Taylor-Pavlik: where to go from here

[Big_Deuce]

in the way way future.
Like someone else said, he is showing signs, but is VERY far from facing world champions.
I cannot stress VERY enough.
He has what it takes to be great. I just hope he isnt rushed. he has been a pro for 2 years (about), he's got some serious work to do.

He's been sparring world champions since day one tho, he turned pro straight off his olympic training, He's the class pet at the Kronk gym. Steward is professing he will be champ before the end of 2008 and to be honest if he's promoted and managed well i'm inclined to believe him.

Do you know how many young up and comers spar world champs? LOTS, do you know how many Olympic trained fighters go pro right after? LOTS. Do you know how many trainers say Great things about their fighters futures? LOTS.
im not sure why you said what you did lol
However as far as Steward (whom i respect a great deal) predicting world titles for his pupil, i never said that he couldnt get a belt, im just saying he needs alot of work before that happens.

I'm well aware of all of these factors, Lee participated in the 2004 olympics, would u not agree that he has accomplished a lot in the past three years? Would you not agree that he is in fact one of thee hottest prospects in boxing? The man is an exceptional talent who iv been lucky enough to share a gym with and it is my belief that Steward is not just hyping himup, he's genuinely grooming Lee for greatness and the steep learning curve illustrates that they are in a hurry.

TBH its probably crazy but id favour JT if he rematches.

Why ??

Assuming the match up occurs at SM, Jermaine will be fighting in a division which will suit him more than Pavlik, (kelly is a big guy but he's naturally lean, he'll actually have to gain body mass.)
Taylor boxed well against Pavlik, not dominating, but giving a good account of he will gain by travelling to SM i feel he will be more able to back up Pavlik.
Kelly has been quoted saying "he hits like a mule and he definitely caught me in round 2." This bodes well for Taylor.
In addition the psychological factor must be considered. Jermaines hunger seemed to be rekindled and i assume a loss will drive him even more. Should he seek a rematch he will,be a fighter hungry for revenge.

thats all well and good, however, just like JT can train harder to learn from his mistakes. So can pavlik.
Just like JT can be determined to regain his title, Pavlik can be just as determined to keep it as a first defense. none of those variables prove to be a deciding factor on the outcome of a rematch. Kelly says jt hits like a mule (which is true) but ask JT how pavlik hits. So does that bode well for pavlik?
Now, i wont make a prediction on the rematch until i see how both fighters are carrying themselves after this fight. However nothing stands out that shows me that the next fight should be any different than the first. meaning,
JT being more aggressive than usual
Pavlik setting the pace of the fight
Pavlik absorbing punishment to hand out his own..
JT falling for that right hand

Lots of what CAN happens, but it all remains to be seen

The fact is that in the fight both men were hurt and both men had oppotunities to score Knockouts. Pavlik was the better fighter on the night and managed to seize his chance with both hands.
Howevr, Taylor had he been more expieienced in the situation and been calmer and more calculating could well have finished Kelly in the second round.
It was an incredibly close fight, i can't understand why you see no opportunity for a swing in advantage toward Taylor should they engage each other again.

I dont see ANY opportunity for a swing in advantage for taylor because as of right now whatever it is you say taylor can do to better himself, pavlik has the same opportunity. But as of right now, I cannot give an edge to taylor for the following:
1)defense-IMO (no, not the refs, obviously) pavlik had a better answer for JT's offense. yes, pavlik got knocked down. But for the remainder of the fight i could see pavlik dealing with JT's offense better than vice versa
2)offense- IMO pavlik's jab had more heat on it than JT's, he followed the jab with other punches better than JT's, he pushed JT back the entire fight. JT's back was against the ropes alot more than pavliks. Pavlik also can finish a fight, I.e Taylor curled up in a ball against the ropes.
3)experience- No advantage to either fighter right now. Since JT has fought the likes of BH,WW, and it didnt prove to help him in this fight at all.
4)strength-IMO pavlik has more authority on his punches, he is trying to do something with ever punch.
5)conditioning-Even with the incredible knockdown, @ 1 minute left of the round pavlik ends up being the aggressor again!, JT was spent.
I will admit the possibility of the second fight having a different outcome when i see proof of it, not by what i HOPE to see (which in this case happens to be the same result ).

But as of right now, from what ive seen. Pavlik had jt's number for a majority of that fight. thats why i was sincerely surprised at the judges score cards. Even JT believed (through steward) that he was losing that fight. SO all in all, out of that fight, i did not see anything that tells me that fight could be alot different.
saying that JT should be more likely to succeed this time because he will be motivated not to lose is not acceptable to me. because i could argue that point with saying that pavlik will be even more motivated not to lose at his first title defense.