However he is leaving some food on the table. Takashi Uchiyama is an undefeated power puncher and a SERIOUS threat to his supremacy. Diego Magdaleno is also a very good American fighter, but Broner is a little more advanced than him.


So maybe one day 10 years from now, people will say Broner ducked people if a trend develops. But right now he just seems to have outgrown the division. Let’s see how his career plays out before we start using the duck word.


 

 

What's up bread? I'm writing in to ask your opinion as to why the WBC keeps dogging out Ajose Olesgun?!? Is it because he is a relatively unknown? I'd it because he is African? As Max Kellerman stated its harder for African fighters to get promoted because of name pronunciation etc. Or is it because he is simply because he is a dangerous fighter with lungs of a shark...how do you feel about him as a fighter overall? Also how do you think a fight between him and Danny Garcia would pan out??? Holla at me breadman!!
TJ from Pittsburgh
Bread’s Response: I assume The WBC overlooks Ajose Olesugun because he is African and because he is unknown. I can’t think of another reason why a 31-0 fighter, who has been a top contender this long has not received a title shot. 


As far as a fighter I think Olesugun is one of the best in the division. He has great stamina, decent pop and he seems physically tough. A fight between Garcia and Olesugun would be a war. Danny is a straight dog and Olesugun throws a bunch of punches, so that would give Danny his oppurtunities. It’s a 50/50 fight.


 

Bread,
Your video breakdown on Khan vs. Garcia was unbelievably insightful. As a business person i understand the importance of consulting and outsourcing. If i was in the fight game and managing or training a top notch fighter, i would hire you and pay you $25 grand per fight to 1.) not do the video mail bag and 2.) watch videos and break down my flaws and 3) break down my opponents flaws and suggest a strategy to attack it and provide my fighter guidance on how to neutralize the opponents best gift. your ability to break down tape is on par with some of the best NFL scouts and strategist and these managers/trainers need to wise up and use you to shore up their weaknesses. WOuld you be willing to serve as a consultant and what A-level fighter would you like to work with first? And who needs you the most? I would put Berto and Khan (oh and Jean Pascal) at the top of the list in terms of needing video breakdown and insight from a different trainer to correct their flaws and develop a game plan for each fight.
You elevated Danny Garcia as one of the best in the game of punching with their opponents. Other than Juan Manuel Marquez and to an extent Manny (although i think he would rather lead but punches with opponents in extended combinations), what other current fighters are very good at punching with their opponents? Who are the top 5 all time at punching with their opponent?
Billy Bomaye, Washington, DC
Bread’s Response: Thanks Bill but nobody is going to pay me 25k/fight as a consultant unless their fighter is making at least 400k or 500k. But I do get where you are coming from.
Of course I would be willing to work as a consultant to top flight fighters. As of right now I train undefeated Julian Williams and Shawn Porter has actually hired me and I work for him as an consultant type because of logistics I don’t get to see him the gym all the time. I also have three really good fighters coming to Philly in the next month or so to work with me. I don’t want to say names yet because as you know this game is funny, one day someone wants the next day they don’t.


As for who needs me, I would never say a fighter needs ME. I have to be humble about myself. Because I view myself in a certain way, that doesn’t mean a fighter will view me in that same way. Because of my age and lack of experience on the big stage, a fighter may not want to work with me, which is understandable.


But there are fighters out there who need a major tweak that I see. I am not going to say all of the flaws that need to be corrected because the game is to be sold not to be told. But yes you’re correct, Andre Berto, Amir Khan and Jean Pascal all need serious makeovers. To add to the list Mike Jones and Manny Pacquiao. I know you may be saying why Pacquiao…


See Manny is so physically gifted it may be hurting him slightly right now. If an opponent is a ladder, Manny tries to go from the 1st step to the top in one step. You can’t do that. Naazim Richardson was prophetic in saying that each of Pacquiao’s fight after Mosley would be difficult and he was right. These guys are waiting on Manny to punch, and then they are going OUT to their left which is Manny’s right.


Manny has been so successful at beating up taller fighters from the outside, that he actually doesn’t know how to work his way in. He beats you up on the way in. I hope you are still with me. Now that guys aren’t engaging him, he gets greedy and throws the best step in one two, in boxing. But his opponents are laying on it, meaning waiting for it. And it’s not landing as clean and often.


Manny actually has a great jab, he needs to use it. Then he must learn to settle on the inside and not make it so frenetic in there. Last thing he needs to take a better angle. Naturally he either comes straight in or he hedges to his left when he is fighting a orthodox fighter. Look at him closely. This allows his opponents to get around that corner.


If Manny doesn’t fix this in this last part of his career. People will discredit him and say he couldn’t handle boxers and he came down OFF of the PEDs, that’s why he is struggling. I am brutally honest and that’s the reality of Manny’s situation, whether it is true or not. Manny needs to fix his flaws asap….
The best fighters today at punching with their opponents are Danny Garcia, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and Adrien Broner. All time I would say Ray Robinson(look at Rocky Graziano fight), Ray Leonard (look at Bruce Finch fight) and Evander Holyfield (look at Seamus McDonaghe fight). There are a few others but those guys really stand out to me.


 

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