BOXINGTALK'S DAILY BREAD
By Stephen Edwards

Breadman: Just a few comments. In one of your mailbags a few weeks ago you mentioned something about Michael Nunn being in trouble with the law. I read an interview where he was in prison on a drug charge. Despite his predicament, he seemed to be doing well psychologically. He was quite a talent. You and a few others mentioned Roy Jones' comments about his father after his 3rd fight with Tarver. I view those comments as simply making an excuse after suffering a loss. What has not been mentioned was his post-fight comment about Tarver having true grit while he did not have it. I remember looking at the screen after having spent my 50 bones with the expectation that Roy would redeem himself and thinking "Now you admit this after you done took our money?" I agree that Roy does not have the mental toughness of other phenomenal talents such as Ray Robinson, Ali and Ray Leonard. In a way, the Tarver and Johnson fights were blessings because I along with many others had him rated higher than his heart should have allowed. There were always some doubters about Roy and in hindsight they were right. That's why your point about waiting until a career is over before rating a fighter is a good one. On Mayweather/Pacman: I must admit that Mayweather appears to be fooling himself by thinking he is the person he's projecting himself to be. No great fighter would refuse to accept Pacman's challenge. Mayweather is looking for the mental edge and so far has not found it. Pacman appears to have checked him thus far. In my opinion, Mayweather beat Shane Mosley at the negotiating table and at the press conferences. Shane was still strong enough to pose Mayweather problems in the fight but not enough to win out over 12 rounds. Breadman: on your statement to the mailbagger's racial question to Greg Leon, I hope you're open to seeing the fact that you're a human being and that seeing oneself as "black," "white" or any other label is merely a concept created by human thought and nothing else. It is these concepts that oftentimes lead us into conflict with each other and obscure the fact that we're all connected. Simba Sana DC.
Bread’s Response: What up Simba? I heard about Nunn, what a shame. I’m glad he is in good spirits. He is in prison for dealing drugs. No way a fighter that accomplished should have to resort to anything illegal after their career. Boxers needs a pension like the NFL and NBA. I hate the fact that Roy made that comment. But I can’t change reality, he said it. I have an uncle who constantly hated on Roy. He used to say Roy was a punk. And the reason he was letting those light heavyweights go the distance was because he was scared to get hit. That comment just added fuel to his fire for Roy. It’s the same now with Floyd’s fans. I don’t like what Roy said and I still don’t think he was a punk but. I do realize I am a human being first. The reason I addressed the comment was because it contained racial statements about blacks being taking advantage of. That is something I speak openly about, you guys know me. The fan suggested I didn’t post his comment because I was scared to attack the race issue. I have no fear of any issues. That’s why I felt the need to address it.
 
Hey B man is your brother from Panama City? Bro I was talking to my father in law about your posting about Duran and his tactics to entice Sugar Ray to fight him. And he told me about the time Duran finished the fight with Leonard (1) he was shouting at benitez and grabbing his junk shouting at Wilfred telling him he did not have the cojones to fight him. (of course he did and beat him to my dismay) but it brings the point of your comment, is it sooo true that the fighters these days are not into doing stuff like this anymore. But we have someone close to it here in PANAMA, Celestino (pelenchin) Caballero is pretty much telling juanma he is another RICKY MARTIN and yet he cant get a fight!  Anyway bro, keep up the good work and your emails make my saturday dinner with my father in law interesting to say the least!!
take bro,  Ed

Bread’s Response: Tell your Pops in law I said what up. Duran was a real life animal. The reason why fighters can’t do that is because it is not in them. After Duran knocked Ray Lampkin out, he stated “if my back was not hurting me, he wouldn’t be going to the hospital he would be going to the morgue.” Can you imagine how awesome the promotions would have been if Duran spoke English. I can’t remember the referee who said it, but he said during one of Duran’s fights he was constantly cursing in Spanish. He said Duran was saying odd things. I’m laughing as I type. He claimed Duran was talking about genitals and just really weird insults. Man Duran was something else. He is probably along with Ali my all time favorite personality is boxing. If I were managing Caballerro I would tell him just what to do to get a fight with a young gun. All he has to do is talk to Duran about it lol.
 
