In the latest unmissable mailbag, top coach and boxing brain Stephen Edwards makes his picks for the huge card in Saudi Arabia, examines the intricacies of height and reach, pinpoints the finest performance of Thomas Hearns and speaks out about PEDs in boxing.
This weekend’s boxing card in Riyadh is being praised as one of the best cards in recent memory. Which fight are you looking forward to the most and why?
Bread’s response: Obviously Beterbiev vs Bivol is a historically significant rematch.
Ortiz vs Madrimov gives a glimpse into the future of 154lbs.
Adames vs Sheeraz establishes a major player at 160.
Stevenson vs Scholfield would have been intriguing because of where both are in their careers but unfortunately it’s not happening.
Zhang vs the Body Snatcher for pure carnage.
Buatsi vs Smith let’s the world know if Buatsi is the real deal.
I love these match ups.
Hey Breadman, Read your posts weekly, I wanted to ask you a few questions about the current era. In the 126lb weight division, who do you think will remain the champions by the end of 2025 and why? I used to think Robeisy Ramirez was going to be the next champ, but Espinoza put an end to that. Will Nick Ball have problems with the size difference against Espinoza? Is Angelo Leo certified to remain a champ? He looked good against Luis Alberto Lopez, but Lopez was wild. Will Fulton unify? Leeds, UK
Bread’s response: I don’t know. They need to sort it out in the ring. But my guess is Fulton will be in the final match to decide it all. Fulton’s IQ and adjustments will make a difference in these close match ups.
Hello Breadman. If you could, would you let us all know what percentages you give each fight on the ‘Last Crescendo’ mega card this upcoming weekend? Thanks.
Bread’s response: Kabayel vs Zhang: 50/50. I like Zhang early and Kabayel after 5, leaning towards Kabayel.
Buatsi vs Smith: 60/40 Buatsi. Buatsi should win a decision if he doesn’t get hit with a huge counter.
Ortiz vs Madrimov is 50/50. Ortiz’s pressure is something that most of the fighters from Madrimov’s system don’t like. They need time to think and they don’t usually fight well on the inside. So, Ortiz has a stylistic advantage. But Madrimov went 12 rounds with the best fighter in the word. His confidence should be sky high after the Crawford fight and after seeing how much trouble Bohachuk gave Ortiz. I slightly lean Ortiz, however.
Sheeraz vs Adames: 55/45 Sheeraz. I feel like Sheeraz should take over down the stretch in the second half. Adames looks like he’s trying to find confidence in his approach. He was overthinking vs Terrell Gausha. But Sheeraz is a big target and I saw Ammo Williams hurt him twice with left hands. Adames is a better fighter with more experience than Ammo Williams. Sheeraz is a big target and he’s vulnerable early. I can see Sheeraz going down. The question is will he get up and stop Adames late? I believe he can.
Beterbiev vs Bivol: 50/50. My guts tell me that Bivol will watch the film of their first fight and attack more because he got the better of the exchanges when he initiated them. My gut also tells me, if Bivol gets greedy Beterbiev has a better chance to KO him. Let’s see what happens…
Hi Breadman, I don’t know how Loma can enhance his legacy. Have you ever seen a fighter who, when fighting people his own size, is so superior? The only time it’s been competitive is when the competitors are significantly bigger. It’s a shame the new wave are looking at him as a scalp – I believe he can beat all of them if he can tune himself in; just as I liked him above Haney. Think what you like about that fight, for me it was a masterclass in Loma’s favour. I believe Haney even mentioned Loma could read everything he was doing, the man is a genius.
Bread’s response: Loma is a special fighter. He’s one of the best 130lbers of all time in my opinion. I give him full credit for fighting Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. Most fighters in Loma’s situation wouldn’t take those fights giving the age disparity and where he ranked. He could’ve made them fight each other, then after the winner establishes himself, Loma could’ve fought the last man standing. But instead he was the first out of the stars to fight both. Major props for that. I don’t have much criticism of Loma.
