DAILY BREAD TUESDAY EDITION (9-25-12)
By Stephen "Breadman" Edwards

Breadman,
Two questions for your eyes.
(1) What do your eyes tell you about Gennady Golovkin? Doug Fisher touts him as the next coming of Julio Cesar Chavez. Other writers have complimented him similarly. Typically, you are reluctant to anoint someone as a star until they have a career-defining win, but do you see a future champion?
(2) Now that Sergio Martinez's masterpiece over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has sunk in, what did you think of him in that fight? Did you see anything new? Has he slowed down at all? Do you think the rematch will go any differently? It seemed to me like he didn't take his usual break during the middle rounds. Could that have been the reason why his reflexes were a little bit slower in the 12th? Sergio continually mentions Cotto as an opponent, but Cotto has yet to respond. How do you see a fight with Cotto at 154 playing out?
Keep up the great work at Boxing Talk. Your mailbags set the standard for other boxing mailbags.
Best,
GC
Bread’s Response: My eyes tell me Golovkin is a tremendous talent but his accomplishments have to catch up to his talent. By the time Chavez was 30 years old he had over 80 wins and he was champion for about 8 years. That’s a hard call. Chavez had dealt with many different styles at the same age.
I like Golovkin a lot. But let’s see him beat Sergio Martinez, Daniele Geale and the best American we have to offer then we can revisit this conversation.


I see some things in his style that does show me some Chavez. But Golovkin is not as savvy on the inside and he’s not as good defensively. Chavez was one of the best I have ever seen being defensive coming forward. Any fighter who fights that style, look at Chavez vs Edwin Rosario. That was in my opinion the best dissection of the 80’s. Chavez was unreal that night.
Golovkin is on his way for this era, but……


I don’t believe Sergio can make 154 like he claims he can. I am a Martinez appreciator not a hater but this stuff about his weight is starting to aggravate me. I remember Paul Williams forced to him come to 157 for a catchweight fight because Martinez was too big. I remember Lou Dibella saying that Martinez would have to cut his arm off to make 154 because he did a special weight training to bulk up for Pavlik. But yet Team Martinez makes him out to be this small guy. He’s not small.
That being said Martinez would beat Cotto. He’s too much. Too strong, too fast and he can GO at too quick a pace. Bad fight for Miguel.


Sergio looked great against Chavez except for the last round. His stamina was A+ in my opinion. It’s not easy to fight like Sergio and not have any drop offs over 12 rounds. He really moves around that ring. If he didn’t get dropped that would have been one of the best performances in a BIG fight in the last 10 years. I think Sergio was focused and whatever he did in that camp he should repeat it, he looked sensational.


 

Hey bread what's your thought on buddy mcgirt as a trainer had a discussion with a relative he says that buddy mcgirt was never a good trainer but as I recall he won trainer of the year in 2002 and resurrected the late Arturo gattis career which itself was amazing.
Bread’s Response: In order for me to give a fair assessment of a trainer I can’t just go by reputation. I have to talk boxing with them. I have to see how the solve problems on the fly. I have to see how the identify flaws and strengths. I have to see how the work in the gym on a day in and day out basis.


I have plenty of respect for Buddy. I actually worked against him in sparring. I brought Julian Williams up to Passaic, NJ to spar Kendall Holy and Glen Tapia. I told Julian to throw “the Robinson shot”. Buddy knew exactly what I was talking about, lol. No other trainer has ever picked up on that. So I don’t know if he’s a great trainer or not but I do know he knows boxing.


 

Breadman,
I am watching the replay of Chavez and Martinez and I have a question....I thought there was a limit to how much weight you could put on after the weigh-in? For some reason I thought there was a 10% rule. Is that not a rule anywhere in the US?

--
Marlon
Bread’s Response: To my knowledge a fighter can rehydrate up to as much as he wants to, IF he makes weight at the weigh in. When fighters don’t make weight at the weigh in then there are clauses that prevent them from rehydrating up too unfair weights.  With guys like Chavez Jr. and Kelly Pavlik putting on 20lbs after weigh ins that 10% theory is out the window.