Bread my man lets talk about truths my man when it comes to Floyd Mayweather Jr. let be clear I'm a fan of his no matter if he right or wrong until the day he decides to hang up the gloves for good and I respect your work but you have used to the truth in your words alot in how you feel about Floyd/Manny saga in blaming Floyd so lets get to some more truths. -Truth in the first negoatiotions who signed the contract Floyd or Manny that would be Floyd -Truth who agreed to every demand Manny laid out from gloves,ringsize and a 10 mill per LB weight penalty, date of the fight -Truth Bob Arum took Manny the signed contract and said to him this our chance to get him the ring all you need to do is sign the contract Those are all the truth and with your source saying Floyd ran out of mediation didn't the judge come back and say that was a flat out lie yep its in the archives on this site and thats the truth you was quick to call Teddy Atlas source bogus about the roids put it simply wheres your proof. The truth is IMO that Floyd wanted to pull there chain this time around he knew he wasn't going to fight this year and probaly did have Al Haymon or whoever negoiate on his behalf. To me felt they got him the first time now he is returning the favor is it fair to the fans of boxing no; was it fair when Manny took his ball and ran the first time nope so I don't want to hear the BS he will agree to a 14 day cut-off now when he had a chance to do it Dec/Jan so are you telling me he wanted the fight more now than back then answer that; but this isn't about Manny right now. I do believe Floyd would rather lose to anybody but Manny; sorta like Magic hated to lose to Bird; Jordan hated losing to the Pistons, Eagles /Cowboys. It reached that level when Manny won fighter of the decade. Lets be truthful calling Floyd a coward or ducker isn't goping make him move his feet on anything so why do you(I know you have never wrote he's a coward but thats what you insuate) and other boxing columinist keep using that tactic its doesn't work he doesn'tv care about that. Think about this he could do trilogy with Manny and probaly a 100 million but he won't do anything to enhance Manny unless they are on his terms is that selfish and being an asshole yep but that who Floyd is hey I share someof those same traits LOL. You take your personal feelings about him as a person and write about him a boxer even when giving him props its always a yeah but to go with it thats the truth. Who was the guy who told you Shane was getting his ass beat by Mike Dargan in training camp that was me. But after he beat Shane it went from yeah it was great performance to Shane was almost 38yeah he was but Shane is always 4 years older than Floyd no matter the age. Like I said I respect youyour mailbags are scorching hot but you are feeling yourself a little bit right now its cool cause you are putting in the work to be the best. You say you like the call out liars this is a challenge to call me out if I lied about anything you don't even to put this in a mailbag for the world ; just respond with a simple reply like you have many of times holla at your boy.

Bread’s Response: What’s Elston? Where ya been big guy? It is ok to be a fan, it’s not ok to uphold someone when they are at fault. I write the truth about every fighter, period. No matter if I am a fan or not. You guys assume I don’t like Floyd. But the truth is he gives me a lot to write about. People keep bringing up ALL these demands that Floyd agreed to during the 1st negotiations. Ok let’s look deep. He agreed to the 10 mill/lb penalty. You guys seemed so impressed by that. First Manny’s camp was duped. They thought Floyd had trouble making weight because he easily gave up 600k vs. Marquez. Floyd also tried to get Manny to fight him at 154lbs. Remember? So Manny’s camp says ok ,the time off made him gain too much weight, let’s make the penalty so severe Floyd won’t just ignore it like he did Marquez. Asking Floyd to make 147, is like asking Hagler to make 160. He can do it in his sleep. After Floyd agreed to it, his camp said “ooh look we really want to fight. We accept the penalty.” Well it’s easy to accept something when you know you will never face the repercussions. I’m sorry but the penalty was no big deal to me. Manny and Co. got played. More smart propaganda by the Mayweather side.
 
