Jermain Taylor was robbed.

Exactly. Why should he stick around? Are we going to take a quick look at Taylor's record in recent fights?

He's 2-4 with 3 losses by some variety of KO/TKO.

He was MW champion of the world. He ended the reign of terror that Hopkins had over the MW division. He was apart of one of the best fights of 2007 against Pavlik. The guy has left his mark on the sport. I'd rather he go out now as a faded ex-champion than as another one of boxing's cruel statistics.

 

Who honestly gave him a legit chance?

Taylor couldn't beat Ward. There's way too many factors that tip in the favor of Ward.

I'm sorry but he would've been batted for 12 rounds by heavy handed shots from Ward. Would it be the same as Abraham or Kessler? Of course not...but 100+ power shots is 100+ power shots no matter who's throwing them.

Taylor just doesn't have it anymore. He starts strong and fades. He runs out of gas, confidence and options too quick for him to be able to really give Ward anything. He got outboxed by Kelly Pavlik. KELLY PAVLIK. Now imagine fighting a better pure boxer in Ward who also happens to be a natural SMW. Not pretty. Ward would've eaten him alive with jabs and the occasional right hook which is enough to drop significant damage on Taylor. Taylor's decline in stamina also would've left him vulnerable to being knocked out (yes by Ward) on account of just accumulation. I have no interest in watching that.

It wasn't going to happen man. I know it's harsh to say things like never will, can't happen and such and such but Taylor was ill prepared for a tournament like this one. I honestly believe had they given Taylor a legit opponent to "qualify" against, he wouldn't of been able to qualify for the super six.

Jermain had his moment in the sun but that's gone now.

 

I am so glad he did this!
His options were few and his chances in this tourney were long shot at best.
He is a smart man.
He's got plenty of money, his wife is beautiful, he's got everything to lose and nothing to gain by staying in.

 

I am of the belief that Taylor wasn't that great to start off. He achieved more than he should of and has done well for himself. Very marketable and good to work with which leads to industry and media overhype.

The fans knew where he stood and they were right on this one.

Despite not being that great, i have full respect for him as a man and still like to see him fight. I just think the expectation of champion is way too high for Jermain Taylor.

JT & Super 6 = Tragic.

 

should have had froch.was his downfall

 

This is the key thing about Taylor - he was overhyped from day one. In his entire career he never beat a top rated fighter at his weight clearly. Without HBO, he would have been a solid contender, nothing more. IMO, he didnt belong in this tournament in the first place, so the correct decision has resulted, whatever the cause.

 

mate there's a big paradox in what your saying here. surely the voiced support from the boxing community giving him a legitimate chance against ward is encouragement for him to stay on?

 

First off, every big decision that you make in life involves other people...Unless you're a selfish ******* or a German Dictator. Of course Jermaine took advice from the people who care about him. And in my opinion, they gave him the right advice. Now, if they didn't care for hime, they would have told him to keep fighting so they could ride the gravy train.

 

I don't necessarily agree.

When you see Taylor's record and his TKO losses (which were very hard to watch)...you can see why people would feel that way.

My attitude on Taylor was known from the beginning. He's clearly in this thing to milk American support. I still feel like he should've had to qualify for it.

 

well you've just articulated, your own counter-argument to what you originally stated. I agree with what your saying here, but isn't it precisely correct for "the majority" to at least think Taylor would lose against Ward, given the present circumstances regarding their most recent wins/losses?

I don't see this as any kind of exceptional case regarding retirement to anyone else s. I doubt Taylor would have been too heavily influenced by the boxing community when making his decision to retire, and even if he was, why should the boxing community be shameful? The majority of posters on these forums (at least from what I've seen) regard health and safety to be of paramount importance when assessing a boxers current situation, more importantly than they regard the outcome of a potential bout (with anybody). Generally ethical thinking if you ask me, and I presume it's this precise reason Taylor has decided to retire...health and safety.

 

TS is a cocksucker that would love to see Taylor die in the ring.