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Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Jermain Taylor vs. Winky Wright WHEN June 17 WHERE FedEx Forum, Memphis TV HBO, no pay-per-view STAKES WBC, WBA and WBO middleweight title RECORDS Taylor (25-0, 17 KOs ); Wright (50-3, 25 KOs ) TICKETS $ 75, $ 100, $ 150, $ 300, $ 500, $ 750, $ 1, 000, $ 1, 250. On sale Friday at FedEx Forum Box office (901-205-2640 ) and all Ticketmaster locations or online at www. ticketmaster. com.
MEMPHIS — Jermain Taylor was busy explaining the admiration and respect he has for Ronald “Winky” Wright when Lou DiBella, Taylor’s promoter, pulled aside a reporter.
“Don’t worry,” DiBella said. “It’s not going to be this friendly on June 17. At least not until after the fight.”
It’s difficult to imagine a boxing news conference as friendly and cheerful as the one Wednesday in the lobby of the FedEx Forum. More than 100 members of media and fans attended the news conference officially introducing the Taylor-Wright middleweight championship fight on June 17 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
In sharp contrast to the multiple news conferences Taylor had with Bernard Hopkins, whom Taylor beat twice to win and retain the middleweight title, there were no insults, trash-talking or crying baby dolls dressed like Wright at this event.
Instead, both fighters expressed appreciation to the other for taking the fight, which is being billed as the most important middleweight fight in more than a decade, and conveyed a mutual respect for the other’s skills.
The fact that the news conference was so cordial was not unexpected, as Taylor and Wright are widely considered two of the classiest guys in boxing.
“It’s an honor to be fighting Winky Wright,” Taylor said. “I have all the respect for him. And this is kind of weird for me. I’m used to being up here talking with Bernard Hopkins, and after we fought you never know what to expect [from him ]. The first time I met Winky [Wednesday ], he came up to me and shook my hand. I didn’t know what to do [when he reached out his hand ]; ‘Is he going to hit me ?’”
About the only similarity to the news conferences with Hopkins was the two fighters’ dress. Taylor, as usual, was wearing a sharp dark suit and tie, while Wright, much like Hopkins, was very casual in sunglasses and a beige warm-up suit and extravagant jewelry.
But as soon as Wright stepped to the podium, it was clear he was different than Hopkins.
“It’s a pleasure to be fighting someone like [Taylor ],” Wright said. “You get some fighters where they want to argue, talk about each other’s mommas. That’s not necessary. This is a sport. I’m here for one reason, to beat Jermain Taylor on June 17. I have nothing against him. He’s a great fighter.”
Taylor certainly had nothing against Wright, but said he is tired of the people who say he still needs to prove himself. Taylor also said he knows beating Wright, a former three-time 154-pound world champion, would erase much of the doubt left about him.
“I’m middleweight champion of the world, and I’m still trying to prove myself,” Taylor said. “I’m sick of hearing it. So, now there’s Winky Wright. What’s one more fight ? If I have to prove myself again, I’ll do it. I’ve proven myself all my life, since I was this big. I can’t wait to do it again.”
Ticket information was also announced Wednesday. Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, with tickets ranging from $ 75-$ 1, 250. Promoters said there are 6, 000 tickets priced $ 100 or less.
Taylor’s camp expects plenty of Arkansans to be buying those tickets, and much was made of the proximity of Memphis to Little Rock, Taylor’s hometown.
“I’m so happy to have a fight in Memphis,” Taylor said. “There’s no way someone’s coming over to my house and beat me up. You ain’t going to do it. I live right down the street from here ! It’s a huge advantage. I’ve got Arkansas behind me and Memphis behind me. I have all of my people, everyone hollering my name.”
Wright (50-3, 25 KOs ) has fought a majority of his bouts overseas, never in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla., and downplayed the hometown angle.
Gary Shaw, Wright’s promoter, also dismissed it.
“I think they’re making a mistake with all this hometown stuff,” Shaw said. “Could be a fatal error in what they’re doing. It’s putting a lot of pressure on yourself that no one else is putting on you. That pressure adds up. It would be smarter of them and less disrespectful of Winky to just talk about the fight and not hometown.”
That was the only time the word “disrespect” was used, however, and the pleasantries went beyond the fighters.