Another BS media tactic. Floyd’s people ran and told whoever could hear them, through PRESS RELEASES that we signed the contract first. Floyd was in a hurry to show how eager he was to fight. If you really want to fight, you don’t have to do that. Manny lives in the freaking Philippines.  His promotional company is located in the US. It didn’t mean anything to me that Floyd signed a contract first. What meant less to me, is Floyd signed a contract BEFORE all of the terms were worked out. Am I telling the truth? So what was the point of signing the contract when the biggest sticking point (blood testing) had not already been agreed upon. Elston you tell me, did that make sense. That was more bullshit on Floyd’s part. As for your comparison with me and Teddy Atlas. An email can be proved. There is a time and date, and there is a sender and recipient. Atlas nor anyone else could produce it. Till this day no one has seen it. What I said is a source told me that Ellerbee and Haymon tried to get Floyd to take the fight. I never said RAN after him. That is something that can’t be proven, there was no videotapes etc.  I actually am not in favor of all this GAG order bs anymore.

I feel like when people have 100% integrity there is no need for so much secrecy. The contracts and the terms should be sent to the media outlets. And the negotiations should be videotaped. Therefore we won’t have so much outright lying by both sides. You did tell me that Dargan was beating Shane’s butt. So did a few other sources. I openly reported it. Didn’t hide it one bit. Despite the fact I was picking Shane. I didn’t witness it and I phrased it correctly. I don’t know you personally but I sense you are credible. Why can’t I also report that another source, who I happen to know told me that Ellerbee and Haymon tried to get Floyd to take the fight. Be fair Elston. I’m on a roll now I gave Floyd props after he beat Shane. Greg Leon said that Shane was off too long and that a 38 years old would not perform up to par after a layoff  like that. I said that was Floyd’s best performance and I was proud at how he fought. I even said he took Shane’s gump. Your memory is short. I never in anyway discredited Floyd’s performance. Ray Robinson, Ali and Ray Leonard are men I revere as far as boxing. If you tell me Ray Robinson beat his wife, I will say he did. If you tell me Ali was an adulterer , I say he was. If you tell me Leonard did cocaine, I will say he did. Is that good enough for you? I don’t hide anything. These men are not my family, they are sports figures. Now ask me if Floyd Mayweather is avoiding a fight with Manny Pacquiao and I will say yes. No one in the history of boxing has put off 50 million dollars. No one. Floyd claimed Mosley was ducking him, when Mosley claimed he wanted to take a vacation and get his tooth fixed. Remember after the 2nd Vargas fight. You guys sent me about a thousand emails, telling me Shane ducked Floyd in the past. How could Shane want to go vacation with a big fight like that looming. Now you same guys take up for Floyd for wanting to go on a vacation. All I do is call it how it is. Which happens to be the TRUTH. I love you guys, keep em coming.
 
 
Bread, I think you add some serious knowledge to what was already an informative site, so keep up the good work. You've forced me to youtube where there are so many great boxing clips its unreal! A comment you made the other day regarding the Michael Spinks' KO of Marvin Johnson got me writing in. I would love to know your top 10 favourite KOs of all time. You previously mentioned the Donaire-Vargas and the aforementioned Spinks KO too (which incidentally gave me a list of fantastic knockouts on youtube, including one of my personal favourites, Hearns-Duran. As Don King said of Akinwande "that punch could have fried an egg" lol) -- Nik Brown, UK Bread’s Response: My favorite 10 KOs in no particular order are: Ray Leonard vs. Daniel Gonzales; Vincent Pettway vs. Simon Brown; Tony Zale vs. Rocky Graziano III; Bob Foster vs. Mike Quarry; Michael Spinks vs. Marvin Johnson; Tommy Hearns vs. James Shuler; Ray Robinson vs. Rocky Graziano; Julian Jackson vs. Herol Graham; Wilfred Benitez vs. Maurice Hope; and Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton. I have some more but those flew off the top of my head. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Scott Shaffer reccommends Jorge Castro-John David Jackson, George Foreman-Ron Lyle, Mike Weaver-John Tate, Ray Mercer-Tommy Morrison, Razor Ruddock-Michael Dokes and of course, Marvin Hagler-Tommy Hearns]. 

 Bread im back. Im glad you pumped that mail bag out. Don't let G Leon get at you like that baby! Just playin but i do have a question for you. How do you feel about the Freddy Roach in terms of the Margarito fight being made. Im sure you saw the same interview i saw where Freddy said that Margarito should not only be banned but also charged with attempted murder for using loaded gloves. Don't get me wrong, i respect Freddy Roach and what he's done, but he seems to be talking out of both sides of his neck quite a bit. Oh and one other thing...there is not a welterweight in the sport today or over the last decade that could have or would have beat Ray Leonard! Keep the mailbags comin Bread. Amac.

