So I'm an armchair fighter- Taylor vs Pavlik post fight post thoughts

After watching the Taylor vs Pavlik fight I submitted a controversial post on this forum saying that Taylor was a chump - for losing in the way that he did when he should have actually closed the show. I still stand by this statement.

I intentionally set out to arouse interest - via this controversial statement - to genuinely get a feel for what other fellow posters thought about this fight. Instead I got villified for disrespecting Taylor, and some would go further and question my credentials and my lack of bravery, hence the phrase "armchair fighter." And also - for the record - I didn't bet a penny on this fight!!! The post became increasingly controversial and let's just say the moderators' did the right thing and brought it to a close.

After much consideration of the many direct criticisms levelled at me personally for making this statement I asked myself the following questions and eventually rested on these corresponding answers:

Q.1 Do I really need to be a fighter to make such a statement about Taylor being a chump?

A.1 No - many learned and revered boxing sport writers and commentators criticise and praise boxers' abilities, without having any personal first hand or hands-on experience of boxing. The fact that I do have first hand boxing experience is neither here nor there!!

Q.2 If I was Taylor and I reviewed my performance in this fight, how would I feel?

A.2 Like a chump, considering all that was at stake and the fact that I had an opportunity to close the show in the second round. I would also hate myself for not preparing to fight and defend myself for 3 minutes of each round for a minimum of 12 rounds (without being facious, I don't expect a non boxer to understand this statement).

I'm getting carried away again with my thoughts and feelings regarding this fight as I beat the crap out of my keyboard - so let me draw this to a conclusion.

When I was in my teens I recall this often used phrase, which is less common place now: "Boxing is a mug's game." I never really fully appreciated its meaning until I grew up some more, watched a lot more fights, and read about and viewed first hand the difficulties that many great and competent fighters have had to deal with in their lifes outside of the ring when their careers have ended.

So when I see a supposed able world champion like Taylor, who unlike most other fighters is being paid bucket loads to fight, fail to rise to the occasion and seize upon a clear opportunity to end the fight and silence naysayers, I can't help but feel that he has acted like a chump. There really is no criticism here, but just honesty!

Again hats off to Kelly Pavlik for executing his gameplan and for demonstrating that "Hard work will always overcome natural abilities." Said another way: "Hard work equals talent."