Agit Kabayel is someone who comes to mind when I think of boxers on a good run currently. And my goodness the body work. Who does Agit Kabayel beat and not beat right now? Sincerely, Alex Sanchez.
Bread’s Response: Kabayel is most likely my favorite current heavyweight. I love his composure and body work. I would actually favor him over everyone except Usyk. Hopefully he gets his shot and he doesn’t lose his momentum.
Sup Breadman. I was rewatching some old Salvador Sanchez fights and noticed he utilized a unique defensive skill, a rear shoulder roll of sorts, where he would overreach with a hook and miss, leaving him open to a left hook but would tuck his chin behind his rear shoulder (now to the front in this position). I noticed GGG does something similar. Is this a skill that can be or is taught or is it something that's more instinctive? Can you think of other examples of unorthodox or unique skills utilized by fighters?
Bread’s response: You definitely know what you’re talking about. Sanchez is one of my favorite three fighters to study. On film he has a case for being a top ten fighter ever. That’s how good he is.
Sanchez definitely used that rear shoulder tuck to defend left hooks on the inside. I believe anything can be taught. But sometimes we think too deep into stuff. Here is what I mean. Sometimes a fighter will have elite instincts and he tries something. That something works. His trainer sees it and he lets the fighter’s instinct take over and he allows the fighter to keep doing it. Oftentimes this is how unorthodox techniques happen.
I’ve seen times where a fighter gets interviewed and they get asked whose adjustment was it, the fighter’s or the trainer’s? When in fact both deserve credit because if the trainer told the fighter to not do it, and the fighter listened, then the trainer would be taking away the fighter’s move if he didn't allow him to do it freely.
To answer you directly I believe anything can be taught. But that doesn’t mean someone taught it to Sanchez. Maybe his instincts told him to do it and his trainer went with it. I can’t say for sure but I have seen it several times.
A unique technique I’ve seen is Roy Jones holding his hands out in front of him. Look at a young RJ and he would hold his hands much further out in front of him than most. It worked like a charm.
I also saw Fernando Vargas use a move where he ripped down a fighter’s gloves and then he landed short hooks. I taught Julian Williams that move and he stopped Luciano Cuello with the same move in one round.
Would a prime Tyson do well? Jerry Quarry, Ron Lyle. Oscar Bonavena, Earnie Shavers, George Chuvalo. These men were so tough. Not talking the top tier in Ali, Frazier and Foreman. My goodness, they were brutal. They went rounds. Tyson never came back to win in a fight where he got knocked down. How would he do in that era?
Bread’s Response: I think Mike Tyson is a legitimate great fighter. But his shortcoming was he never really came back to win a big fight after being down. All of the great heavyweights have. Foreman, Frazier, Ali, Holyfield, Louis etc have all been hurt bad or dropped and came back to win. Tyson almost did it versus Buster Douglas but he lost. He was down on points versus Frans Botha and he won. I think that’s his closest moment to what you were talking about.
I think Tyson would have been a top fighter in the 70s. He just wouldn’t have been as dominant as he was in the 80s. On paper he beats Quarry, Lyle, Bonavena, Shavers and Chuvalo. But there is a chance he loses to Lyle and Bonavena. I don’t think he could beat Foreman or Ali. But timing is important in fights. And on the right night, Tyson could beat anyone. I think Frazier vs Tyson is a 50/50 fight. But in the 15-round era, Tyson would have to get him early. I like Tyson over Norton but again he better get him early.
Tyson would have won some and lost some in the 70s. The heavyweight champions of the 70s were Frazier, Ali, Foreman, Holmes, Norton, Spinks and a few WBA guys who grabbed some belts late in the decade. I can see Tyson winning a belt. He just wouldn’t have had a reign of terror so to speak. But in fairness to Mike Tyson, we can literally do this with anyone. Tyson was born when he was born. And no one can control that.
Hey, Breadman! Big fan of your work as a trainer. You have trained one of boxing’s biggest stars in Caleb Plant for his past 4 fights, and improved some holes in his game. But after his recent loss you did an interview where you implied the camp wasn’t what you wanted it to be. I just wanted to know: in what way? Did you guys fail to meet thresholds in camp? Was there a chemistry and scheduling issue due to you also training Kyrone for a fight the same night? Or was it possible you feel corners were cut on the side of Plant and the effort wasn’t being matched? I know that’s your guy and you won’t throw him under the bus as you stated, but that was a topic that stuck with me and would be interesting to hear your reply. If that question is one you don’t want to answer at this time, my alternative/second question is: do you prefer training outboxers or pressure fighters? Given you most prominently train great slicksters in Caleb Plant, Julian Williams, and Kyrone Davis? Peace and love and I look forward to any answers.
