I just watched the post fight press conference of Taylor v Pavlik II and instead of discrediting Kelly Pavlik ... he gave Pavlik respect. It was apparent that it was a close fight and some of the media personalities were trying to get him to say that he thought he won the fight. But JT said that he didn't want to do that ... He seen what Bernard Hopkins did to him and it discredited JT's win over him and took away from JT's glory. By saying that, he didn't create any controversay, and he let Kelly Pavlik enjoy his victory. I think that was very classy and the attitude of a true winner - despite losing. He couldve argue that he thought he won the fight, but instead he gave credit where credit was due. We need more guys in the sport like this man ... taking nothing away from his opponent ... saying that he gave it his all but it wasn't good enough ... not letting his ego ruin the moment for both fighters. No matter what anyone says about JT ... he's truely a man of principle and grants respect.
It is kind of humorous that the guy we all hated for being on the winning end of bad decisions is quite classy after being on the wrong end of one.
He's underrated on here as a fighter. He is one of the most trashed fighters on eastside boxing. Which is partly due to the perception that he was an HBO corporate fighter.
People kill saying he won the 2nd fight. He was cleanly outboxed, despite the HBO commentators trying to will him to win.
I think he'll be back at 168 ... the division is starting to get some buzz you have guys like Andrade, Kessler, Bute, Trinidad, Lacy, Green ... guys like that.
The fact that he can gain more clout in defeat say alot about his character. You see guys like Bernard and Oscar who lose and can never accept defeat ... even though its very apparent that both guys have tasted convincing defeats.