Exclusive Boxing Interview: Jermain Taylor

Photo ©Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing

In lieu of any last minute cancellations due to injuries, a problem that boxing has been plagued with since the beginning of September this Saturday should be “A Perfect Matchup” between Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor, 27-0-1 (17), and Kelly Pavlik, 31-0 (28), from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

Both fighters are undefeated and have styles that should prove to be an exciting fight. In his recent outings although, Taylor received a draw against Winky Wright and while he won decisions against Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks, his critics have been harsh about his performances.

Taylor concedes that his performances have been lackluster in his last three outings which were all southpaw fighters but also that he still is undefeated.

SaddoBoxing caught up with Jermain Taylor in an exclusive interview during his training camp in the Poconos to discuss his upcoming fight with Pavlik.

SaddoBoxing: How has your training camp been going?

Jermain Taylor: “My training camp has gone very well up here in the Pocono Mountains; a lot of fishing.”

SB: Have you brought in any special sparring opponents to prepare for Pavlik?

JT: “I would not say special, but we brought in sparring partners as we always do that will give me good work and are similar to the fighter I will be fighting.”

SB: Considering that you have commented recently that you feel your last few outings were somewhat lackluster, do you feel additional pressure to put on a dominating performance against Pavlik?

JT: “Lets just say that I’m very motivated and glad that I’m not fighting a southpaw like my last three fights. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself. I’m very confident that I will put on a good performance. This is my kind of fight.”

SB: It seemed when you fought Ouma you were looking for a knockout early in the fight and it took you away from your game plan; what will you do to try and keep your composure and not let the same thing happen against Pavlik?

JT: “Remember that was my first fight in Little Rock since I won the title and I wanted to put on a good show for my hometown, so I may have been pushing it a little to much.

“That won’t happen this fight; styles make fights and Kelly has the kind of style as a fighter that I like to fight. He’s right handed and I know just how he will fight this fight.”

SB: How do you rate Pavlik’s skills against your own?

JT: “I respect Kelly as a fighter; we fought as amateurs and he is a good puncher, but his skills do not compare to mine. I’m very confident about my own skills and my preparation for this fight.”

SB: Do you feel your resume gives you an advantage over Pavlik considering he has not faced the same level of opposition?

JT: “I have fought some very skilled fighters that compared to Kelly, does not match on paper. Those fights gave me a lot of additional experience that will be very helpful for this fight. But, I still have to go out and take care of business and use all the knowledge, experience and skills to my advantage.”

SB: What predictions can you offer for September 29?

JT: “Jermain Taylor will come away with the victory.”

SB: Beyond this fight you have mentioned that you intend to campaign at super middleweight; is the 160 weight class difficult for you to make or do you feel that the super middleweight division has more to offer?

JT: “This is my last fight at 160, I will be moving up to 168. I have fought at 160 since I turned professional in 2000. There are a lot of good fights in that division and I’m ready to make that move after this fight.”

SB: You just turned 29 last month, which is your prime in the sport; how long would you like to compete in boxing?

JT: “I’m really not thinking about that now, with the fight a week away my focus is on September 29th.”

SB: You have already accomplished so much in the sport; what else would you like to accomplish in your career?

JT: “World Champion at 168 pounds would be a very nice accomplishment for my resume.”

SB: One last question that I have to ask, I mentioned earlier about your comments on your last few performances against all southpaws were somewhat lackluster, whose choice was it to continue facing southpaw fighters and why continue down a path that gave you so much difficulty?

JT: “Team Taylor made the choice and I take full responsibilities for everything. We are fighting a right handed fighter, so we are not going down the same path.”

SB: I really appreciate your time and wish you the best of luck against Pavlik.

JT: “Thank you.”

Special thanks to Taylor ’s publicist Norman Horton for setting up the interview.