Ok I was personally glad Taylor was in the tournament because he is one of my favorite fighters and I hope he keeps fighting in it. But why would Showtime select Taylor to be in this tournament if he would be either forced or choose to leave the tournament if he lost. Especially considering this is an at minimum 3 fight tournament. While I hoped and thought he could win the tournament, he was apparently the least likely to actually win it according to odds makers and analyst. So a fighter who is least likely to win and who will most likely leave the tournament if he looses is chosen for it? It makes no sense according to their logic. It kinda takes away from the tournament when a person leaves or is replaced and makes it less exciting.
I asked that question a couple of weeks ago. But the "experts" on ESB told me to shut up since they knew better.:yep
If the biggest name in the US leaves the tournament right away then it really does you no good. I'm sure many of the viewers he brought leave with him. Not to mention it doesn't look good for the tournament and it also throws off the balance of the tournament when a replacement fighter is introduced.
Believe me, I'm not a big Taylor fan. I just think that Cool2008 was probably right in what he said. I can't stand DiBella. He's a punk. He probably got Taylor included, with the pitch that the tourney needed a big USA name.
It might not look good, but name value's a huge reason Showtime wanted Taylor in this. Both for the prestige of the tournament, and for the name value of anyone who beats him. I'll be cynical here for a minute and put myself in their shoes- it's possible they weren't planning on Taylor finishing, and were using him for initial ratings. They could've been hoping that by the time he dropped out, one of the other Andre's would step up and at least maintain US interest. Ward-Taylor might've been set up to be that "passing of the torch" fight, but now, who knows if that'll even happen?
Because 15 more seconds he would have beaten Froch...and Froch was one of the favourites to win it along with Kessler. So he was obviously still elite...and many thought he could beat Froch in a rematch...what better place than in the tournament.
yes I'm sure Showtime predicted that Taylor would leave the tournament right away but selected him anyways.
plus he was winning the froch fight, only if he survive the last 5 seconds or so, you know? But it doesn't change the fact he was a huge knock out waiting to happen.. i enjoyed most of his fights, and he was a terrific sportsman. I pray he retires..be smart JT.
