Bold truth: the world of boxing is as much about strategy and perception as it is about punches. This rewrite preserves every key detail of the original while delivering a fresh, clearer, and more beginner-friendly version, with optional angles for discussion.
Daily Bread Mailbag: The WBC, Oscar De La Hoya, and more
Hey Bread,
James Toney used a clever setup: he feints a right hand while stepping into a southpaw stance, then unexpectedly throws a left hook from the opposite stance. It worked twice—knocking out Michael Nunn and, more than a decade later, catching Jason Robinson with the same maneuver. Sneaky, sneaky Lights Out! Do you have other examples that pop into your mind that are similar?
Cheers,
After Terence Crawford Feud, Are Sanctioning Bodies Bad For Boxing?
In today’s episode, the crew dives into one of boxing’s hottest debates: Terence Crawford took to Instagram to vent about the WBC. Are sanctioning bodies simply part of the game, or have they completely lost control of the sport? We also examine the Ring title and discuss whether it can still be considered legitimate if champions aren’t required to defend it.
Thursday | Dec 4, 2025
(https://www.boxingscene.com/talk-shows/after-terence-crawford-feud-are-sanctioning-bodies-bad-for-boxing?spg=pr&spl=b)
Brent from Canada
Bread’s response: Yes, Toney had a sharp instinct. The move you described is iconic. Toney also had two other signature setups you didn’t mention. He would jab upstairs with his left hand, drawing the opponent’s guard up, and then fire a hook to the liver. He’d also sit in wait for a right hand, roll with it, and counter with a short right. Any other favorites you want to share?
Manny Pacquiao has two go-to sequences that end fights for him. He often starts with a straight left to the body, then a blazing right cross to the head. He dropped Keith Thurman with it. He also uses a slip outside the jab and, at the same moment, lands a straight left—an almost guaranteed threat when he’s on. Floyd Mayweather leans in to lure a jab, then slides back and lands a counter right hand (a pull counter).
Watching great fighters closely reveals subtle signature moves. Floyd and Manny were standout exemplars of their eras, and many fighters tried to imitate them.
Hi Bread,
Thanks for the mailbag. I’m a long-time reader, but this is my first time writing in. What do you think are Oscar De La Hoya’s three best career wins, and why? In which weight was he at his peak, and how will history remember him?
Thank you,
Sam
Bread’s response: Oscar has a plethora of superb wins. In my view, he became a Hall of Famer by age 24. I’d pick these three as his best: Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, and his first victory over Julio Cesar Chavez. On the night he defeated Chavez in their first meeting, Oscar looked as good as any 140-pounder in history, perhaps equal to the era’s best.
Sup Bread! Why would a win over O’Shaquie Foster immediately vault Cool Boy Steph into the Hall of Fame while Devin Haney still needs more fights to build his résumé?
Bread’s response: This looks like a misunderstanding. I never compared Fulton to Haney in the way you describe. If Fulton defeats Foster, he’d become the first Philly fighter to win three division titles and likely earn Hall of Fame recognition. I’ve never claimed Fulton is ahead of Haney. The point was to celebrate local talent and acknowledge both fighters could reach the Hall of Fame with continued success. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and rooted in facts.
I also clarified that I don’t think Shakur Stevenson or Devin Haney are presently below Dmitry Bivol in merit. Bivol is a legendary boxer, but he faces different reactions from critics. If the debate tilts toward race or national origin, that’s a distraction from the actual boxing.
Haney vs. Bivol, Haney vs. Stevenson, and similar comparisons deserve careful, evidence-based analysis. The critique level often hinges on expectations about style, aggression, and power rather than pure achievement.
And yes, there’s ongoing talk about Boots Ennis—some say he’s too offensive and takes too many punches, while others see him as a devastating, all-action fighter. It’s a reminder that fans love different styles, and criticisms often reflect personal biases.
Bread, good morning,
I’m a long-time reader, first-time writer. Please share your picks: Lamont Roach vs. Pitbull Cruz; Foster vs. Fulton; Mosley vs. Ramos. I also want to call out the haters and racists who hide behind comments.
Bread’s response: Thanks for the support. Don’t let the haters derail you—the algorithms keep this mailbag alive. I pick Roach by decision. Cruz’s momentum has cooled a bit; Roach should box his way to a comfortable victory. If scores are close, I’d expect something around 116-112.
I favor Fulton to win by decision. He’s quicker on the punch count and more versatile than Foster, so 116-112 seems likely.
Mosley vs. Ramos is closer than many think. Mosley is tough and tenacious; Ramos is polished, but polish isn’t everything. I lean toward Ramos by decision, but an upset or a draw isn’t out of the question.
How important is the fight with Janibek Alimkhanuly for Erislandy Lara’s legacy? If Lara had beaten Janibek, he would have had a strong case for the Hall of Fame. Alas, Janibek tested positive for PEDs, which muddies the record. Hopefully he faces consequences.
Lara’s situation is nuanced. With three draws and three razor-close losses, his path to ATG status hinges on decisive outcomes in those close bouts. He’s had long-term relevance and big opportunities, and his management has contributed to a robust career outside the ring. One more high-profile win could cement his place.
For the record, I see Lara as a Hall of Fame-caliber talent, even if he didn’t always separate himself in the tight matches. If you look at the business side, Lara has maintained relevance for over a decade, which is a testament to his staying power.
I enjoyed your Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson basketball-score analogy on X. Why do you think Lopez is so inconsistent? Is it a style issue or a mental one?
Bread’s response: My take is that Lopez’s best moments tend to come when he’s the hunter, not when he’s chasing. The inconsistency seems linked to how he handles different opponents—if he’s tasked with closing the distance, performances can dip. It’s possible the issue is a mix of mental and stylistic factors. If Lopez could force a scenario where Stevenson is compelled to chase, he might level the playing field.
Can you explain why Conor Benn is listed as the number-one welterweight contender for the WBC when he hasn’t fought at that weight since 2022? Is this a legitimate ranking or a sign of corruption?
Bread’s response: Unable to answer definitively without knowing the exact criteria used by the WBC. The best move is to contact the sanctioning body for clarification. In general, rankings can reflect injuries, past activity, or strategic decisions, but transparency matters.
Terence Crawford has claimed he’s the best ever. He’s also criticized Oscar De La Hoya’s legacy. Who would win in a head-to-head matchup, and whose résumé stands taller? Could Crawford dominate across eras if placed in past decades?
Bread’s response: Crawford is an all-time great who navigated the boxing establishment successfully for nearly two decades undefeated across five weight classes. Resumes are strong, and while Oscar’s is arguably more expansive, Crawford fought through different conditions and constraints. In a head-to-head, Crawford’s adaptability gives him the edge. Projecting eras is tricky—fighting a lineup of ATGs across various periods would test any fighter. The key takeaway: both are among the sport’s elite, with Oscar’s resume often cited as among the best of the modern era.
There’s a broader question about legacy and the stories we tell about fighters. If a fighter’s career can be judged by both in-ring performance and the business battles waged behind the scenes, then Crawford’s consistency and adaptability make a compelling case for greatness, while Oscar’s longevity and breadth of opposition add a different kind of weight to his legacy.
Concluding thoughts: If you have other questions, matchups, or controversial angles you want explored, send them along. The aim is to dissect boxing with respect for the sport and an eye for clarity, ensuring newcomers can follow the logic behind each verdict.
Share concise questions and comments to dabreadman25@hotmail.com