After everyone left the podium Taylor’s mother, Carlois Reynolds, approached Wright and told him how much she respected him, and the two embraced.
“Good luck,” Wright said.
“I have so much respect for you,” Reynolds replied. “The best man has got to win. And after the fight we’re taking you partying !”
Even DiBella and Shaw, who exchanged some very nasty verbal barbs through the media during what were very difficult negotiations, shared a barbecue lunch after the news conference.
One person who didn’t totally buy the feel-good news conference was Taylor’s no-nonsense trainer, Patrick Burns, who said Taylor will have the proper motivation for this fight.
“I’m not worried about that,” Burns said. “You can be the all lovey-dovey you want, but when it comes to fight time, [Taylor ] is going to be a pit bull.” www.nwanews.com
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
:coolclick:
Thanks for posting.
Who you pickin? ;) ;D
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by wacko3205
:coolclick:
Thanks for posting.
Who you pickin? ;) ;D
Honestly, I have to give respect to Winky for all he has done & I don't look past him, but INO Taylor will pull off the UD, but it will be hard!
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by NorthSideX4
Quote:
Originally Posted by wacko3205
:coolclick:
Thanks for posting.
Who you pickin? ;) ;D
Honestly, I have to give respect to Winky for all he has done & I don't look past him, but INO Taylor will pull off the UD, but it will be hard!
If all is fair & fair...I don't see a UD at all...maybe a split if Taylor is back to old form...but I think that he show's Wright too much respect come game time...& that will be a mistake.
If Taylor were to come in determined & focused & 100% the old Taylor...I think that he'd put up a great fight...but I just think that Wright will have too much on him.
Could be wrong...we shall see...either way...this is a great fight for boxing & fans on both sides.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Winky gets my vote. He been waiting for this oppurtunity and im sure he will take it with both hands.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Winky UD. If JT wins, it'll be by KO.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Cool Click Northside for the article,where you been man? I think JT could win but I lean towards P4P number 1 Winky Wright to win and retain top spot via UD. I think it will be a very tactical thinking man's type affair so I'll b interested in seeing what kind of numbers it does PPV wise!
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by The Game
Cool Click Northside for the article,where you been man? I think JT could win but I lean towards P4P number 1 Winky Wright to win and retain top spot via UD. I think it will be a very tactical thinking man's type affair so I'll b interested in seeing what kind of numbers it does PPV wise!
True true, I've been really busy with my business, so I haven't had alot of time
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthSideX4
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Game
Cool Click Northside for the article,where you been man? I think JT could win but I lean towards P4P number 1 Winky Wright to win and retain top spot via UD. I think it will be a very tactical thinking man's type affair so I'll b interested in seeing what kind of numbers it does PPV wise!
True true, I've been really busy with my business, so I haven't had alot of time
Cool,so you been making big $$$??
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by wacko3205
:coolclick:
Thanks for posting.
Who you pickin? ;) ;D
Winky.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Seems like when they glorify things like this it seems to me like they are still trying to use innuendo that Hopkins is still a bad guy.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by cockey cockney
Winky gets my vote. He been waiting for this oppurtunity and im sure he will take it with both hands.
Talking about the fight or Taylor's penis in his mouth?
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by P.G.H Angel Eyes
Seems like when they glorify things like this it seems to me like they are still trying to use innuendo that Hopkins is still a bad guy.
They should just see Hopkins into the Hall of Fame and leave him alone. Because, he's already been screwed towards the end of his career.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
I have a lot of belief in Winky's skill and I think he would win if he wasn't giving up nearly 3 inches in height and about the same in reach coupled with his opponent having alot of power and the reflexes of a 26 year old. Winky is going to have the same problem Hopkins did.. this kid punches to damn hard!
actually the 26yr old part may factor as a negative when up against the best southpaw on the planet. still...
JT by MD ;D
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by wacko3205
...maybe a split if Taylor is back to old form...but I think that he show's Wright too much respect come game time...& that will be a mistake.
If Taylor were to come in determined & focused & 100% the old Taylor...I think that he'd put up a great fight...but I just think that Wright will have too much on him.
