Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
14.06.06 - By Darryl Waterhouse: This Saturday night sees one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year between Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright. After the catastrophic disappointment of the cancelled rubber match between Corrales and Castillo, I think we deserve this. The young, fast, heavy-handed, and undisputed king of the 160 lb division, Jermain Taylor (25-0, 17 KO's), with the meteoric rise almost from obscurity, against the older, steely willed, canny, boxing totalitarian, Winky Wright (50-3, 25 KO's).
Potentially, and I don’t need to say this to anyone who knows an inkling about boxing, the mix of the characters and their abilities isn’t going to make for anything explosive. No, instead, I believe we will be watching two men in their prime, both looking to make their marks in the echelons of boxing history for the beautiful purity by which both men ply their trade. Ticket sales don’t lie. And should you want to watch to assist yourself describing the art to pugilism to your off-spring, then start with this. Living in the UK, I’m more than happy to sit up for almost the entirety of Saturday night to watch what I believe will be a spectacle of fast, accurate punching, fleet footwork, defensive mastery, and generally superb ringman-ship.
We’ve got two character professionals. No requirements here for name calling, and both men already hit the scales on the 7 day pre-fight weigh in, as per instruction.
Both men will be amazingly fit and strong. I don’t believe either will have struggled with the weight.
We will see them make eye contact before the bout in the most respectful of fashions, and when they touch gloves before getting down to work, I’m sure in the deepest areas of both gentlemens’ psyche, they’ll be hoping neither of them get beat up too much.
Taylor, for the uninitiated, is the flashy, quick punching fighter carrying an unbeaten record. However, don’t be fooled by the smile, or the generally nice demeanour, he carries his nickname of ‘Bad Intentions’ for his ability. This guy has been in the ring twice with legend Bernard Hopkins. And, although I felt that the second fight went his way (albeit on dispute of many fans), he seemed to struggle with the come-forward, I will work you out methodology B-Hop is famed for. For me, certainly on the night of the second bout, Bernard did not do nearly enough to take back those belts.
Taylors’ rise has been fast, and earlier I used the word meteoric, though in all honesty, he quite literally came from nowhere. Only the knowledgeable fans had heard of Jermain before he fought Hopkins for the first time. Taylor was 23-0-0 when he did get in against Hopkins, and many also believed he hadn’t really paid his dues before getting his shot, but he had enough about him to give Hopkins more trouble than most. On Saturday, Taylor will have had less than half the bouts of his opponent.
Ronald Wright on the other hand, the heavy handed, accurate punching, port-sided slickster carries one of the most enviable records any present boxer could possibly have. Long left in the wilderness during the more difficult periods in his career when no-one would sign-up to face him, he was forced to travel the globe in search of those ‘learning’ fights. Yes, those three defeats scar his beautiful record as a professional, but that is not what this is about. ‘Winky’ Wright has finally peaked, and oh my word how he has. I don’t need to go in to what he did to Shane, or Tito. We’ve all seen the bouts, and I’m sure we were all commensurately amazed that an under-performer in many of his earlier bouts could actually do what he did in front of our very eyes. Indeed, one of my personal frustrations when I watched Wright in several earlier fights was that he didn’t seem to do enough.
But for me, all this is what makes it oh so captivating. Though those last two wins for Taylor make him the man (a disputable title – having beaten one man), but I still look at Jermain as something of an unknown quantity. I mean, of course we learn far more when a fighters’ record becomes blemished with defeat for the first time. But here in Jermain’s case, he’s up against it. He’s facing a man with three losses (two perhaps contentious), but a man in Wright we know enough about that will leave Taylor worried, and very worried!
What will he do under the accurate jabbing, brilliant defensive work and ring closure of Wright?
We know Taylor can jab, we know Wright can jab. Will Taylors’ left hand be enough to stop Wright coming at him?
Neither man likes to waste a punch, so don’t expect fireworks, certainly not in the early stages. Though, I like to think if one man can see and opening to an end, he’ll step in, and at least try to take it.
Both men will want to command, Taylor from the outside as the taller rangier man, to look for openings, and point score. In contrast, Wright will work from centre stage. Wright when standing has such amazingly long arms that his guard is crab-like. Hitting him around the arms and body has seemingly little effect, so Taylor will need to work the ring and hope he can prise open that guard, hit with accuracy, and try to grind down the older man to a stand-still.
