Taylor needs to beat Pavlik impressively or else..

[Martini643]

his reputation as a champion is on the line. hes had too many close fights during his reign as champion and I think another close win or draw drops him out of the p4p rankings or at least pushes him back a bit. A solid win over Pavlik is what he needs, anyone else agree?

[nezy37]

A win is a win. I think everyone respects Pavlics skills.

[WhataRock]

Though I think in some ways this fight has the potential to showcase Taylor a lot more than in previous fights, I wouldnt hold it against him if he struggles.
Pavlik is a monster middleweight, he is relentless and has decent fundamental skills.

Taylor SHOULD have been beating welterweights Spinks and Ouma with a lot more ease. I dont expect it to be to easy for him against Kelly.
He may be just to quick for Pavlik and beat him quite easily but he may have a real tough time with his pressure and size.

He should win this though, as much as I want to see Pav win it.

[Martini643]

Though I think in some ways this fight has the potential to showcase Taylor a lot more than in previous fights, I wouldnt hold it against him if he struggles.
Pavlik is a monster middleweight, he is relentless and has decent fundamental skills.

Taylor SHOULD have been beating welterweights Spinks and Ouma with a lot more ease. I dont expect it to be to easy for him against Kelly.
He may be just to quick for Pavlik and beat him quite easily but he may have a real tough time with his pressure and size.

He should win this though, as much as I want to see Pav win it.


id like to see pavlik move up to super middle where the action is or even light heavyweight

[sues2nd]

his reputation as a champion is on the line. hes had too many close fights during his reign as champion and I think another close win or draw drops him out of the p4p rankings or at least pushes him back a bit. A solid win over Pavlik is what he needs, anyone else agree?

I cant disagree more.

He had two airtight wins vs one of the best of all time at that weight (tho I had Hop winning the first and a draw in the second...). He then drew with (I had it a draw) one of the top p4p fighters alive. Then he shutout a former LMW champion (and a DAMN GOOD FIGHTER) as a tuneup. He then eaked out an ugly win vs a defensive southpaw, who is also a former undisputed champion and a damn good fighter himself (like him or not)....and a fighter in which EVERYONE looks bad against.

Now he is taking on the best the weightclass has to offer. The most dangerous fighter at 160 BY FAR!

Even if he loses his reputation as a champion will stay the same. Since the guy won the belts....he has taken on only the best (and fought a former undisputed champion and another former champion as tune ups basically...). He ducked noone. And whether you feel he beat Bernard or deserved the draw vs Winky or not....he was at least in this fights....vs HOF fighters.

I am a Taylor fan...and Im sorry, I cannot see how anyone cant be...

:good

[doom bull]

This is huge fight. The most intriguing to me since Vitali vs. Lennox. Someone said it won't be PPV????

[JETSKI]

This is huge fight. The most intriguing to me since Vitali vs. Lennox. Someone said it won't be PPV????

REGULAR HBO!!!

:good

[Lampley]

I cant disagree more.

He had two airtight wins vs one of the best of all time at that weight (tho I had Hop winning the first and a draw in the second...). He then drew with (I had it a draw) one of the top p4p fighters alive. Then he shutout a former LMW champion (and a DAMN GOOD FIGHTER) as a tuneup. He then eaked out an ugly win vs a defensive southpaw, who is also a former undisputed champion and a damn good fighter himself (like him or not)....and a fighter in which EVERYONE looks bad against.

Now he is taking on the best the weightclass has to offer. The most dangerous fighter at 160 BY FAR!

Even if he loses his reputation as a champion will stay the same. Since the guy won the belts....he has taken on only the best (and fought a former undisputed champion and another former champion as tune ups basically...). He ducked noone. And whether you feel he beat Bernard or deserved the draw vs Winky or not....he was at least in this fights....vs HOF fighters.

I am a Taylor fan...and Im sorry, I cannot see how anyone cant be...

:good

Good post. I was pretty hard on Jermain after the Spinks fight, and rightfully so, I think, but the fact that people ragged on his competition now just looks stupid. His tune-ups are against prime, former champs, and beating those guys means more than some big, uninspired guy just looking for a payday.

I can't decide on this one yet. Very close.

[doom bull]

REGULAR HBO!!!

:good

Just like Klit vs. Lennox. God Bless.