The slight criticism I do have, however, is slight but real. He seemed a little arrogant in his comments after the Haney fight. He said he thought he had the fight won, that’s why he took off the 12th round. Well, I didn’t think he took off the 12th. But more importantly why would he think he had it won? That was a close fight. After his close decision losses to Salido and Lopez, I can’t understand why he assumed he had the Haney fight in the bag.
Loma’s team also should’ve made Salido uncomfortable with rehydrating the next day. There is no way Salido should’ve been allowed to come in over 3lbs heavy and not have some restrictions to his rehydration. The weigh-in, weight is important. But the rehydration weight supersedes the weigh-in weight. Therefore, when a fighter comes in heavy, he has a head start on the rehydration because he’s starting from a higher place than the opponent. So, the only way to even the playing field, is to restrict the rehydration. For as great as Loma’s career has been, it could’ve been even better if he did the things I mentioned.
Was curious so did some checking, sir – the record of Terrence Crawford’s last 10 opponents after fighting him is 11-14 -1; Alvarez’s last 10 victims are 10 -7 while Inoue’s last 10 opponents are 18-1-1 since fighting him. In your opinion, do you believe this means: 1. That’s a meaningless marker. 2. If a fighter’s victims go on to lose even more, does it indicate that the fight got beat out of them, they collectively were not great fighters or perhaps they were at the end of their careers? Or, 3. If victims go on to enjoy success after fighting one of the champions, it enhances the pound for pound or ATG legacy of the fighter that beat them? For example, Inoue beat Donaire, who won a world championship after losing to Inoue, then defended it… before losing to Inoue again. Fulton also won a world title after losing to Inoue. That objective standard lends itself to the idea that Inoue is the actually the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. Alvarez’s (who I am not a fan of) victory over Cotto was a quality win even though Cotto was 35 because Cotto won a world title after losing. Crawford’s record is a bit inflated even though he is a great fighter. His opponents did not accomplish much after fighting him. Unless he just put on beatings that were so savage, that fighters aren’t the same after sharing the ring with him. This also puts Mayweather’s victory over Alvarez in a different light. Alvarez wasn’t “too young” when he fought a 36-year-old who started his career at super featherweight… Alvarez had won a world championship and defended it then went on to win the lineal middleweight title two years later after losing. Mayweather was just a next-level fighter (and clever).
It seems wise to wait to see what a champion’s victims achieve after fighting when assessing the relative significance of the victory. Would be interested in your thoughts on the subject. Take care, brother. Lamont, San Antonio, Texas.
Bread’s response: Excellent question. I have seen victories grow legs and I have seen victories lose quality. I try to assess a win on what the train of thought was going into the fight. Because losses do take their toll. And if a fighter goes on a losing streak after a big loss, often the first fighter that beats them doesn’t get the credit they deserve. But it could simply be case of getting the “fight” beat out of them.
Mike Tyson has that issue with Razor Ruddock. Ruddock was wreaking havoc on the division and Tyson stepped up to the challenge. Tyson beats him twice and Ruddock didn’t do much after that and for some reason Tyson doesn’t get credit for beating him in his killer prime because he didn’t do much after Tyson beat him.
Some fighters lose their aura and their winning energy after they lose. But you can’t discount their aura before they lost. Ruddock was full of confidence before he fought Tyson. Not so much afterwards.
Then I have seen guys like Mike McCallum stop Julian Jackson in 2 rounds. And Julian Jackson stop Terry Norris in 2 rounds. Both Jackson and Norris went on to be HOF fighters and those victories grew as time went on. It’s a two-sided coin but if you’re asking me which scenario would I give more credence to? I will say I give credence to both. But I give a little extra credit to the scenario where the fighter goes on to do great things after the loss. It’s simply easier to quantify.
Hello Mr Edwards, Was watching some footage of the Hitman Hearns, and I’ve got a quick question for you. What fight would you say was his best and why? Take care, Gabriel
Bread’s response: Tough question because Hearns had a career full of impressive big nights. But I’m going to say his fight vs James Shuler in 1986. It was just one round, but Hearns looked sensational.
