AA beats taylor in the 12th round and pavlik beat him in the 7th

AA would have trouble with the size and high work rate of Kelly. And Kelly would have issue dealing with the quick counters and getting through that def shield of AA.

Great fight!

 

In some respects he had improved: conditioning, like you say, and he used his jab more (though to little effect) and didn't back up in a straight line leaving himself wide open like against Froch. In others he had declined: he looked sluggish and his counter-punching ability had all but vanished. I'd say the versions of Taylor vs. Abraham and vs. Froch are roughly equal.

 

:rofl

 

Taylor was the best competition AA had 'till now. JT was better than M. Oral or the various other defenses AA had in the last years. A step up in competition, a slightly faded but still world-class fighter.

Since neither Sturm nor Pavlik wanted to face Arthur at MW, and him having troubles getting to 160, he moved to 168 right into this tourney - without a warm up fight. Can't say he hasn't cojones.