FELIX TRINIDAD, 2001 The pre-Hopkins version who knocked William Joppy out in 5 to win the WBA middleweight belt vs JERMAIN TAYLOR, 2005 The pre-Pavlik version who got the decision twice v Bernard Hopkins to take the middleweight titles Who would win and why?
Taylor was a big MW with good handspeed and a very good jab. These things always gave Tito big problems. Tito wasn't a great MW, but I believe he had the power to KO Taylor who faded down the stretch of the Hopkins fights I felt, so a Tito KO is certainly possible here. I'd probably favor Taylor to win a decision. 60/40 fight IMO.
I'm quite surprised at that. I would fancy Tito to knock Taylor out. I think they would both hit the canvas though, perhaps even a couple of times each. Tito's power would tell late in the fight though. Because he had no success v Hopkins at mw people think Tito didn't have mw power, but he definitely did IMO, it was just that Hopkins was a defensive master and had an iron chin.
Taylor wins by UD. Trinidad was only good against guys he could tee off on in the higher weights. I think Taylor stays behind the jab and out of harms way. He isnt the brawler type. Joppy fought a stupid fight and traded with Tito. The fact that Taylor went 12 with Joppy means jack ****.
Yes he also took Hopkins the full 12 and both were UD's ..The diffrence in the Tito fight he fought with his hands down ..
He definitely had MW power, I agree. I could certainly see him knocking Taylor out late in the fight. I see Taylor controlling the fight(at least the early rounds) with his handspeed, jab and good workrate. I like Tito to come on in the second half as you do. Even though he was KO'd by Pavlik, I like Taylor's chin, though I still believe Tito could KO him. Tough fight to call. Pretty much a pick'em fight IMO. I'm actually suprised you'd favor Tito here. This would have been an excellent and very close fight.