Taylor says meaner self will be waiting for a Pavlik fight
Associated Press

Updated: June 25, 2007, 12:35 AM ET
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LITTLE ROCK -- For Jermain Taylor, the niceties end now.

Taylor, the middleweight champion of the world since 2005, said after hearing criticism from fans in his home state of Arkansas and elsewhere, he will abandon some of his politeness for critics and those facing him in the ring.

"It's over. Those days are over," Taylor told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in an interview published Sunday. "I can't be nice to them anymore, and don't think I'm going to forget a single person that said something. I'm human."

Taylor, of Little Rock, outpointed Kassim Ouma in December, and his split decision against Cory Spinks was even less decisive, causing some fans to dismiss the win. After hearing the criticism, Taylor (27-0-1) said he wants to unleash this new, harsh side on Kelly Pavlik, who battered Edison Miranda during the undercard fight at Taylor's last match.

"I feel bad for him. I mean, I feel bad, because he does not know who he's getting in the ring with," Taylor said. "If he comes at me, I'm going to take it to him, I'm going to give it all to him."

Taylor said he wants Pavlik (31-0) at his next fight, which HBO tentatively has scheduled for Sept. 29.

"That's the fight the people want," Taylor said. "So if that's what they want, you know I'm going to give it to them. I'm never going to back down from anyone. This guy is nothing, and I'm going to expose him. And then what? After I beat him, then what? Because I'm going to beat him, and I'm going to beat him bad. Especially if he comes to fight.

"In the amateurs, I punished him, no problem whatsoever. He has gotten a little better, a little older, a little more mature, but that don't mean nothing. If he comes to fight, and comes to fight hard, his heart isn't big enough."

Taylor also dismissed criticism of his postfight interview on HBO, when he told an interviewer he'd only fight Pavlik "if the money's right." Taylor said that's just part of the business.

"That part right there, I didn't give a damn about," Taylor said. "What, did you expect me to fight him for free? This is how I feed my family. Do you go to work for free? No, you do not. Yes, I will fight this boy, but make sure they get the money right. That's what should have been said."