I find it hilarious that people think Taylor can have success at SMW.

I think this is a tad overboard. Taylor, talentwise, is still one of the better equipped boxers today. He may not have met the people's expectations, but he is still unbeaten and sitting on the throne.


I for one thinks he may lose to Pavlik after seeing the firepower he displayed against Miranda. But getting a title at 168 is far from inconcievable.

 

Hey, I'm far from a Taylor apologist. I hope Pavlik hands his ass to him on a plate. I hate Taylor as a person and I've rooted against him before. I just don't agree with Amsterdam's assessment of Taylor, and I absolutely don't agree that he's lost 4 of his last 5 (I have it scored 3 wins and 2 draws). In any case, I hope he does fight Calzaghe after this because it would be a huge payday for Calzaghe, a big step up for his legacy, and a relatively easy win, plus as the cherry on top I'd get to see Taylor dominated by a more likable figure.

Against Calzaghe, Dawson would be his toughest matchup at LHW. It's also a high risk, low reward matchup, which is why I'd never expect to see it. H2H though, there are guys I'd have ahead of Dawson at this point. Getting rid of crazy Floyd Sr. was a big mistake by him - his defense had improved leaps and bounds under his tutelage, and since he has the best agility in the LHW division, the style suited him well. Against a quicker, bigger puncher than Adamek, Dawson would go down like a felled tree, and for that reason, I can't put him at the top of the LHW.

No, Am's Taylor hate is nothing new, but he's certainly never expressed it at this level until now.

 

That's fair, he did get an inordinate push by scared Margarito fans desperate to excuse their man for a VERY rough night that didn't do his "would murder Floyd" illusion any favors.

However, I am about as far from a Margarito apologist as you are, and a) liked Clottey before that fight, b) had him winning, and c) still see him at least troubling, if not beating, many top ww's. I don't rate him top five or anything, but he can certainly hang with the top ten and make for very interesting, and for the most part exciting fights.

I'd still love to see Clottey-Simms someday (a fantasy match-up of mine a year ago), even though Travis let me down hard against Alcine.

 

He has faced, beaten and hung with the best, thus he is one of the best.

 

I'll accept your OPINION when you have some FACTS like Bute has hung with or beaten guys like Hopkins or Wright.

 

Taylor would win a wide decision against Bika. Just because Bika made Joe look old does not mean he is a good fighter. He would also beat Andrade and perhaps Carl Froch.

A fight with Mundine (who I don't rate all that well) would depend on who fights less scared; Mundine could outbox him with superior speed, or he could fold mentally like he did with Siaca and to a certain extent Kessler and let a slower fighter win on effective agression/Mundine's chin giving out.

 

The skill level between Wring and Abraham are on different ends of the spectrum. Arthur is a decent Fighter with good skills, but Wink is a GREAT Fighter with GREAT skill...Yes Arthur is bigger and more exciting but that won't mean he can beat a truly great technician like Wright...

I mean Abraham lost to Mirands (Not on paper, but he lost) and Miranda isn't anywhere near the skill level of Wright....All he has is power which is a great equalizer, but won't have you on top forever.....Boxers need depth to their craft and Power is god given. Wink doesn't need size to compete at 168 b/c he's right around that weight anyways.

 

I seriously doubt he would beat Hopkins badly...I don't even think Bute would beat him.

 

Hopkins would **** Bute up.

 

It doesn't take a great leap of faith to say that Bute would likely beat both.

Wright's talent would be wasted at 168, he simply can't compete there the same way Shane couldn't compete with him.

And when's the last time Hopkins fought a young, hungry fighter above middleweight?

 

That's with out saying.....Bute isn't anywhere close to Hope or Wink in terms of skills, expereince and craft. Bute is a fun guy to watch but so was Gatti. Bute is young enough to be a champion but like Gatti he will be a champion with many limits.