Contrary to popular belief, Jermain Taylor is currently underrated by most fans.

He can't beat Pavlik, but he cleans out Mundine, Kessler, Bute and the lot?

Doesn't add up, sorry. Pavlik's become a suspended overrated fighter because of Taylor, the fact remains that he's the same efficient B level operator prior to the Taylor matches.

 

I agree, underrated by a LOT. Most people on this forum think he's complete crap.

I think many of the negative opinions you hear about him here are not really based off of his performance in the ring, but by people just hating for stupid reasons.

 

Eh, maybe Pavlik is just a "B" fighter. Maybe more technical, unorthodox fighters like Calzaghe could beat him handily.. but does anyone think Calzaghe would stand a chance if he tried to slug with Pavlik like Jermain did? Yeah right!! Whats impressive about Jermain Taylor to me is that even though he lost to Pavlik, he managed to survive the second fight, which was fought at almost as hard a pace as the first fight.

 

I agree that Taylor is underrated. People dislike him because of his boring style and the fact that he has been on the favorable end of close decisions (especially as a network sacred cow), but the fact is that he was at the very least razor-close competitive with two pound-for-pound elites, and he did have Pavlik down and hurt in the first fight and hold him to a close decision in the rematch.

 

Yes, i agree JT NOW is underrated. He did a heck of alot better against pav the second time and made it close. The only thing i worry about is his stamina. I think he will be a champ at supermiddle soon.

 

i think he would give Mundine a pretty tough time

 

Agreed. I think he's a better talent then Pavlik but styles make fights and Pavlik just had him number. I think he can still do big things.

 

no doubt JT is a phenomenal athlete

 

Mark my words, Jermain will be a force at 168

 

I agree, we have not seen the last of Jermain Taylor. He'd smoke Jeff Lacy and he'd smoke Mikkel Kessler too.

 

The two reasons people seem to dislike Taylor are:

1) The fact that he recieved close decisions or draws against Bernard Hopkins twice, Winky Wright, and Cory Spinks.

2) The fact that he was very hyped coming out of the Olympic games in 2000, being billed by some as the next great middleweight champion who could become a serious mainstream star.

I don't see how either of those two reasons warrant a dislike for Jermain Taylor himself. The decisions can be attributed to judges and the hype can be attributed to the television networks (HBO) and it's commentators. So in that sense, the dislike/hatred people feel should be directed at those two sources.

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Now onto Jermain Taylor, the fighter:

Anybody who can hold his own against Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright, making it rough for both, has a certain class about them. Taylor's a gifted athlete; sharp reflexes, quick hands, explosive punches, and a good left jab. But his downfall will always be his lack of relaxation in the ring which contributes to his less than stellar stamina, his tendency to back into the ropes (which has been fixed for the most part), and his susceptibility to good jabs and straightright hands. Pavlik was able to expose these flaws, but Taylor gave a good showing of himself in both fights. More so in the second for fixing up his gameplan and technical skills. He's not going to clean out 168. If it were up to me, he would, just because I think he recieves too much unjust hate, but I'm being realistic. With that said, I do believe he'll give a better account of himself than most, and even I, expect.

Taylor's a credit to the sport - a tough kid who is willing to face anybody. Best of luck to him.