Damn Wacko, you've been doin' your homework! I read this and it makes sense. I think I may just bet on the Winkster, come fight night. 8)
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
winky will be too classy and win by ud.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Does anyone know what the current Vegas odds are for this? I'm guessing they slightly favor Winky.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by shza
Does anyone know what the current Vegas odds are for this? I'm guessing they slightly favor Winky.
no.. sportsbook have them even at -115 ;)
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by Hairdoo
actually the 26yr old part may factor as a negative when up against the best southpaw on the planet. still...
JT by MD ;D
Taylor will almost be 28 by fight time not 26. Taylor will wear down Winky and win by late KO or UD. The weight difference will be a big factor. At fight time I bet Taylor will be a good 15+ lbs heavier than Wright. We will see Winky back at 154 after this attempt.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by Pantera
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hairdoo
actually the 26yr old part may factor as a negative when up against the best southpaw on the planet. still...
JT by MD ;D
Taylor will almost be 28 by fight time not 26. Taylor will wear down Winky and win by late KO or UD. The weight difference will be a big factor. At fight time I bet Taylor will be a good 15+ lbs heavier than Wright. We will see Winky back at 154 after this attempt.
yep I stand corrected once again, 2mths off 28yrs old at fight time ;)
If Taylor stays busy, finds Winky's body and his right hand shoots straight then UD but I can't see anyone stopping Wright he is too defensive. I agree with you I think Winky drops down to 154lb after this bout.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Winky by wide points imo. Too much class, too awkward, mobile, smart, great jab. Taylor has a good jab when he uses it, his straight right may be too slow to land on wink substantially. He has a chance if he can box good pressure. You know the more I type, the more i think taylor has a chance. Still, it's all winky for me. You can quote me a few times on this site saying a winky shutout, I've since watched more taylor and now think he might win a few early rounds. This is one for the boxing purists and new school gangsta boxing fans that wink has brought to the table.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
I am leaning toward winky he is just too damn good. Jermain is not that great he does have allot of advantages though, that being said if winky does not totally dominate him then JT will get another gift in the form of a decision win. still I am betting on winky.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Winky is as skilled and smart a fighter as there is in boxing. Now JT might be the bigger man but I don't see that bothering Winky. All he has to do is get in close enough to land that Jab and look for counters which Jermain showed he was vulnerble to in his 2 fights with Bernard. Winky U.D.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pantera
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hairdoo
actually the 26yr old part may factor as a negative when up against the best southpaw on the planet. still...
JT by MD ;D
Taylor will almost be 28 by fight time not 26. Taylor will wear down Winky and win by late KO or UD. The weight difference will be a big factor. At fight time I bet Taylor will be a good 15+ lbs heavier than Wright. We will see Winky back at 154 after this attempt.
Bernard beat Taylor at least 1 out of 2. I watched the second fight again and really, I don't know. Hopkins probably should have won that one too! So, the point is that Winky is even better than Bernard Hopkins right now.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cockey cockney
Winky gets my vote. He been waiting for this oppurtunity and im sure he will take it with both hands.
he only throws jabs so technically, 1 hand ;D
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
winky is too skillfull for jermian taylor,he wins very comfortably.
winky will chew on his balls like a little gremlin afterwards.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
i think winky will win, but lets not forget that taylor is actually pretty darn good.....just because bernard made him look very sloppy at times doesnt mean everyone else can!!!
winky will win a tough and closely contested fight....
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright
Jermain will will win in a shutout or late round KO.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright
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Originally Posted by BigLuke
Jermain will will win in a shutout or late round KO.
Please.
No way he wins a shutout or by knockout.
Winky will win this by SD if fair is fair & on the up & up.
I like Taylor...but I think that come fight night...he will show too much respect. I think that if he does fight as he did prior to the Hopkins matches...it'll be a fire fight with nothing but bombs being thrown...but he has to fight conservatively & with his head.
Taylor showed signs of cracking when he got into the championship rounds in both fights. Hopkins came on at the end & Taylor pulled the ole' deer in headlights routine. He can't afford to do this with Wright.
Taylor could win this fight with his jab followed by that cracking left hook...but I just don't think that he will.
Again, either winner is great for boxing...but I'd rather see Wright win.
Then again...the thoughts of Taylor vs Sturm make me salivate.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Taylor late KO
I think most of you guys are underestimating his skill,
Sure Winky has a stellar defense, but look how awkward
he looked against Sam Soliman, I think Jermain will make him
look more awkward, and Jermain actually can hit unlike Sam
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
No way Taylor ko's winky.
