John Mugabi vs. Jermain Taylor

Jermain's height bothers me a little, but the inspired demon that was Mugabi in November, 1986 is extremely dangerous. Taylor has strength and power, but Hagler had both too -and combined it with skill. Mugabi would take him because of intangibles. Mugabi was a fighter and a bomber. Jermain is an athlete. I take the fighter in such contests.

Jermain's knack at getting through by the skin of his rump wouldn't hold up under Mugabi's overhands. Neither would his chin.

 

Mugabi TKO-7

 

Mugabi by knockout..Taylor doesn't have the skill, chin, physical strength, punching power and all-around ability that Hagler had.

 

The John Mugabi who fought Hagler back in the days, would have defeated any version of Taylor. JT is too cautious.

Hagler defeated Mugabi because he did stand and fought in the centre of the ring and took the best of Mugabi that night, and he was a better boxer than Mugabi. But Mugabi was a pain in the neck. I still remember the round were the two of them fought like there was not tomorrow. Was it round 6???

Talylor has more skills than Mugabi, but he's not so confident. His victory over Spinks tells me that he's not that great.

 

Mugabi KO.

 

Mugabi KO - and probably early, too. I see quite a few fans in the classic section have picked up on just why Taylor has been fighting light-hitting, lighter weight fighters ever since Hopkins shook him.

 

What round?

 

The version who fought Marvin back in 1986 was a monster who lands dozen of bombs on Hagler.
Jermain Taylor is a good fighter with a good jab, he is taller than John Mugabi and has a good footwork.
John was nothing but a pure struggler, he had a good speed and fluid combination let alone his brute power. If he can land properly (which is more than likely) than he would go at it and chase a cautious Jermain whom all he has to do is stay back and jab jab jab to win a decision à la Mayweather (without the skills evidently).

Jermain decision.

 

The Beast knocks out Taylor in 1 round.
Not competative.

 

Mugabi is just wrong for JT, win inside of 5 rounds for Mugabi

 

I do not think that Taylor is in Hagler's class in terms of being a great fighter. The one thing that Taylor is though, is a harder puncher. Hagler is mentally stronger, has a better chin, has better endurance, has much more to offer in terms of a skill set. I'm sure it was no joy to get hit by Hagler. He could knock you out. He just didn't hit as hard as Taylor.

Hagler outboxed people, out toughed people, and out fought them. Taylor usually wins because he hits harder than is opponent. Taylor's heavier hands got him the decision against Spinks, who was out boxing him. Taylor's heavier hands got him the decision against Wright, who was outfighting him. They even played a factor in his wins against Hopkins, who looked like a better fighter in losing than Taylor did in winning.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Taylor is one of the greatest punchers in the history of the sport, but even Pavlik will admit he can punch a bit.

Anyway... Taylor's size and power would be too much for The Beast. Mugabi was wilder, and more vicious than Pavlik; but I don't think he hit harder than Pavlik did. Taylor would be able to stand up to enough of Mugabi's attack to deal the final blow.

Taylor by ko in about 5. He doesn't hit like McClellan, but probably harder than Norris.

 

Mugabi KO5

 

You don't see Taylor winning on how hard he hits?

Well I guess he beat Winky with superior counterpunching. He beat Ouma with great boxing ability. How about the way he schooled Spinks? I don't want to talk about the lessons he gave Hopkins.

 

1) Taylor never BEAT Winky Wright
2) Taylor didn't display GREAT boxing ability against Kassim Ouma
3) Taylor didn't school Spinks at all
4) Hopkins didn't get boxing lessons in either fight - both were close