 

What's up bread?
It's been a minute since I wrote ya but i'm always reading getting my dose of the bread. Ok you know zab is my boy I have a few questions about his situation. Since he is supposed to be signing with 50 would that kill his chances of ever getting another fight with lil floyd? I don't think zab has a trainer besides his uncle I always thought he was at his best when he had a good coach the duvas and ronnie shields he was very good. With his dad while I respect being loyal 2 family I think he needs to get a better boxing mind in his corner. wouldn't it be ironic to have Roger train him I have always wondered what it would be for zab to go through a mayweather type training camp. if zab doesn't have a big name he needs stephen breadman edwards I think you would have zab wrecking with the way you break things down. Is it against some ethical code for a trainer to reach out to a fighter about training him? If it is don't worry bread ill bee hittin zab on his ustream chats twitter all that man he needs you. I see it as a win for both he will be getting one of the best up and coming trainer/boxing minds in the game and u will have a big name fighter. Also j rock could spar him. I'm bout get n it bread let's do it!
Holla at ya boy
Jason in Dallas

Bread's Response: It's not against an ethical code but it's not something I would want to do at this point. See this is a business. If you reach out to a fighter and ask to train them, they may USE you and not pay you correctly.

They are more inclined to treat you fairly financially if they reach out to you. I'm not against reaching out to a fighter but it would be easier for me to reach out to a younger guy that was not so established as Zab.

I'm humble about myself. Although I have the respect of many, I haven't accomplished much yet. That's why I put everything into the guys I work with because I know people want to see results. The truth is, Zab and I are the same age and he may not feel comfortable dealing with me. That's understandable. That's why I have to turn one of the guys I'm with now into a champion, so I can prove myself.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, my time will come.

 

Bread,
 
What's going on?  Do you think with all the new work coming Virgil Hunter's way he will eventually have too much of a workload.  It seems like a natural process of being a trainer to be overstretched when your name gets out there and you are in demand.  How can you manage having 3 or 4 marquee fighters who basically want exclusive access to you during their camps.  It seems like you could balance it at start by having each one 2-3 months apart, but with injuries, fight cancellations, and pushing back dates to make big matchups there is no avoiding schedule conflict.  Also, if you don't mind sharing your opinion on this one...do you really think Khan's camp really made the ultimatum to Roach about getting rid of Manolo and Chavez to give Khan exclusive access?  I really can't see Khan making that request himself because he already knows how Freddie feels about Manny.  I figured it was his team making a foolish request without his knowledge.  Your thoughts?
 
Sean

Bread's Response: Hunter is one of the most organized and brightest guys I know. I think he can handle the overload. He manages his time well.

I don't know what to say about the ultimatum, I can't deny or confirm it. SMH

 

Yo Bread,

Rosado looked good tonight, because that Vet from the Cayman Islands was tricky. Now I’m even more impressed with Julian, who was takin care of business in sparring Gabe.

Rosado got a little reckless and got rocked with some big left hooks and a few rights. This kind of suggests that a slick boxer-puncher would give him problems.

What’s up with you lately?

Peace,

Steve
Bread’s Response: Gabe Rosado and Julian Williams have had sparring sessions that I could charge admission for. Seriously. They work great together.


Rosado is becoming the BoogeyMan at 154lbs. I hope he gets a title shot real soon. It’s been a pleasure to watch him progress in front of my eyes. He has become stronger, more accurate, increased his stamina and he has learned how to close distance without taking a lot of punches. Gabby as we call him is a real problem and I’m very proud that he made it through his earlier losses to become the fighter he is.

I hear the Andre Berto will be challenging K9 Bundrage for the IBF title in which Rosado is the #1 contender. I know Berto is more well known, but not only would I pick Gabby to beat Berto but I would pick him to stop him. I know he’s 21-5 but that’s my pick. I hope he comes off as a huge underdog. Stand up Gabby.


 

Surprised you didnt post my reply. I did mailbag own you pretty bad so I don't blame you.. Tell Yusaf Mack I said good luck in yet ANOTHER UNDERSERVED title shot...... Haha .. I still respect your bag .. you should of posted my response since you asked me questions and called me out.
Btw on another funny note. You wanna seea your boy Kirkland on youtube? Type in " chinny fucking guy" and youll see the whole hbo broadcast of him getting destroyed in 1 round by ishida. That's no joke, go look..
Just 1 question... when is the last time you pushed so hard for a fighter to get a title shot after being knocked out in 1 round by a 6 loss fighter coming off a loss .. It only happened a year and a half ago.. Kirkland is garbage. CANELO , julio ceasar chavez jr, martinez would all knock him out easily... you know it, I know it, enough said... Guerrero has a better resume also, we both know that.. props on trying to throw ossie duran in as a quality fighter though.. That was funny.
Bread’s Response: I didn’t post your comments because you seem to like INSULTING fighters. It’s one thing to have an opinion and respectfully critique but in my opinion you go overboard and I don’t like that. Fighters put their lives on the line and all of us need to be cognizant of that before we say certain things.