Taylor is more open than Wright, but will look to use his movement to counter Wright’s devastatingly accurate right-hand jab, and slashing lefts.
I expect to see Wright working Taylors’ body, and he will if he wants to see a more static opponent! Wright will carry high hands crunched up to avoid being struck, his boxing brain working tirelessly for chances to get inside and do his better work.
The first several rounds will be telling, and the first round itself will be much of a feeling out round with tight defences from both men, not much thrown, nothing missing, no embarrassments. However, I mention that these rounds will be telling simply because come the scorecards, they may just be the difference between the two fighters.
Tactically, both are sound, though I lean towards Wright as the more experienced and well rounded boxer to prevail in the tactical stakes. Incidentally, this will be Taylors’ 26th bout, and Wrights 54th!)
Eventually, the more schooled work from Wright to begin to break up the less seasoned new kid, though I reckon that Taylor will have enough in the tank to see the fight to the final bell.
I just don’t believe Taylor knows enough to cause Wright too many issues, and that this will be a learning fight for him, I just can’t see him having enough for the better boxer in Winky. Yes, Ronald Wright is 34 years old, but he’s a young boxer for his age, non-grizzled, and like a fine wine, has matured steadily and consistently through his career.
12 championship rounds are a long haul, and I firmly believe this fight will go the full distance, but just for once, I’m actually looking forward it.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
An intriguing match up this one. expect a tactical fight and a decision...
winky is too good for taylor IMO, but expect a tough, gritty performance from taylor....
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by miles
An intriguing match up this one. expect a tactical fight and a decision...
winky is too good for taylor IMO, but expect a tough, gritty performance from taylor....
I see winky as a younger Hopkins...with a little better defense/less offense...I think Hopkins has a great defense but Winky's is in a class of its own...and I think after the Tarver fight people remembered that B-HOP has a pretty good offense.....the level of frustration Winky will give Tarver will overload him..IMO...
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Winky Wright is going to get hurt for the first time in his career ;)
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by Hairdoo
Winky Wright is going to get hurt for the first time in his career ;)
He's been hurt and knocked down before, but I agree that he's in for a good country ass whoopin.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Let me first say that I hate both of these guys. Maybe not hate but strongly dislike. I have my reasons. Now onto the fight. I see it being fairly close, I dunno really know who is gonna win. I do know that Taylor can hurt Winky but Winky cannot hurt Taylor IMO, least not with one punch. But Winky's defense will be nearly impossible to penetrate. I see it bein a tactical fight like others, with Winky probably outpointing Taylor by around 8-4 or 7-5. Unless Taylor can keep him at the end of his punches. If Winky does beat him I hope he gets the decision and doesn't get screwed over like B-Hop. I say between these two, let the best ass clown win.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by tuckwopat
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Originally Posted by Hairdoo
Winky Wright is going to get hurt for the first time in his career ;)
He's been hurt and knocked down before, but I agree that he's in for a good country a** whoopin.
Can't wait to hear the excuses after the fight about J.Ts lack of offense ....."J.T was not himself" ...That will be the most likely response after J.T completely shuts down offensively....Instead of admitting that Winky gave him no opportunity to be himself.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
I don't think Taylor is built for Wright, very few people have the style to beat Winky imo. I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record here (and it will only get worse come time of the fight) but I think the figher who has the best shot at beating Winky is someone who does good while fighting moving back, someone good at timing someone coming in. Winky walks his opponents back with his jab and he shouldn't be TO hard to time coming in since he does it at a fairly steady pace but the trick is to avoid the jab and of course...penetrate the defense. I think you have to be a straight puncher and hit right through the uprights, that's the weak point of his defense. These are not qualities Jermain posesses imo. Just my opinion but I think Wright is a stylistic nightmare for 99% of fighters in boxing.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by Hulk
Let me first say that I hate both of these guys. Maybe not hate but strongly dislike. I have my reasons. Now onto the fight. I see it being fairly close, I dunno really know who is gonna win. I do know that Taylor can hurt Winky but Winky cannot hurt Taylor IMO, least not with one punch. But Winky's defense will be nearly impossible to penetrate. I see it bein a tactical fight like others, with Winky probably outpointing Taylor by around 8-4 or 7-5. Unless Taylor can keep him at the end of his punches. If Winky does beat him I hope he gets the decision and doesn't get screwed over like B-Hop. I say between these two, let the best ass clown win.