Bread’s response: I don’t prefer training any specific style. I like aggressive fighters as well as outboxers. I have two undefeated pressure fighters that are 11-0 but they just haven’t hit the mainstream yet. If I could put all of the good things in a bowl that Kyrone, Julian and Caleb had and mix it together I would have a HOF fighter.
I would take Kyrone’s durability, composure and defensive instincts, mix it with Caleb’s foot speed and athleticism and add Jrock’s punch accuracy, jab, sharpness, creative punch sequences and heart and I would have a super fighter. My preference is not in a certain style. But I do have preferences. I like athletic, strong fighters with physicality. I also like quick-minded fighters. The ability to process information at a fast pace is the best quality a fighter can have. Last but not least I want a coachable fighter. If a fighter is not coachable, nothing else matters.
Hey what's up, Bread? Hope all is well with you and your family. Unlike previous emails, this one will be short, haha. I've been out of the loop when it comes to young, up and coming fighters, but two of them that I have been curious about are Callum Walsh and Curmel Moton. I'm just curious about how much you know about those guys, and how they seem to be developing. And are there any other notable young bucks that I should pay attention to? I love all styles of boxing though my favorites are generally boxer-punchers if that makes a difference or not. Anyway, take care. Mike from Salt Lake City.
Bread’s response: I’ve been around Curmel Moton and I’ve seen him fight several times. I think he’s a terrific prospect. I can see him challenging for a world title by 2027. I believe he has what it takes to be a top player for a very long time. The only issue I can see with him is weight. He’s pretty short and he seems to have very dense muscles. He’s not going to get any taller but he can get heavier. And in my opinion it could get counter productive if he puts on too much weight, too soon.
I haven’t seen Callum Walsh but I will be sure to pay more attention when he has a fight coming up
Bread, so many pundits have followed your lead in picking Crawford; some even predicting a knockout. It seems like the move up in weight has become irrelevant to the conversation. Crawford is moving up 3 weight classes from his last dominant performance. Has anyone ever moved up that much to defeat a lb for lb opponent? Jeremy.
Bread’s response: A friend of mine just told me last week that he felt that pundits were following my pick and that I was the first person he heard that out right picked Crawford.
I can’t speak for everyone else but I did consider jumping three divisions, and it didn’t deter me for several reasons. One is Canelo turned pro as a junior welterweight. I know he was a teenager but it’s his pro debut weight. He also fought a few fights at welterweight and his first title fight was at a catchweight of around 150lbs. So while I believe Canelo is the bigger fighter, I feel it’s a little different challenging a bigger fighter who started out at a certain weight than it is challenging a fighter who moved up to a certain weight. Canelo started out at 140 lbs and it seems as though 168 lbs has been his best weight. Crawford started out at 135 lbs and it seems 147 lbs is his best weight, but we have only seen him fight once at 154lbs.
I have studied Canelo’s career since he fought Jose Cotto. And I’ve come to the conclusion that speed and agility give him more trouble than physical bruisers. His only two losses have been to Mayweather and Bivol. But both are boxers by nature and they use their feet. Then you have the fighters who have held him close: Lara and GGG. GGG isn’t a big mover but he’s a jabber and he can box. He’s just not flashy. After the Lara and GGG fights, there were more people who thought Lara and GGG won than they did Canelo.
Then you have guys that Canelo beat clearly but they still troubled him: Plant and Trout. These tough nights are no coincidence. They keep coming from the same style or concept. I also considered that Crawford’s stamina would be a huge factor if the weight didn’t slow him down. I then noticed Crawford would have a huge reach advantage despite being the smaller fighter. The last thing that I considered was that Canelo has not scored a KO since 2021. I don’t believe this is by chance. I think Canelo has lost a gear and it’s why he can’t push the pace late to get his most recent opponents out of there. I mixed all of the ingredients in my head and I came out with Bud Crawford wins this fight.