[Martini643]

Good post. I was pretty hard on Jermain after the Spinks fight, and rightfully so, I think, but the fact that people ragged on his competition now just looks stupid. His tune-ups are against prime, former champs, and beating those guys means more than some big, uninspired guy just looking for a payday.

I can't decide on this one yet. Very close.



im talking about he hasnt had any good performances for someone who is a recognized undefeated undisputed champion in his prime who is a huge middleweight at 6'1 and is built like a light heavyweight who can't close the show against pint sized ouma and his boring fight against a small guy like spinks who has no power.

[Zakman]

I cant disagree more.

He had two airtight wins vs one of the best of all time at that weight (tho I had Hop winning the first and a draw in the second...). He then drew with (I had it a draw) one of the top p4p fighters alive. Then he shutout a former LMW champion (and a DAMN GOOD FIGHTER) as a tuneup. He then eaked out an ugly win vs a defensive southpaw, who is also a former undisputed champion and a damn good fighter himself (like him or not)....and a fighter in which EVERYONE looks bad against.

Now he is taking on the best the weightclass has to offer. The most dangerous fighter at 160 BY FAR!

Even if he loses his reputation as a champion will stay the same. Since the guy won the belts....he has taken on only the best (and fought a former undisputed champion and another former champion as tune ups basically...). He ducked noone. And whether you feel he beat Bernard or deserved the draw vs Winky or not....he was at least in this fights....vs HOF fighters.

I am a Taylor fan...and Im sorry, I cannot see how anyone cant be...

:good

Oh, please. Taylor - at best - squeaked by Hopkins and drew with Wright. Many thought he lost all three fights. And what has he done since winning the title? Fight nothing but blown up fighters from lower weight divisions, none of whom he has beaten impressively.

He's fighting Pavlik, because he and Dibella KNOW that his reputation as a "champion" IS on the line. Frankly, I doubt he'll beat Pavlik and think he'll most likely get knocked out. Taylor is, without a doubt, one of the more overrated fighters in recent memory - the product of HBO hype and their influence in getting him decisions in fights he should have lost on the cards. Pavlik is gonna blow him out and end the Taylor Fraud.

[trac209]

Pavilic can't lose unless Taylor runs which he will when he tastes the power. This is no 12 punch per round Bhops. taylor going to get pummeled if he trades. Pavilic by ko 9

[H .]

Just like Klit vs. Lennox. God Bless.

Funny, I didn't think Lennox and Vitali would be very intriguing, I basically thought it would be an easy win for Lewis. It turned out to be a great bout (even if it was only 6 rounds).
...and that's all I'll say about that.
Taylor/Pavlik should be awesome. :smoke

[doom bull]

Funny, I didn't think Lennox and Vitali would be very intriguing, I basically thought it would be an easy win for Lewis. It turned out to be a great bout (even if it was only 6 rounds).
...and that's all I'll say about that.
Taylor/Pavlik should be awesome. :smoke

I still remember that night sitting on the edge of the couch. Fights like these are fights for boxing fans. Not overhyped bullshit like DLH vs. Mayweather.

R.I.P. Dimebag

[Lampley]

im talking about he hasnt had any good performances for someone who is a recognized undefeated undisputed champion in his prime who is a huge middleweight at 6'1 and is built like a light heavyweight who can't close the show against pint sized ouma and his boring fight against a small guy like spinks who has no power.

Winky and Hopkins make it tough to look good against them. And Taylor actually did fight well against Winky, he just didn't create any separation (no shame in that against a PfP fighter).

I also thought he'd look better against Ouma and Spinks, but it's not like those guys are bad fighters. People act like he's Sven Ottke and has been doing just enough for years, but he didn't win the title until just over two years ago, and since then he's had the rematch against Hopkins plus the fight against Winky.

And now Pavlik, which will be like 26 months after winning the title. Like you, I'm hoping we get some clarity this time one way or the other.

[Martini643]

Winky and Hopkins make it tough to look good against them. And Taylor actually did fight well against Winky, he just didn't create any separation (no shame in that against a PfP fighter).

I also thought he'd look better against Ouma and Spinks, but it's not like those guys are bad fighters. People act like he's Sven Ottke and has been doing just enough for years, but he didn't win the title until just over two years ago, and since then he's had the rematch against Hopkins plus the fight against Winky.

