Taylor wants his rematch

[booklord]

Based off recent interviews it looks like Taylor will ignore the advice of his handlers and invoke the clause in the fight contract forcing a rematch with Pavlik as soon as possible. That puts a fight in early 2008. ( January? February? )

Personally I've got to go with Taylor's handlers on this one. A second fight with Pavlik will be twice as hard as the last one and Taylor will need to make a lot of improvements to win.

Pavlik has learned respect for Taylor's power and speed which will improve his defense and make it highly unlikely the former champ will catch Pavlik careless again. Worse, Pavlik now knows Taylor's biggest weakness (his stanima) and will likely press the fight even harder to exploit it. If Taylor holds back and conserves his energy, Pavlik will dominate him on activity. If he fights at Pavlik's pace he won't have the energy to make it 12 rounds. His only real hope as I see it is to improve his defense to the point where he can block or avoid Pavlik's attacks without draining his stanima and then use his hand speed and offensive skill to land enough of his own blows to win the rounds. But is Jermain "Bad Habits" Taylor capable of that level of improvement in a few months?

Based on what he's saying we'll see soon.

[Shake]

Taylor needs to take this rematch -- even if it's only a 30% shot. Only other way to go is up -- and things aren't any easier up there.

[Drofrah]

Its good that Taylor wants it, shows the determination needed to be a champion.

[Marnoff]

If he declines or shies away from a rematch that he can get, consider him ruined as a fighter. If he takes the rematch it will demonstrate that his spirit wasn't also broken in this fight.

[klion22]

Taylor doesn't need a lot of improvement if they fight again. He floored Pavlik in the 2nd. His problem is that he stayed in front of Pavlik too much. And if he learns to box more and stay on the outside and pick his spots and come in once in a while, he does have the skills to win a UD. If anything, it's Taylor that should improve because he has learned. Pavlik does only one thing and that is go forward. Taylor is the more talented fighter and if he used his talents properly, he should be able to win. But that's a big IF as he's displayed time and time again that he can't listen to his trainers.

[dragosuhail]

yeah, i think it will only be harder for taylor second time round. i've watched the fight about 5 times now, and when he had pavlik hurt, he really, really threw his whole weight into all those punches. i think taylor connected with something like 50 power shots?

and he trained up in the pochanos? so he was probably in the best shape of his career, yet still could not do fuck all when he had pavlik down.

and to make things worse he didn't lose but decision or tko. he lost by KTFO!

pavlik was make all the adjustments and be even more confident if that is possible while Jermaine "Nervous Intentions" Taylor will only burn up more energy in a rematch. no way pavlik will taunt taylor will recieving a volley of power shots again!

i bet i know what taylor is thinking... he is looking at that great second round he had, and is WILLING himself into believeing that if "only i threw uppercuts like everyone was screaming at me too", he will get pavlik out of there in a rematch.....

well he can fool himself all he wants, but the moment he is about to walk out of the dressing room, the nerves will burn up way more energy than it did first time round :deal

this will paralyese taylor again, and make his non-existant defence even worse! and because pavlik will not make the same mistake twice, he will probably break down taylor faster.

[saul_ir34]

I agree with you. It seems like he cant listen to his trainers. He needs to get that left hand up and cant afford to get hit with that right hand. He also cant trade with him. throw your combination then when he comes forward with his attack take two steps back then one to the side. keep circling him! not backing up into the ropes where your target practice. if he does this i dont see why he cant beat him. he is more athletically gifted than Pavlik

[klion22]

I'm with you on this one. I had picked Pavlik to win their first fight based on the flaws that Taylor had shown in his previous three fights.

When I saw the fight, I saw that Taylor, with all his flaws, was still technically better than Pavlik-as far as boxing skills are concerned, was faster, had better footwork, and was just as stong as Pavlik.

His flaws? Not enough head movement, was dropping his left hand and getting tagged for it, did not go to Pavlik's body at all, and didn't force Pavlik to reset himself at every opportunity. Pavlik is pretty much a plodder, and has to have a still target to be effective or at least that is what I saw in this fight.

Could Taylor improve in this fight? Sure, he can. For one, he knows he can hurt and drop Pavlik too. He also has to have the mindset that it is a twelve round fight, and shouldn't go LOOKING for the KO, which I think he did in their first fight. He has a hell of a battle coming up if he takes the rematch, but now he doesn't have all the pressure in the world to win.

Yeah, by the 2nd round, i was saying to myself that Taylor was going to get caught because he was standing in Pavlik's target zone all night long. He has to improve his ability to make people miss. He does need to move his head. He does need to move sideways more. I.e. be a better boxer because he does have all the talent to beat Pavlik. He has flaws. Can he correct them?

[MrMagic]

Just like Patterson did to Johansson when he wrote history after his devastating knockout loss in '59, Taylor has to gain his composure and fight his mental ghosts, and the only way to defeat them is to win against the man that handed him his first loss. Taylor needs the rematch for his own good.