What's your reason for Winky?
He's not a guy who I can see anyone hating him. I mean, what did he do to envoke hate? Other then appear along side 50 Cent in that Reebok commerical of course haha and Taylor, I like him. Good guy who seems well grounded but he will have a huge band of Hopkins Nuthuggers Taylor haters ;D
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by SecondRoundKO
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Originally Posted by Hulk
Let me first say that I hate both of these guys. Maybe not hate but strongly dislike. I have my reasons. Now onto the fight. I see it being fairly close, I dunno really know who is gonna win. I do know that Taylor can hurt Winky but Winky cannot hurt Taylor IMO, least not with one punch. But Winky's defense will be nearly impossible to penetrate. I see it bein a tactical fight like others, with Winky probably outpointing Taylor by around 8-4 or 7-5. Unless Taylor can keep him at the end of his punches. If Winky does beat him I hope he gets the decision and doesn't get screwed over like B-Hop. I say between these two, let the best a** clown win.
What's your reason for Winky?
He's not a guy who I can see anyone hating him. I mean, what did he do to provoke hate? haha and Taylor, I like him but he will have a huge band of Hopkins fans Taylor haters ;D
Hating either one of these guys is just nonsense. They're not dicks, or ego driven, or rapists, or wifebeaters.
I think Taylor will win, but I think he's gonna be more aggressive than people think. Taylor's probably stronger and better than anyone Winky has faced. Aggression worked well enough for Vargas against Wink.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by fatsandy
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Originally Posted by tuckwopat
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Originally Posted by Hairdoo
Winky Wright is going to get hurt for the first time in his career ;)
He's been hurt and knocked down before, but I agree that he's in for a good country a** whoopin.
Can't wait to hear the excuses after the fight about J.Ts lack of offense ....."J.T was not himself" ...That will be the most likely response after J.T completely shuts down offensively....Instead of admitting that Winky gave him no opportunity to be himself.
Hey Fat if Winky hands Taylor his ass then I won't hesitate in giving him his props. I'd be happy to say I was wrong because if anyone deserves the win it is Wright and not Taylor after the first BHop fight. (did I just say that) 8)
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
JT may well be made for Winky however it feasible that Wright is made for Taylor given that Taylor uses that huge jab and is the larger man.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Funny but a see it as just the opposite, winky is a master counter slick southpaw, but.... you must be in range for him to hit you, taylors range due to his natural physical stature does not put him in winks countering mode, he can stand their pop the jab and belive me winky will not hit his target very often, winky is made for taylor.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
I don't believe that Taylor is made for Wright...but I do believe that he'll get outboxed down the stretch.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Winky will get stopped, he's never fought a middleweight in his career, Bhop was just as good as him defensively, and much better offensively, and he or Taylor would beat Winky, imo. I think Winky is slightly overrated. I recognize he is a great fighter, but MOsley almost beat him in the second fight, and he's a natural lightweight who just had enough speed and accuracy to make it close... I think he is overrated on the Tito win, because Trinidad was just lethargic in there.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Man, I'm really surprised to hear somebody say they "hate" either of these two guys. IMO, they're two of the more respectable guys in the game today in any class. I'm like the other guy, why do you hate Winky? Obviously you hate Taylor b/c of his fights with X. Which, if you're a die-hard Hopkins fan, is understandable in the first fight. I thought B-Hop won too, but he didn't do anything in the first 4-5 rounds. I think he averaged 7 punches throw per round in the span of the first fight, so I sure didn't feel sorry for him. The second one I've seen several times, and while it was close, as a neutral observer and big boxing fan, Taylor won that one.
