On this forum I wrote a couple of disparaging posts about Jermain Taylor in regard to his performance against Pavlik, and I was run out of dodge so to speak. I said that if I was Jermaine I would feel like a punk, given the way the fight played out and in no way sought to detract from Pavlik's great win. To cut to the chase, if any of my detractors would care to read the recent article about Jermaine's current approach to training (main page of this website) and his trainer's thoughts on his progress and where he went wrong, then I personally feel vindicated. 1. I questioned Jermaine's stamina and training methods the first time out: we are told in this article that he is running five miles a day - except sunday's - is more dedicated to training and is working on his stamina. His trainer said that they took this rematch as the only issue they identified was a lack of endurance. 2. When asked about his motivation for this rematch Jermaine says: "I'm not concerned about the belts but about winning this fight and leaving the ring with my PRIDE." My point is simple peeps - I'm here to express my opinions about boxing - rightly or wrongly - in the hope that I might share and learn from interested others. None of my posts are about kudos or trying to placate or irritate anybody here. And for the record I expect a rededicated, confident, and in shape Jermaine Taylor to do a number on Pavlik - and you can quote me on that!! Jermaine's is just an out and out better boxer.
One thing you can say about Jermain, he is not the one to shirk from a challenge. He feels he can do better against Pavlick and he's out to prove it. He's not singing about himself in a rap song, throwing dollar bills, calling people Mother F***ers or pussys. Yeah, he's had some tough times, rough fights, and hasn't always looked stellar on the top level. But you can bet, if Pavlick is just a one hit wonder, Jermain will expose him. Conventional wisdom indicates that Pavlick does better than he did last time, but Jermains pride is smarting, and he is coming in as a avenger, so Kelly had better have done his homework.
I can understand why you have come to that conclusion, but if Taylor wins, then all the criticism he has received, all the people having a knock at him, all that will have to stop immediately. For if he wins, Taylot will have gone straight back in with the guy who gave him his first pro loss. Not to mention that manner in which Taylor lost to Pavlik. If Taylor wins, then that would be the best way to basically say, fcuk you! to all the critrics & the people that have knocked him. Taylor should be given respect for the sheer fact he's seeking revenge straight away. Takes some bottle to do that!
I've always respected Taylor's courage, but if I were Taylor's cowardly advisor, I'd still advise him to take the Pavlik rematch -- if Taylor does have problems making weight, there's hell awaiting him at 168. Guys like Kessler, Andrade, Bute and Miranda. Getting a belt at 168 isn't any easier.
Taylor got my respect and alot of peoples respect by fighting Pavlik and standing toe to toe with him. Now he needs to be smart and win by boxing otherwise he will be discarded as a top fighter. I believe he can do it.
this fight will turn out the exact way it was last time! taylor is a afraid of ghosts n he knows it! taylor didnt want to fight the belts becuase he would recive less money because he would be a challenger he loves money jus as much as mayweather! he doesnt care who he fights as if it is for money the guy doesnt respect opponents nor himself he jus wants the cash!
Kelly started training camp 2 1/2 weeks earlier for the rematch. He knows he needs to improve, too & thats a scary thought. I think all things will be relative & the fight plays out similar to the 1st. Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so when Jermain gets tagged again, he'll resort to his same old mistakes & it will be business as usual. Kelly needs a good defense to protect from the initial bum rush I'm sure Taylor will bring. Can't wait. Only this time I won't be there in person.:|
Here are a few thoughts on the upcoming rematch. JT was talking about moving up to 168 before the first fight was made. Now the rematch is at this catch weight of 166. Steward and Taylor underestimated Pavlik as much or more than Bronco McKart did when he said ; "This kid's never been past 9 rounds. I'm just gonna take him out in deep water and drown him." I now believe that JT and Manny had a plan that failed to take Pavlik seriously. JT was going to knock Pavlik out early, vacate the titles at 160, and then "graciously" grant Kelly a rematch provided they do it at the 166 catch weight that was stipulated. A rematch would give JT an "easy tune up" on his way to the full 168. The plan back fired, and at the end of the day it was, "What happened Manny? Did I get knocked out?" JT, pissed off, frustrated and sorely disappointed, fired Steward, and appointed Ozell Nelson as head trainer. Ozell, and JT both believe that Taylor's only real problems were stamina and the wrong fight plan. While JT does have stamina related issues, Zuniga, McKart, Zertuche, and Miranda do not. All have been the distance in grueling fights. I'm not putting these guys in the same class with JT, I'm just saying that they don't have stamina problems, and they got knocked out anyway. The biggest problem JT had was neither fight plan nor stamina. It was holding the left hand way down low all the time. He's had that problem for a long time, and I don't think he will correct it in one training camp headed up by Ozell. If he comes in holding a high guard, as soon as he gets stung a few times, he will revert back to his old habits. Furthermore Pavlik's history indicates that if JT holds the left even a little bit TO HIGH, Kelly will brutalize him with lead rights to the body. Those lead rights to the body break ribs and hurt opponents bad. When JT gets hurt he drops his left, and goes straight back; he's been doing that for a long time. Do that against Pavlik, and you get KTFO. In order to beat Pavlik JT would have to transform himself into a slick counter-puncher who uses lots of lateral movement, and can stay off the ropes and out of the corners. At 30 years of age Taylor can not make that transformation, and make it stick in a fight with Pavlik, in one training camp. I like JT. I wish he had chosen some path into the future other than this immediate rematch. Boo
Taylor a better boxer? It was back and forth in the boxing match - aspect of the fight against Pavlik, no clear advantage for Taylor. Running five miles a day isn't going to change your genetic stamina potential, and as every athletic abiltiy, stamina is genetic as much as it is training. 30 miles a week won't even bring your VO2 max to full development. Besides, mental strength under fire is hard to develop in a fighter who never had it. Pavlik has a huge mental edge.
