Jermain Taylor - Can he become an ATG?

Hi there everyone, I'd like to talk today about one of my favourite active fighters, Jermain 'Bad Intentions' Taylor.

As most of us know, JT is a former undisputed MW Champion famed for defeating the legendary Bernard Hopkins twice, ensuring the lineage of the division continued (Hopkins was seemingly destined to leave the division post Taylor).

JT also holds notable wins against former 154 belt holders Cory Spinks and Kasim Ouma as well as an impressive win against the once highly touted former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy. In addition to this, he also has a draw with skilled technican Ronald 'Winky' Wright.

Operating now in the SMW division following the loss of his MW crown to Kelly Pavlik, Taylor is now in line with big fights against the likes of Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute.

The question I have to ask is how far can Jermain Taylor go? When one considers his already decent resume and the fighters he could potentially add to it (Kessler in particular) I think it's fair to say that he should he attain a certain amount of success in the division, he could be HOF bound at least.

What does everyone else think? How far can Jermain go? Does he have a prayer of cleaning up the division?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Why would it be a joke?

In some ways I can see why people would question whether he would have the ability to do it or not, but Taylor definetly has skills and gifts and I believe the right set of opponents at 168 to improve his record considerably.

The only guy I see beating him at 168 right now is Kessler in all honesty.

 

I agree. I think Kessler will prove a bridge too far, but I certainly feel he is capable of defeating Bute and especially Froch (who not only lacks experience at World level, but relies heavily on his power to win him fights, definetly not a particularly skilled boxer as anyone who has watched his fights against Robin Reid and Jean Pascal will attest to).

I honestly feel that Kessler - Taylor could be pretty big down the line if both of them have a fight to unify the belts, and the winner would get a pretty large scalp on their record.

 

I agree with alot of this Gaz, but I feel that there is a distinct double standard with regards to Taylors wins over 154lbers and say Hopkins wins over smaller men.

I see Hopkins get excessive credit (rightly or wrongly) for wins over Trinidad(fair to a degree IMO), DLH (clearly **** at the weight) and Winky Wright (again a weight too high). So why shouldn't Jermain get credit for a win over Spinks who is tough to beat if nothing else?

Now, I think wins over Bute and Froch would look fine on his legacy and I believe he is more than capable of achieving this. The real question is whether he could beat Kessler which IMO, he couldn't. However, if he did achieve that victory, then I believe he would be entitled to at least entry in the HOF.

Is it really so impossible that he beats Bute, Froch and Kessler?

I'm not sure I'd say it's unthinkable

 

A pair of balls? :huh

The man has taken on Bernard Hopkins, Kelly Pavlik, Winky Wright and Jeff Lacy, all dangerous in various different ways.

I don't think he can be accused of lacking balls!

 

I agree for the most part, and this is the point of the thread to gauge whether he can do it and what he has to do and how much.

One thing I can't understand is why many people dislike the guy: generally he's been willing to fight the best and has always came off as respectful and likeable to me.

I wish him all the best and I'd love to see him nab the WBC and IBF baubles to set up a mega fight with the Viking Warrior down the line...