Now to this fight. I think it'll be a very good, very close fight. Those tuning in for blood and a plethora of power shots might not enjoy it, but boxing purists should love it. I really don't know who's going to win, but If I have to, I'll pick Taylor. The buzz after Taylor's public workout Wednesday is that he looks fantastic. He's got a laser jab and, if nothing else, was dead even at the worst in 24 rounds with the executioner, one of the best boxers in the last 20 years. Winky ain't B-hop, and Taylor will only be better. He's young, so naturally he should progress with each fight, plus the addition of Emanuel Steward. I really look for Taylor to be pretty sharp and win 8-4 or 7-5. Can't wait and good luck to both of these guys.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by p4pking
Winky will get stopped, he's never fought a middleweight in his career, Bhop was just as good as him defensively, and much better offensively, and he or Taylor would beat Winky, imo. I think Winky is slightly overrated. I recognize he is a great fighter, but MOsley almost beat him in the second fight, and he's a natural lightweight who just had enough speed and accuracy to make it close... I think he is overrated on the Tito win, because Trinidad was just lethargic in there.
Holy shit...who are you & WTF have you done with the rational p4pking? ;)
You think that if Mosley did better than he did against Wright the second time...he almost beat him? So let me ask you this...if a guy & a virgin are making out in a car & he get's in a finger...is the girl no longer a virgin?
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
Winky is going to test Jermains body ;)
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by Starr
Winky is going to test Jermains body ;)
:bananasex: :puke:
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
If anything, I think Wright is made for Taylor
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by tuckwopat
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Originally Posted by SecondRoundKO
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Originally Posted by Hulk
Let me first say that I hate both of these guys. Maybe not hate but strongly dislike. I have my reasons. Now onto the fight. I see it being fairly close, I dunno really know who is gonna win. I do know that Taylor can hurt Winky but Winky cannot hurt Taylor IMO, least not with one punch. But Winky's defense will be nearly impossible to penetrate. I see it bein a tactical fight like others, with Winky probably outpointing Taylor by around 8-4 or 7-5. Unless Taylor can keep him at the end of his punches. If Winky does beat him I hope he gets the decision and doesn't get screwed over like B-Hop. I say between these two, let the best a** clown win.
What's your reason for Winky?
He's not a guy who I can see anyone hating him. I mean, what did he do to provoke hate? haha and Taylor, I like him but he will have a huge band of Hopkins fans Taylor haters ;D
Hating either one of these guys is just nonsense. They're not dicks, or ego driven, or rapists, or wifebeaters.
I think Taylor will win, but I think he's gonna be more aggressive than people think. Taylor's probably stronger and better than anyone Winky has faced. Aggression worked well enough for Vargas against Wink.
Allow me to explain myself. It is very difficult for me to like and respect a man who, along with HBO and Lou Dibella, steals a great Champion's title, then lets Dibella dry hump them when they announce the crooked decision. Now onto Winky, while not outspoken, in the ring he is an arrogant jerk. He is nearly all defense, takes very little risks, and is simply a boring fighter, a great one for sure, but I don't like to watch him. Also the big thing is that so many experts, HBO's Emmanuel Steward at one time even, claim him to be UNBEATABLE. A GOD of sorts, a guy who no mortal can defeat. It pisses me off. I did find it amusing, that an amatuerish Sam Soliman came damn close though.
Re: Is Jermaine Taylor made for Wright?
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Originally Posted by wacko3205
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Originally Posted by p4pking
Winky will get stopped, he's never fought a middleweight in his career, Bhop was just as good as him defensively, and much better offensively, and he or Taylor would beat Winky, imo. I think Winky is slightly overrated. I recognize he is a great fighter, but MOsley almost beat him in the second fight, and he's a natural lightweight who just had enough speed and accuracy to make it close... I think he is overrated on the Tito win, because Trinidad was just lethargic in there.
Holy S***...who are you & WTF have you done with the rational p4pking? ;)
You think that if Mosley did better than he did against Wright the second time...he almost beat him? So let me ask you this...if a guy & a virgin are making out in a car & he get's in a finger...is the girl no longer a virgin?
What do you mean, MOsley did (sort of) almost beat him... It really came down to the last round, imo... I mean what were the scores? there was one even card I know and I think the others were Winky by 1 round.. I would say Mosley did more than slip a finger in, there were times when he had some full penetration of Winkys defense :-X ;D
