Is Jermain Taylor out of options?

Somebody's bought too much into Mick Hennessy's BS talking points...

 

Hopkins was definitely not washed up when Taylor beat him, nor is he even washed up now. Stop being ignorant.

And consider the irony of you criticizing Taylor for fighting blown up light middles when in reality, right now you are pushing for Froch to fight a blown up 160 lber (Taylor).

 

[QUOTE="TKO";3158060]I am aware that Joppy had a razor thin (basically even) win over Eastman. However, since then he had fought twice in three years, a one-sided beatdown against Hopkins and a win over a no-name. Plus he had been in troublee with the law and not living a professional lifestyle. Eastman had rebounded with seven wins over a fair-to-middling level of opposition and I believe was the tougher proposition at this time. In any case, Taylor was perfectly happy to face Eastman and had agreed to the fight until he realised he'd have to travel for it. He may not have been better off as it transpired because the WBC let him have a shot after Eastman anyway. However, a true warrior with hunger to prove himself would not, IMO, allow the fact that he might have to get his passport out to stand in the way of getting a title shot.

In terms of Froch, Taylor may well be the bigger draw in the States. However, again, it is a case of do you want a title shot or are you happy facing no-names on the domestic circuit? Froch has the belt, looking at it from a purely boxing perspective as opposed to a business one it is up to Taylor to come and get it (or else put a very generous offer on the table to entice Froch to travel). The same if he shoots for Kessler, Bute or Inkin. It just seems to me that the Taylor camp seem to think it is their divine right to have these fights at home and are trying to stack the deck in their man's favour as much as possible rather than going after the fights which will make his legacy. Just my opinion and if he does fight Bute in Montreal I'll glady reconsider it, however, for now I have to say actions speak louder than words.[/QUOTE]
Fair criticism of Taylor, for sure. I am a fan of his but can definitely see the light when it comes to his unwillingness to travel abroad. Thus far his career has been OK despite it, but there may come a time when it's not (like in the very near future).

 

Favoring different team sports than the rest of the world is not an example of ignorance or backward thinking.

You could give plenty of examples of that mindset, but preferences for certain sports is NOT one of them.

 

edit

 

I don't think the poster was pushing for Froch to fight Taylor,just pointing out that Taylor had said 'no thanks' when offered a shot at the title and fighting a nontitle bout for less money. Froch v Kessler is a much harder fight for Froch but I suspect if Taylor declines again Froch will make a voluntary defence against someone not as good/high profile as Kessler/Taylor. I can't see Bute or Inkin wanting to face Froch

 

I think Froch & Bute are 50/50 fights for Taylor.
65/35 to Kessler

 

I don't know for Inkin but I know for sure that if it was possible, Bute would take Froch right away. His trainer too. Read again: RIGHT AWAY. Stop thinking everybody is afraid of Froch, that's not the case, especially after his last fight. In cas you didn't notice, he did not knock Pascal and even struggle against him. Pascal is not the elite of the division. If Bute is not afraid of Froch, Taylor is not either.

 

Good comment. As I posted on the "Why did Hopkins skip 168" thread, where big fights for an American fighter are available with fellow Americans it is easier to make than entering into potentially tricky negotiations with a European fighter or their promoter. However, with Froch (UK), Bute (Canada), Inkin (Russia) and Kessler (Denmark) all based overseas, if JT wants a shot at one of the belts, he is going to have to either go overseas or make a generous offer for one of them to come to the States (I doubt that either Froch or Kessler would have a problem doing this if the offer was big enough). The alternative is "treading water" type fights with guys like Allan Green or Librado Andrade.

I think Taylor is mandatory for Froch so it will be interesting to see what they come up with there. Froch is in a decent negotiating position because he always has the option to refuse to enter into negotiations and allow the fight to go to purse bids, which I think would result in a default 63-35 or 70-30 split in his favour whoever won (the same tactic Vivian Harris tried without success when negotiating with Ricky Hatton). If Froch's team won then they could decide to stage the bout in England as well. I think Taylor may get his way with the fight being in the US, but he'll probably have to pay for it.

 

it has been said kessler is fighting in the states next so i reckon it will be taylor.
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[quote="TKO";3163963]Good comment. As I posted on the "Why did Hopkins skip 168" thread, where big fights for an American fighter are available with fellow Americans it is easier to make than entering into potentially tricky negotiations with a European fighter or their promoter. However, with Froch (UK), Bute (Canada), Inkin (Russia) and Kessler (Denmark) all based overseas, if JT wants a shot at one of the belts, he is going to have to either go overseas or make a generous offer for one of them to come to the States (I doubt that either Froch or Kessler would have a problem doing this if the offer was big enough). The alternative is "treading water" type fights with guys like Allan Green or Librado Andrade.

I think Taylor is mandatory for Froch so it will be interesting to see what they come up with there. Froch is in a decent negotiating position because he always has the option to refuse to enter into negotiations and allow the fight to go to purse bids, which I think would result in a default 63-35 or 70-30 split in his favour whoever won (the same tactic Vivian Harris tried without success when negotiating with Ricky Hatton). If Froch's team won then they could decide to stage the bout in England as well. I think Taylor may get his way with the fight being in the US, but he'll probably have to pay for it.[/quote]

If Taylor cared about the belt, he would have fought for it before. If this goes to purse bid, I think this fight doesn't happen. The WBC wants Taylor as champ more than Taylor wants their belt. He doesn't need it at this point.

 

Very correct, Hopkins has just schooled the arse off Pavlik, Taylor's sole conqueror to date, what more does the guy need to do?

Re: the blown up thing, I take your point but remember that both Spinks and Ouma had moved up from 154 for the fight with Taylor and swiftly returned there afterwards. To me, that suggests that their strongest fighting weight is 154. This is the definition of "blown up" to me, as opposed to a fighter like Taylor who moves up because he can't safely make middleweight anymore. Same goes for Arthur Abraham when he fought Miranda, moving up to 168 then swiftly back down.

This isn't a criticism in any case as he had just battled the top two in Hopkins and Wright and there was nobody else really around at middle at that point (Pavlik hadn't emerged, Miranda just lost to Abraham who wasn't really known in the US market himself and Sturm doesn't rate a mention).

 

Taylor/Kessler? Would be sweet indeed. :good Look for Froch to believe Taylor gives a xxxx about the WBC strap and let the fight go to purse bid thinking he has the upper hand in bargaining.

 

Maybe not that belt specifically, but he needs to fight for one of them if he's planning on staying around at 168. What is the alternative, continue to engage in a who-cares round robin with the likes of Lacy, Edison Miranda, Allan Green, Andrade and anyone else he can fight on US soil? An easy way to ensure people lose interest in him fast.

 

The WBC giving him the title shot out of the gate speaks to his position. They need him more than he needs them. He has enough money he can afford to 'pick his shots' so to speak. He has already proven he will set his own agenda. Good for him. He has earned the right.