Hey Bread, It’s been a real long time since I wrote in but was having a discussion the other day with somebody and would like to get your input on it. I know traditionally, the taller fighter is supposed to fight at long range against a shorter fighter. But what about when the shorter fighter has arms just as long or longer? Wouldn’t it be to the advantage of the taller fighter to then fight on the inside? Dream matches: Tyson vs Tua, Meldrick Taylor vs Mosley, Chavez vs Tank. Appreciate all you do, Dave
Bread’s Response: Good question. Reach and height do matter but it’s not the be all, end all. If it were, Roberto Duran at 5ft 7ins with a 66ins reach wouldn’t beat Iran Barkley who was 6ft 1ins with a 74ins reach. First off, a fighter’s timing, reflexes and mentality dictate how he fights more so than his height and reach.
Pernell Whitaker has fairly long arms to be 5ft 5ins but he’s still 5ft 5ins. He’s able to fight on the outside because of his reflexes. When a shorter fighter has a longer reach and he’s able to get to an angle where the taller fighter’s jab slides over his head or shoulder, and he can shoot his longer jab up the middle, I feel like he has a huge advantage. See Dwight Qawi and Marvin Hagler. Two shorter fighters for their weight class, who had very long arms and were able to out-jab numerous taller fighters.
So, the answer to your question: It’s not a simple yes or no. It depends on whether the taller fighter, who has a reach disadvantage, can even fight on the inside. His temperament has to dictate that. Not everyone likes it up close and personal. So many fighters don’t know the difference between fighting tall and fighting long. But I can’t give away everything for free.
Hello Mr Edwards, The Beterbiev-Bivol rematch is upon us, so I’d like to pick your brain! Historically, does the boxer or the puncher do better in the rematch? Beterbiev seemed to figure Bivol out the longer the fight lasted but he is quite old now. Looking forward to the mailbag and take care. Gabriel, Canada
Bread’s Response: I don’t think the boxer or puncher has a decided advantage in the rematch. I think the fighter who adjusts the best and the fighter who can succeed the most without over-exerting himself has the advantage. For example, Marvin Hagler and Joe Louis may be the best two rematch in fighters in history. Both are known as punchers. But they both made innate adjustments in their rematches that get overlooked.
Most people think the boxer has the advantage, but I look at each rematch case by case. Another example is Leonard vs Duran. I will go to my grave saying Leonard won the rematch because Duran spent himself in the first fight. For as great as Duran was, he fought a little bit over his head vs Leonard. So Leonard made him run it right back and Duran couldn’t go to that height again.
The rumor is Duran didn’t have time to train. But if you research correctly, you will see that Duran knew about the rematch in July. The deal was done in August. Ray Arcel is on record saying Duran had to lose 40lbs in 10 weeks. 40lbs is a lot of weight. But 10 weeks is more than enough time to train. The issue was Duran couldn’t motivate himself to train properly because he was so spent from their first fight.
With Beterbiev and Bivol it simply comes down to who fought over their head and who has more to give. I don’t know for sure because Beterbiev’s age scares me. But I have never seen Bivol look that good before. I have seen Beterbiev look better……So I don’t equate who will do better in a rematch in terms of styles. I equate it on who was over their head in the previous encounter and who can maintain that level.
Another example I have is Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield and Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali. Bowe and Frazier both gave their career-best performances in the initial encounter. Both lost rematches. Bowe nor Frazier could quite get back to the exact spot they were in for the first fights. That’s a real thing.
I’m intrigued at just how good Bivol is. Because if he can go up from their first fight, he’s special. Even though Beterbiev won, I felt Bivol fought a better fight, if that makes sense. I’ve seen Beterbiev perform better, that’s the best I have ever seen Bivol.
First off, congrats on your success. I’ve seen your two prospects and both of them have a chance to be world champions. I believe you are a clean trainer, but I’m not going to lie, your association with SNAC bothers me. Victor Conte is the best cheater of all-time and you hire him for your fighters. How do you balance being a clean trainer and hiring a known cheater?