[ron u.k.]

of course taylor should take the rematch.taylor has probably come out of losing the fight with more credibility then his previous 2 or 3 that he won.at least he looked like a genuine fighting man in there with a big heart.stamina is obviously his problem and he was blowing out of his arse at the end of the 2nd round,although he recovered quite well in the later rounds.his jab was working,he put his combo's together well and showed a good left hook,and most of all he was aggresive.if he can pace himself a little better 2nd time round and somehow improve his stamina why can't he beat pavlik?there is hardly anything between them.i can't speak highly enough of pavlik the way he came through the fight,he is obviously a fighter you have to nail to the canvas to beat,otherwise he is just going to keep coming right at you,i would still favour him to win but let's get this on because it was a helluva fight and has really livened up the middleweight division.

[Shpion]

Taylor deserves major respect for wanting an imediate rematch, showing he has got "balls" That being said, I personally give him a very little chance in beating Pavlik.

[magnificentdave]

Just like Patterson did to Johansson when he wrote history after his devastating knockout loss in '59, Taylor has to gain his composure and fight his mental ghosts, and the only way to defeat them is to win against the man that handed him his first loss. Taylor needs the rematch for his own good.

Great analogy, I was thinking the same thing... Johansen had the bigger punch and was more physically imposing, and he brought the same game plan in all three fights,
I don't see Pavlik changing his routine from what he knows works, and he's been doing it his entire pro career
the decisive factor is Taylor's adaptability and I think the rematch will be the real judge of Taylor's legacy in the future

[bachatu]

I think he may come in and try to knock out Pavlik. I have a feeling he knows he can hurt Pavlik so he will go that route, instead of trying to take him into the late rounds. Almost like when Pac fought Morales for the last time. Morales saw he didn't have it and attempted to slug with him, which resulted in a short fight.

[Lampley]

Normally, I'd say Taylor should take some time to address his weaknesses, but in his case, I'm afraid it won't matter. Jermain simply hasn't shown an ability to adapt.

If he would mind his left hand defense and use his feet to give Kelly just a little side to side movement, he could frustrate Pavlik and at least give himself a chance to win a decision.

But I don't think he'll hurt Pavlik again seriously, and as long as he backs straight up and into the ropes, he's toast.

[gutto]

Im not a fan of Taylor but good for him why not go for the rematch. imo the fight was pritty close. At least hes now starting to act like a champ (a bit late ) I Think the most interesting thing for me is will taylor stay with stweard of swap trainer.

[BewareofDawg]

He better learn to keep his left hand up real quick then. What the fuck is wrong with him anyway???? What is he thinking? What is Emanuel thinking letting him fight that way?? Pavlik was landing his jab, straight right at will. Not even giving angles or fainting, just throwing it and landing it....basic, very basic shit. Taylor needs to touch that left glove to his chin or this won't be his last KO loss in the near future.

[koko of phil]

Taylor should go back to where he went down and only by beating Kelly Pavlik could bring all back, no one else out there could regain his name but the fighter who shamed him. He should take the risk or he would be a bum forever. Who knows win could favor him next time they meet.

[marauder1999]

If he does do it--do any of you feel that manny should still train him?

[Motor City Sam]

He better learn to keep his left hand up real quick then. What the fuck is wrong with him anyway???? What is he thinking? What is Emanuel thinking letting him fight that way?? Pavlik was landing his jab, straight right at will. Not even giving angles or fainting, just throwing it and landing it....basic, very basic shit. Taylor needs to touch that left glove to his chin or this won't be his last KO loss in the near future.

Lots of fighters trained by Steward fight with their left hand low. Hearns and Kenty did it, and so did more recent guys like Lara. That was the Kronk style in the 80's and 90's when the gym was really flourishing. I think it's a crazy way to fight. Some fighters are good enough to get away with it; JT obviously isn't.

[Lacey]

JT is in a rough situation. It's just as you guys said. He might be going into the rematch as the underdog, but he has to do it if he is to regain the pride and respect that he had before this fight.

[Motor City Sam]

If he does do it--do any of you feel that manny should still train him?

No. That obviously isn't working. I actually think it would probably be best for Taylor to go back to his old trainer as his primary, and maybe have a tune up fight to get his form back before a rematch with Pavlik. Probably won't happen that way, though.

[brownshell]

Give Taylor props for having some balls. Unless he learns to throw straight punches he will lose again. He could have kept Pavlik hurt and finished him off if he could do that.

[maciek4]

He should fight him again because if he wins not only he is back at the top but erases this blemish on his record.

[achillesthegreat]

Taylor still has balls like a donkey, I respect this.

[jc]

If Taylor boxes safe he wins quite comfortably imo.

[samita]

If he declines or shies away from a rematch that he can get, consider him ruined as a fighter. If he takes the rematch it will demonstrate that his spirit wasn't also broken in this fight.
:thumbsup

[bigeddie27]

this is jermain's shot. He needs to be more focused and hungry than ever. I know he can do it. And I am picking Jermain to win the next fight. By KO.

[klion22]

That's a BIG if.

Very big IF. He got away with his technical flaws against B level fighters but against elite fighters, he was tested. He only has one loss but anyone watching some of his fights against the best can make a good case that he lost some or all of them. If he doesn't box and pick his spots a little more i think he will get KOed. I hope he isn't THAT stupid.