Taylor even having 2 losses in his last 2 fights and being knocked out would be absolutely head and shoulders above anyone that Carl has faced so far and there is the joke, how has he earned this shot?

He hasnt earned it at all, he keeps talking about Calzaghe much like Haye keeps talking about Wladamir Klitschko and this is how both have gained notoriety, Froch moreso as Haye has actually fought and beat world class fighters.