Taylor will take boxing more serious than ever, and he'll avoid those bodyshots that wore him down. He'll come back with less movement and more counters, and with a better tactic for going inside, and in another close fight, Pavlik will be KOed. BUT, If it goes the distance, Taylor starts to fade after the 6th round. If he wants to get Pavlik, he'll have to do it quickly.
Both are great fighters, and both will dig deep to win. Pavlik may win the rematch, but I think Taylor will come back strong and take the second bout. We'll see though, my opinion may change. Just a prediction.
Both men fought a great fight:yep Hope the rematch happens at 68 and it sets up a big fight there for the winner. IMO? Pavilk will be even stronger at 68 and it'll be another second half TKO for Kelly.
Taylor has the best coach in the world. Manny has proven his qualities. I do not think he is the reason for Taylor\'s loss. Pavlik was just the better fighter that night.
They are not both 'great' fighters. Pavlik is 'solid' and Taylor is 'talented but highly, highly flawed'. B+ level. And Pavlik will easily win a rematch, there won't be a 2nd round like that with a broken nose that will make him tentative for the next few rounds, he'll just implement the pressure gameplan behind the longer reach and walk him down just like this time.
Taylor probably can win, but you never know how a knockout loss will affect him. He'll get the benefit of the fight being above the middleweight limit, but so will Pavlik who also has his share of weight issues. As for improvements, I don't know what Taylor can do. He's proven that he has the talent but not the execution. He makes his life too hard by not sticking to his strengths.
i'm afraid the rematch wouldn't be as exciting since be more hesitant and wouldn't want to go all out like he did the first time.
I see Pavlik making more adjustments than Taylor. Ultimately Pavlik will avoid that left hook next time and win again. And this time probably more decisively.
I really doubt Taylor can win a rematch, especially if it happens at 168. Taylor most of his carreer fought much smaller guys (except for BH), thus, could empose his size and win those fights. Against Pavlik such advantage was totally negated. Moreover, unlike BH, Pavlik has a tremendous output with serious power, which Taylor had never encountered before. Taylor needs to stay at 160 and avoid Pavlik, IMHO.
I totally agree. IMO, taylor has the physical skills to beat pavlik (handspeed, jab, power, etc...) but not the mental game. Its seems like he has one gameplan and if it doesnt work, he can't adjust or change a strategy. He doesn't listen to Uncle Manny and doesn't think well in the ring. Now look at a guy like Waldo :nut who had great physical skills but mentally was out of it. Manny has restored his confidence. More importantly, he listens to his corner's instructions. No better is steward's positive influence exhibited in the Peter fight. U can have the best trainer in the world, but it doesnt matter if u dont listen to him
Taylor is what he is. There's no changing into a counter punching slick boxer over night. Second fight will go the same way. If Taylor can finish an early onslaught, he wins. If not, he's KTFO again.