Hey wacko maybe Abraham and sturm can fight now and the winner can fight winky for a unification bout. Now that makes me salivate. winky and undisputed Jr middleweigth and then an undisputed middleweight. I would love to see that happening.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
I would go as far to say....this will be a very easy victory for W.W. Taylor is a good fighter W.W is a great boxer. YOu need lots of punches from all angles -quick point makers ,not load up punches . J.T would never be content with those kinda punches. He will totally give up by the 7th round in the form of not punching . God forbid he would have fought W.W before B.hop as shaky as he was then there would have been total embarrassment .W.W makes very few mistakes and capitalizes on virtually everyone his opponent makes.J.T will get tired of wasting energy trying that tired ass 1 -2. That he telegraphs on the regular. Here's a question to all the non-believers " how many times have you seen someone really ring W.Ws bell? its not happening 8)
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by killersheep
Taylor late KO
I think most of you guys are underestimating his skill,
Sure Winky has a stellar defense, but look how awkward
he looked against Sam Soliman, I think Jermain will make him
look more awkward, and Jermain actually can hit unlike Sam
Winky didn't look awkward...Soliman did.
Taylor is nothing like Soliman & the fight will be 100% different than Wright Soliman...but the end result will be the same.
Wright by decision.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by a4mrmarine
No way Taylor ko's winky.
Hey wacko maybe Abraham and sturm can fight now and the winner can fight winky for a unification bout. Now that makes me salivate. winky and undisputed Jr middleweigth and then an undisputed middleweight. I would love to see that happening.
:coolclick: Agreed. No way he KO's Wright.
I would love to see Abraham Sturm...even though Taylor, Wright, Sturm, & Abraham are all my favs...I know that in the end they all gotta match...I'll be glad with whoever comes out on top...but if I had my way...it'd be either Sturm or Wright in the winners seat.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by fatsandy
I would go as far to say....this will be a very easy victory for W.W. Taylor is a good fighter W.W is a great boxer. YOu need lots of punches from all angles -quick point makers ,not load up punches . J.T would never be content with those kinda punches. He will totally give up by the 7th round in the form of not punching . God forbid he would have fought W.W before B.hop as shaky as he was then there would have been total embarrassment .W.W makes very few mistakes and capitalizes on virtually everyone his opponent makes.J.T will get tired of wasting energy trying that tired a** 1 -2. That he telegraphs on the regular. Here's a question to all the non-believers " how many times have you seen someone really ring W.Ws bell? its not happening 8)
I agree WW would have capitalised in the first fight but Taylor is young and I saw an improvement in the second fight.
It was 2 and a half years ago that Winky fought a close fight with Shane Mosely at 154lb who even now a lot of people think is too high of a weight class for Shane.
You have to admit Taylor could easily step up to 168lb. There is a big difference between fighting a Super Middleweight and fighting a Welterweight. I think you will be surprised at the composure of JT and speed comparison.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
Mayweather Senior is picking Taylor to win by decision. He says with Taylor 's great jab he is to0 young, big and strong for Winky. ;)
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
I hope Taylor loses. He has no business where he is because he hasn't really impressed with Hopkins. Felix Trinidad would KO Taylor. And, we saw what Winky did to Tito. Made him look like an amateur..
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by drgoodlooking
I hope Taylor loses. He has no business where he is because he hasn't really impressed with Hopkins. Felix Trinidad would KO Taylor. And, we saw what Winky did to Tito. Made him look like an amateur..
I don't think that Tito could have KO'd Taylor. Taylor's jab would have been a huge factor against Tito...it'll be a big factor against Wright...but I don't think that it'll be enough...
Then again...I could be wrong.
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Re: Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: I have nothing but respect for Winky Wright!
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Originally Posted by drgoodlooking
I hope Taylor loses. He has no business where he is because he hasn't really impressed with Hopkins. Felix Trinidad would KO Taylor. And, we saw what Winky did to Tito. Made him look like an amateur..
on the contrary.... Hopkins didn't impress either. You don't really make any sense to me.. I mean Winky beat up a retired version of Tito, Hopkins stopped the prime version! Compare Hopkins v Tito and Hopkins v Taylor II how you manage to figure Tito would KO Taylor from the evidence at hand dumbfounds me?