And now Pavlik, which will be like 26 months after winning the title. Like you, I'm hoping we get some clarity this time one way or the other.


i actually think if taylor lets his hand go and uses his jab effectively, he can win a decision

[Lampley]

i actually think if taylor lets his hand go and uses his jab effectively, he can win a decision

Me too. I think Taylor "should" win a fight like this, but he always seems to go away from his obvious advantages. I just don't have much confidence in Jermain to read the situation properly, and it doesn't appear so far that Emmanuel has gotten through to him, either.

To me, if Taylor will circle Pavlik and keep him occupied with the jab, he can then selectively exchange, beating Kelly to the punch and landing hard rights in the process. Unlike his recent opponents, Taylor will find Pavlik easy to hit.

But if he hangs out in no-man's land again, or drifts back to the ropes, or abandons the jab and headhunts, he's in big trouble.

[Asterion]

A clear UD win for Taylor is enough for me. A win is a win, I don't expect Taylor to crush Pavlik.

[sues2nd]

Oh, please. Taylor - at best - squeaked by Hopkins and drew with Wright. Many thought he lost all three fights. And what has he done since winning the title? Fight nothing but blown up fighters from lower weight divisions, none of whom he has beaten impressively.

He's fighting Pavlik, because he and Dibella KNOW that his reputation as a "champion" IS on the line. Frankly, I doubt he'll beat Pavlik and think he'll most likely get knocked out. Taylor is, without a doubt, one of the more overrated fighters in recent memory - the product of HBO hype and their influence in getting him decisions in fights he should have lost on the cards. Pavlik is gonna blow him out and end the Taylor Fraud.

:patsch

How come I see eye to eye on most things with ya....until the words Jermaine and Taylor are uttered....:-(

Please name one fighter he should have fought that he ducked?

Hopkins, Hopkins, Wright, Ouma, Spinks. Regardless of what you feel the outcome should have been on any of those, not many other fighters can claim that kind of competition in a career...let alone all in a row.

Ya need to open ya eyes and give credit where credit is due.

[Zakman]

:patsch

How come I see eye to eye on most things with ya....until the words Jermaine and Taylor are uttered....:-( .
Because no two boxing fans agree on EVERYTHING - and that's one of the beauties of these debates. :D

Now, sure, you're right - Taylor hasn't "ducked" opponents - at least initially. I am not at all persuaded, however, that either Ouma OR Spinks were the best opponents for Taylor to fight. ONE guy like that - an easy defense - can be excused, but two in a row?? Surely he could have taken on Miranda, or Abraham, or some other legitimate middleweight.

Pavlik is the first legitimate MW Taylor has taken on since he got those gift decisions against Hopkins. And I think we're gonna find out exactly WHY that has been the case when they meet, too.

[sues2nd]

Because no two boxing fans agree on EVERYTHING - and that's one of the beauties of these debates. :D

Now, sure, you're right - Taylor hasn't "ducked" opponents - at least initially. I am not at all persuaded, however, that either Ouma OR Spinks were the best opponents for Taylor to fight. ONE guy like that - an easy defense - can be excused, but two in a row?? Surely he could have taken on Miranda, or Abraham, or some other legitimate middleweight.

Pavlik is the first legitimate MW Taylor has taken on since he got those gift decisions against Hopkins. And I think we're gonna find out exactly WHY that has been the case when they meet, too.

Well, see thats the thing....we wont agree on everything.

Abraham was injured still and Miranda still hadnt proven a thing. Any other MW just isnt on the level of skill that Ouma or Spinks have...like them or not (I cant fuckin stand Spinks...but he is a good fighter).

Hopkins fought smaller men. Hagler did too. The list could go on and on. It doesnt diminish their greatness (not to put Taylor in that elite class, but you get my point).

[Boinko]

Actually, the way Pavlk is getting hyped on this board lately it's he who may have to win impressively to live up to the expectations that are being thrust upon him.
After all, Taylor has been exposed as a cowardly chump who only fights guys smaller than him, so this fight should be short and one sided, right?

There could very well be a lot of people scrambling for excuses when the fight is over if Pavlik doesn't expose Taylor like is supposed to happen.