Now let me address your ridiculous untrue comments. You CAN”T own me. You never addressed my question. What did Robert Guerrero do that was so special where he has received 4 title shots and James Kirkland who has a similar record and has NOT received ONE?


I am not pushing for anything for Kirkland. I never said he was a great fighter. I never said he was the best fighter in his division. All I said was he deserved a title shot. How can that be argued? He’s 31-1 and he won an eliminator! He should have never had to fight Carlos Molina after he beat Alfredo Angulo in Mexico.


I brought up Kirkland because I can’t think of another fighter in recent times with such a glossy record, high ko% and pleasing style that has NEVER received a title shot. Can you?
You keep bringing up he loss to a fighter with 6 losses. That shows your ignorance to boxing. Gabe Rosado has 5 losses and I would be willing to bet you that he would be 70% of the top 10.


Sometimes these guys with a few losses coming up are so tough and have seen so much that they will rumble anybody hard. Case in point Orlando Salido. As for Ossie Duran he’s one of those guys that is highly respected by the hardcore fans and people in his region because we know he can really fight. He just takes tough fights, over the weight and he has no backing. See boxing is as much as a business as it is a sport.


Onto Yusaf Mack. Mack has only had one title shot before this one he is about to receive. Yusaf deserved that title shot. He won an eliminator against Otis Griffin and he fought for the title. He was the number 1 contender! Yusaf is a friend of mine, he trains at our gym. But I’m a real man. I’m not going to say Yusaf is a great fighter because he isn’t. I’m not going to say he performed great in his losses because he hasn’t. But he’s a good fighter and he came up the hard way.


This title shot that he is receiving is a showcase fight for Carl Froch.  Froch needs a showcase fight, because he has been fighting murderer’s row so he picked Yusaf. You act like somebody pulled some strings for Yusaf. Relax. But since you’re so insulting, Yusaf is presently looking for sparring partners. He’s paying very good. I could set up the sparring for you if you like. I’m sure you could make easy work of Yusaf since you think he’s such a shitty fighter.


The next time you write into my mailbag, remember these fighters read it and they are human beings. You can have your opinion but you can’t disrespect them. I’m 81-0!


 

Yo Bread I know you have an facebook account but I was wondering if you are on Twitter. If not it’s great for promotion. I know fights that have been made through Twitter. On another note, I recently saw some footage on youtube of James Toney sparrng Gerald McClellan and Tommy Hearns sparring Mike McCallum. Man I can see why you love those guys so much. McClellan was trying to rip Toney’s head off with that right hand and James was staying in the pocket like a real pro way back when. Hearns’s jab was like a real cobra. I heard rumors he ducked McCallum. What do you think would have happened had those guys really fought?
Bread’s Response: I just set up a twitter account. Look me up under my name Stephen Edward or @BreadmanBoxing. Thanks I was so behind lol.


Yes I saw the youtube videos myself and all I can say is wow. Hearns is more physically gifted than Mike McCallum but over 15 rounds that would have been a tough fight for Hearns. McCallum touched your body all night and he jabbed with good timing. If you twist my arm I would say Tommy Hearns by decision. McCallum has one of the better chins of all time. He has never been stopped and only dropped once by Roy Jones and he was old at the time.


McClellan was an absolute animal. Out of the three great middleweights of the 90’s, Hopkins, Jones and Toney, I think he and Toney would have made for the BEST fight. Toney also has a tungsten chin and he is one of the most relaxed fighters ever. You have to be with Gerald because of Gerald’s violence. He’s trying to break your neck with his right hand and he’s trying to put his left hand through your liver when he hooks you to the body.


I don’t want to draw too much off of the sparring because I don’t know who was peaking or not. Let’s just say that is a 50/50 fight. For as good as McClellan was I still have a question about how he would have faired late in a dog fight. Toney is one of the best late round fighters to have ever lived.

Send questions and comments to: dabreadman25@hotmail.com