Big respect for Jermain Taylor.

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Originally Posted by Deanrw

I thought he did great by timing Kelly defensively. He would wait for Kelly to jab once, then would slip back and to his left. He took away Kelly's double jab and right hand for most of the fight. He also seemed to keep his focus throughout the fight and didn't get nervous like he has been prone to.

Kelly also did great by not getting flustered. Yes he is the champion and all, but he is still young and did not unravel when things were not going his way. Jermaine took away much of Pavlik's bread and Butter punches, but Kelly still poured it on and took what was given to him.

Both guys are true champions in my eyes. Both fought gamely and both earned their paychecks. Pavlik and Taylor both showed us great composure.

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Yeah it was a good fight, more tactical than I imagined it would be. I hope these 2 fight a couple of more times, lol. They might end up being good friends like Ward/Gatti when it's all said and done:D I'm anxious to see JT get back to fighting and going to 168. I want him and Miranda to get banging.

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Originally Posted by LEGION

Yeah it was a good fight, more tactical than I imagined it would be. I hope these 2 fight a couple of more times, lol. They might end up being good friends like Ward/Gatti when it's all said and done:D I'm anxious to see JT get back to fighting and going to 168. I want him and Miranda to get banging.

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I was expecting it to be tactical, at least for the first half. I was expecting Taylor to get vulnerable to Kelly late once he started getting tired. He held himself together well and I am sure is going to be a champion at 168.

I think we will see them fight again, you might see it as Pavlik challenging Taylor for Taylor's 168 belt.

Taylor vs. Miranda is intriguing ;D.

Taylor impressed me, for the first time in a long time he looked as if he had a plan and intended to stick to it. I didn't expect him to be as competitive, but actually ended up diisappointed for him that he allowed Pavlik to outhustle him the last four rounds, granted Pavlik seemed to regain his focus, I just felt Taylor could have done more.

Wasn't impressed with Taylor at all. I definitely had him rated too highly after the Hopkins fights. Pavlik won clearly and was the better man unquestionably.

The thing that most annoys me was that I really believed that Taylor was an almost-light heavy who was murdered at middleweight and that the extra six pounds would make him a new man. I didn't hear he'd only come in at 164 till he was on his way to the ring. Having seen him looking nervous in the dressing room beforehand and Pavlik looking focused I was going to change my pick. After the first round I thought it was going to be more one-sided than the first fight, but Taylor had enough to keep Pavlik off him for twelve rounds. Talor tried to pick Pavlik's pocket though, didn't go for the win or really exchange with him for any extended period so I'm not too thrilled with the performance. He's the perfect opponent for Kessler now.

I am not sure I saw the same fight. Taylor backed up all night. Was more defensive than offensive...basically trying to avoid a KO. He bloodied Pavik's nose but Taylor's face looked like a bowl of my mom's lumpy mashed potatoes. What is the big respect for...that he is a good punching bag? He didn't bring it. He held back as far as I could see. Cautious. Very Cautious. I don't think he has the heart for the sport. With Taylor's skills he should have met Pavik in the middle and let his punches go. Best man stays. Other man drops. That is what he should have done...but no heart.
Chazky

I'm glad to see this thread.

Taylor is a flawed fighter, but he fights hard and with guts. He may have lost the last two fights, but it was because he was simply beaten by a better man. Taylor has nothing to be ashamed of.

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Originally Posted by chazky

I am not sure I saw the same fight. Taylor backed up all night. Was more defensive than offensive...basically trying to avoid a KO. He bloodied Pavik's nose but Taylor's face looked like a bowl of my mom's lumpy mashed potatoes. What is the big respect for...that he is a good punching bag? He didn't bring it. He held back as far as I could see. Cautious. Very Cautious. I don't think he has the heart for the sport. With Taylor's skills he should have met Pavik in the middle and let his punches go. Best man stays. Other man drops. That is what he should have done...but no heart.
Chazky

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That's what makes boxing a great fan sport. Same fight... lots of different views. I didn't see Taylor holding back at all. Sure, he got tired toward the end of the fight. But he traded with Pavlik smartly and picking his spots. Kudos to Taylor for going 12 rounds with a fighter who had handed him a devastating KO in their last fight.

Well Guys I was pretty vocal beforehand that I was rooting for Jermaine.

However, Pavlik didn't win the fight. Taylor lost the fight for himself and handed it to Kelly.
Jermaine had the right skills the right timing, the right defense....everything to beat kelly and he didn't. All he had to do was raise his output for two rounds and that fight was his.

I was fairly gutted Saturday night.

i have to give taylor tons of credit, he proved that the first pavlik defeat had no effect on him and showed a good fight, good luck to him in the future at 168

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Well Guys I was pretty vocal beforehand that I was rooting for Jermaine.

However, Pavlik didn't win the fight. Taylor lost the fight for himself and handed it to Kelly.
Jermaine had the right skills the right timing, the right defense....everything to beat kelly and he didn't. All he had to do was raise his output for two rounds and that fight was his.

I was fairly gutted Saturday night.

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I kind of agree that Taylor should have done more in the later rounds, I don't know if he was gunshy or maybe just content to prove he was better than their first meeting suggested. I'm also dissappointed that he didn't give it a go in the later rounds, though I'm not sure that would have been enough since Pavlik seemed the fresher of the two.