I see so many fighters that are stylistically bad for him, most notably -- Librado Andrade, Edison Miranda and Mikkel Kessler. A lot of people might wince at the mention of Miranda and while I'm not a big fan of his, he does have a good chin, determination and power. I wasn't too impressed with Taylor's stamina at 160, and suspect it will be less stellar at 168 with the added weight. I'll be watching very closely at the later rounds in his bout with Lacy, which he should win. Andrade, I'm almost certain, would win against Taylor. Kessler would decimate him from range. He'd be pining for Pavlik should they ever meet. While I'm a big fan of Taylor's athleticism, as it is something rare and special, he's so very much a sprinter and not a marathon runner and it hurts him. He has to pace himself the way older fighters do, and it's a shame.
I agree. Pavlik has forced Taylor out of the middleweight division, but he has pushed him into deeper waters if you ask me. 168 is much stronger in depth, and the guys are naturally bigger, stronger and harder hitting. Taylor winning against any of the belt holders is no certainty.
I agree that Andrade is a horrible style matchup for Taylor and Andrade might eventually be able to score a KO on him. I think he'd easily beat Miranda though. Miranda's power is very overrated, and he tends to be tentative these days, which plays right into Taylor's style. Kessler and Bute are just better than Taylor, IMO.
I think Taylor is the most underrated fighter on this forum. He has wins over Bhop. Even if you disagree with the decision it was very close. He also has a draw with winky. Those are 2 great fighters. I think al lot of people will change their minds about him after the lacy fight and he will get more respect on here.
Andrade is tough for anyone to beat. Kessler pretty much tagged him with everything and he still went the distance. Taylor easily outboxes Miranda IMO although given JT's suspect defense, Miranda would have a shot at landing a haymaker. Bute and Taylor is something i would like to see to find out who comes out on top. Kessler? You would have to give the advantage to Kessler on paper but like Bute, i would like to see this fight happen just to see how it plays out.
He stops Bute IMO, and would UD Andrade if he stays out of trouble. Miranda shouldnt even be mentioned, hes done nothing to warrant being mentioned along side Taylor, hes been starched by the only top class guys hes fought.
I agree, I've said since the first Pavlik fight that I am in no way, shape or form ready to give up on Jermain. The second Pavlik fight only confirmed this in my eyes. If he can keep his mind right I think he has all the tools to be a force at 168. I'm glad he got rid of Manny Steward, which just wasn't a good fit for him.
Taylor vs Bute would be a great fight. Andrade is a bad style matchup for him and I think JT would get stopped late. Kessler would be a great fight but I think Kessler wants Calzaghe or Hopkins next. Taylor would beat Miranda's ass though.
I like Taylor, but he's not going to rise to the top of the Super middle class. His best outing lately was in his second loss to Pavlik. I don't think he'd beat any of the elite at 168, though there might be some good fights to watch. Maybe, I'm wrong and he will start fighting to his potential. Unlikely at this point though.
Taylor is a good fighter but honestly I can't see him rule this division.Most of the top dogs I'd favor to beat him.He already avoided Froch