Bread’s Response: I also heard Freddie say he believed Margarito did not know anything was in his wraps. He said Tony came to his gym and explained to him the situation. Who knows. No welterweight over the last 6 decades could beat Leonard. You would literally have to go back to the 50’s Kid Gavilan’s era to find one. G can’t get at me with these mailbags. He is just talking #*#*. He knows I flow off the top with these questions. That’s why I can’t wait until the radio show, so you guys can see. G and I have verbally sparred about fight history a few times…….. G is my boy though but I am a little bit too much for him at this point in his career. Lol
 
Breadman, Keep speaking the truth brother. Straight up, it's time for us boxing fans to move on. Paquiao vs. Mayweather is destined to be the equivalent of Lewis vs. Bowe. Let's face the facts fellow boxing fans, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! This isn't the first marquee matchup that didn't happen and it's not going to be the last. It's time to move on. Get yourself some appetizers and your favorite beverage and enjoy the sweet science. No one fighter is bigger than the sport. Here's a list of quality NON-PPV fights that are coming up in the near future along with my predictions. Who R U Picking Bread? Aug. 7 HBO - DOUBLEHEADER Devon Alexander vs. Andriy Kotelnik (prediction - Alexander KO7) Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson (prediction Cloud TKO11)
August 14 HBO Chad Dawson vs. Jean Pascal (prediction Dawson UD12) Sept. 18 SHOWTIME
Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez (prediction - UPSET Marquez TKO5) Sept. 25 SHOWTIME  Andre Ward vs Andre Dirrell (prediction Ward UD12) Oct. 2 SHOWTIME
Arthur Abraham vs Carl Froch (prediction Abraham KO9) JayDee Louisville, KY

Bread’s Response: I agree with all your picks except Marquez and Abraham. I like Lopez to stop Marquez in a war. I can’t call Abraham / Froch just yet. Froch is better than he looks. I’m telling you guys it’s no coincidence that he goes tooth and nail with so many good fighters. Abraham has been stripped of his badness. I am 50/50 on that fight.
 
 
Yo, I know you and many other boxing scribes keep throwing names like Berto, Angulo, Bradley (lol that’s the most ridiculous) as worthy challengers to Pac. None of them have done anything to deserve a shot. Berto hasn’t beaten nobody of note (and really lost to Carlos Q.) Angulo has had two fights since his first “L” and Bradley hasn’t beaten anybody yet either. I know all three have been in tough fights against solid contenders, but there are no names on their resume that would give them justification for a fight with Pac. One of them would at least need to fight a Cotto, Mosley or Cheto to even be in a discussion for a fight with Pac. The only other worthy challenger and I mean ONLY at this point would be Paul W. At least he’s been in with Martinez, Cheto and Winky. You gotta earn your spot in this sport and the challengers yall are naming haven’t done nathan. PS- I’m siding with Roach, Pac would stretch Bradley in One Round. Mark Orlando, FL


Bread’s Response: I think Manny will beat Bradley too, but that does not mean he should not fight him. Let’s play chess guys. When Floyd moved up to 147 he was angling for a fight with Judah. What did Floyd do? He fought a fast southpaw in his 1st fight (Mitchell). Smart move. Floyd had already had trouble the year before against another southpaw in Corley. He wanted to see that style under live action. Manny could use a fight with a slick , fast black fighter. Period. Berto or Bradley would be perfect work in order to get ready, just in case the Mayweather fight gets made next year. You have to think in these terms. Manny’s camp is making a mistake every which way. As for who deserves a big fight the most, it is Williams. But he is not a welterweight and he is not a champion. He has no leverage. Nobody is going to voluntarily fight a 6’2 volume punching freak. He has to force the fights by either knocking off all available competition or bring championships to the table , or become a mandatory like he was to Margarito. Bradley and Berto are just as deserving as Margarito at this point.

Send questions and comments to: dabreadman25@hotmail.com