Hi Breadman. Canelo vs Crawford. Like you, I like Crawford big time in this one. The main question I have is would they actually give it to him? Bivol took Canelo to pieces and he only came away with 115–113 on all the cards. As discussed before, Canelo is ridiculously privileged and has been given the benefit of the doubt more than anyone I have seen. I guess the question is, is Bud capable of dominating Canelo as much as Bivol did, to not only win, but do it conclusively? Thanks
Bread’s response: This is a great question. But, I really don’t know the answer. But in full transparency, I’m going to wait to see who the officials are before I place any wagers.
Hello Steven. A few matchups that may happen this year: Opetaia vs Ramirez, Benavidez vs Ramirez, Benavidez vs Opetaia. Of course it’s only talk, but I’m interested in your take on who wins these three rumored matchups. Thanks Steven
Bread’s response: Opetai, Benavidez and flip a coin.
Sup Breadman. I saw your tweet about Finito Lopez being the most consistent fighter you ever saw. Could you do a style breakdown? His strengths and weaknesses. What would you say to those that call him overrated and he had weak competition?
Bread’s response: I would describe Lopez as a technical wizard, who was a consummate and neat boxer puncher, with brutal KO power.
I don’t believe he really had a weakness. I mean one would have to nitpick on a real weakness. His strengths are in my style breakdown.
For those that say he’s overrated, I tell them to kick rocks. They have no idea what they’re talking about. I don’t know for sure if any fighter in history 112 lbs or lower could beat Lopez. And he shows up on video as good as anyone in history. He’s that good.
Hey Breadman. I hope you and your camp are well. I've been enjoying BoxingScene Today on YouTube. They briefly discussed weigh-ins regarding the Eubank vs Benn fight and making weight in the UK. I didn't realise there were different rules regarding the pre-weigh in weights. They said that in the UK you have to hit weight targets about 2/3 times before the final weigh-in. I thought that sounded sensible to stop fighters dropping huge weight in the last 24 hours and better than limiting the weight fighters can put on post weigh-in. But Malignaggi was incredulous. He said it was stupid and more dangerous for fighters because they would be weaker for longer. What re your thoughts? Let's say for 147, at 10 days out you have to be within 8 lbs and 3 days out within 3 lbs. Would that be beneficial and healthier for fighters (feel free to change the weight limits if mine are unrealistic)? I thought it would keep fighters at more natural weights, give promoters advance notice of weight issues and reduce drastic weight cuts and the associated risks. In terms of weight cut, brain injuries, dehydration? Just from your experience and intuition as a top trainer. All the best, Darns, Marrakech
Bread’s response: I actually agree with Paulie Malignaggi. If you tell fighters they have to follow strict weight cut rules leading up to the fight, they are either going to suffer longer or touch the weight they are required to touch, then put the weight right back on, just to cut it the last week of the fight. What bothers me is, the people in charge act like they don’t know how fighters are cutting 25 lbs plus.
The fighters are upping their water intake, essentially tricking their bodies to hold more water weight. So as the fight nears, they cut the water to make the weight. I won’t get into the intricate details but that’s basically the outline.
The issue is that in order to do this fighters will weigh more than the average casual fan would realize. If the general public knew a fighter’s weight in camp they would gossip about and assume the fighter was going to miss weight for the weigh in…What I believe is better is to have fighter’s examined throughout camp, neurologically and physically. A fighter’s hydration, blood counts, and mineral counts should be examined more so than weight. I’m not saying weight isn’t important but there are more important things. And the weight guidelines have to be realistic. You can’t tell fighters they have to be 8 lbs over ten days out. This is an unpopular truth but 90% of the fighters are more than 8 lbs over ten days out.
With ten days to go most fighters are still sparring and they want to spar at a comfortable weight. And most are comfortable 12 lbs or more over their weigh-in weight. So yes Paulie is right. The restrictions may seem reasonable but the people in boxing know better. I know you may think it would put fighters at their natural weights. But fighters are gunslingers by nature. They’re extremist by nature. They aren’t going to move up in weight if these rules were put in place. The fighters will push the envelope until multiple fighters are seriously injured. No one would want to be liable for these mishaps…..
There were some big announcements this week for fights in the fall. Benavidez vs Yarde and Norman vs Haney. Who do you like and why?
Bread’s response: I like Benavidez by TKO in the second half of the fight vs Yarde. He just has too much endurance for Yarde in my opinion. I can’t call Norman vs Haney just yet. I can see both winning. Norman by KO and Haney by decision. I can see Haney not being able to handle Norman’s power or I can see Norman not being able to handle Haney’s movement and jab. Let me think on it a little more but this is a very close fight for me to call.
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