Bread’s response: Most would not answer this question but I have no issue with it. I am a clean trainer. 100 per cent clean. And I can say that openly because I am not afraid of anyone coming out and saying otherwise. It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say. How many other trainers can say what I just said? Better yet, how many have actually said what I said?
Victor Conte does have a past. I don’t deny that. But I simply believe he’s making atonement for his indiscretions. People change and I personally believe him when he says he has changed. It’s no different than one of these famous entertainers or athletes walking around with arm candy that used to strip and sell sex for a living. Those guys believe the women in question changed while everyone is whispering about her past. They even quote “that’s her past”. Well, I’m saying whatever Victor did at Balco, was his past.
I don’t have a problem with you asking me about Victor Conte. But boxing is a lawless sport. The most famous promoter ever killed people. We have star fighters who used PEDS and promoters put them in eight-figure fights as soon as their suspensions are up. We have strength and conditioning coaches who have cheated themselves and they don’t get questioned the way Victor does.
However, I can tell you why. They don’t get questioned because they don’t promote clean boxing through VADA. Victor is the only large figure in boxing that stands strong on VADA. The others will participate in VADA because it looks like the right thing to do. But they don’t go out of their way to make sure fighters are being tested. The fighter and his team have to request testing and often times they have to make multiple requests.
VADA may not be perfect but it’s the best thing we have in boxing right now and Victor is the leading supporter of VADA. Fighters who don’t like Victor ask for VADA for their fights to even the playing field. Fact check my last statement please. I find it peculiar that fighters who don’t like Victor Conte and his association with VADA will ask for VADA in their fights.
I also want to correct you. No one hires Victor Conte. He sponsors coaches and their fighters. He has never asked me for a dime. And I have never given him one. So think about this: The man that’s in question makes ZERO money from fighters or their teams. He just gives money away. So you have to get your facts straight before you start questioning things.
I think him not charging fighters for his services for the last 16 years, says a lot about him changing and trying to do the right thing. Also let me be clear. Victor has never asked me or any of my fighters to do PEDS. To do anything illegal. To pay him a dime. Or to turn a blind eye to any wrongdoing.
Another thing you may not believe. Most of my fighters have not even met Victor and we haven’t trained at his facility since 2018. Your question was fair and reasonable. But the next time you get a chance, I want you to ask a promoter who promotes fighters that have tested positive for PEDS, why they continue to promote those fighters who have tested positive. I am curious what the answer will be.
What do you make of the recent fall outs in the Saudi fights? Daniel Dubois and Floyd Schofield pulled out with sicknesses. Do you think something is going on, or is it just bad coincidences?
Bread’s Response: I don’t want to address the rumors of someone poisoning Schofield. Let’s give him and his team a chance to prove their claims. Also, because Dubois got sick, we have to see if he’s claiming the same thing that Schofield did.
As for the sicknesses I think it can be a variety of things. Different time zones and food can cause issues. Traveling is a real issue for fighters. I once had a fighter fighting in Quebec and he had diarrhoea during the fight. He literally ran out of the ring because of a pasta he ate the day before.
At the end of the day, it could be a flu bug. It could be some sort of virus going around. Viruses are contagious. I’m actually curious to know what happened and hopefully it gets addressed.
Hey Breadman, Greetings from Ireland. Massive fan of your mailbag since your BoxingTalk days. Huge card this Saturday in Saudi. Just wondering your predictions on the fights? I’ll go with Callum Smith, Kabayel, Madrimov, Sheeraz, Stevenson, Beterbiev. Saying that, it’s the kind of card where I could change my picks tomorrow! Gonna be a great card, Gary.
Bread’s Response: Buatsi vs Smith, I’m going with Buatsi by decision. Kabayel vs Zhang, I’m going with Kabayel by upset. Ortiz vs Madrimov, I’m going with Ortiz by close decision. Adames vs Sheeraz, I’m going with Sheeraz by late tko. Stevenson vs new opponent, Stevenson. Parker vs Bakole, I don’t have a pick. Beterbiev vs Bivol, Beterbiev by late ko.
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