By Brad Young
iamus21@hotmail.com
In this feature article we take a look at excellent fighters who have been at the end of tough losses…and just what the future holds for them….
First up..
Jermain Taylor (28-4-1 17KO)
An earner of an Olympic bronze medal, Taylor burst on the scene fighting his way to the top to face Bernard Hopkins who had reigned as the Middleweight Champion for years. In two thrilling bouts, Taylor defeated Hopkins by split-decision and later unanimous decision to capture the Undisputed Middleweight Champion and becoming a hometown hero for Arkansas.
Taylor would make several defenses of his title but questions arose through tough bouts with Cory Spinks and Winky Wright, bouts that ended in a split-decision victory and a draw. Looming for a title shot was up and coming Kelly Pavlik, an undefeated prospect who battled his way to the top.
Although Taylor fought bravely, dropping Pavlik in the 2nd Round, Pavlik would come back to hand Taylor his first loss by knocking him out in the Seventh Round.
Taylor fought much smarter in the rematch, taking a solid lead half-way through the fight. Still Pavlik stayed with him and his efforts in rounds 11 and 12 earned him a unanimous decision over Taylor.
After his first two losses, Taylor called upon former Olympic teammate Jeff Lacy, who had also suffered a very rough first loss, for a match to boost their careers.
Moving up to Super-Middleweight, Taylor boxed well and earned himself a well fought victory over Jeff Lacy by unanimous decision.
Taylor then earned a shot at a Super-Middleweight Title against undefeated Carl Froch. The fight was heartbreaker as Taylor dropped Froch early in the fight and entered the 12th round up on points. But Froch in a desperate effort shocked the crowd to come back and win by TKO in the 12th round.
Coming off the tough loss, Jermain Taylor seized opportunity by enlisting in Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic, a tournament displaying the best super-middleweights from all over the world.
Taylor caught a rough draw though, facing yet another undefeated fighter in Arthur Abraham, a very solid fighter. Although Taylor boxed very well, it was Abraham landing the cleaner hard shots. Entering the 12th down on points Taylor continued to box and search for a good opening. Nevertheless, Abraham caught him solidly on the chin in what was a very tough KO loss. Taylor was taken to a local medical center and checked out ok, but his promoters insisted he take time off…or even very well retire.
Going against his promoters wishes, Taylor decided to remain in the tournament, leaving his promoters to drop him from their stable of fighters. They believe Taylor should retire on health based reasons, namely the tough knockout losses he has suffered in the past few years.
But in taking more time to think about his future, Jermain Taylor eventually decided on stepping out of Showtime’s Super Six Boxing Classic. Now only one question remains…where does the road lead for Jermain Taylor?
My thoughts:
At age 31 I believe Taylor should and can continue fighting. But I do believe he should take a short rest and work towards peak physical and mental conditioning. I believe he should step back and take some tune-up fights and work his way back up the rankings.
Criticize all you want, but this is a man whose last five fights have been against undefeated top fighters, except Jeff Lacy who had only one defeat. I’m a fan and in my mind Taylor no doubt has heart to keep stepping back up to the plate in the midst of losses against top opposition.
I would really like to see him shine one more time before retirement and that opportunity is awaiting.
With Taylor and Dibella Promotions coming to terms concerning his time off, now only time will tell if Jermain Taylor can display the abilities that made him a star so very early in his career. With proper training and conditioning anything can happen, but Taylor will have to work his way from the bottom up as the Super-Middleweight Division has begun to overflow with talent. But, I believe that is just what he needs.
For Jermain Taylor’s future in boxing, stay posted.
