Third time lucky? Taylor

[El Kabong]

I've always thought that Jermain Taylor just has bad stamina. He has a lot of nervous energy every fight, and so down the stretch he gets very tired from not being relaxed in the ring.

Antonio Tarver is the same way. Both guys are usually crap in the 11th and 12th rounds, because they are tense in the ring and not relaxed.

I thought at least in the Hopkins fights he gunned for the KO whenever he connected with the right cross. He would land a good sharp right cross and then everything after it would be slow and loopy like he was going to lay waste to a heavybag. I know from my own experience, those big power shots where you put everything into it will sap your energy in a heartbeat

I just figured as good as his jab and footwork were especially in the Marquez and Bunema fights that he'd continue along that line for the rest of his career but for whatever reason his slowed down considerably. In the Marquez and Bunema fights he controlled pace and distance and even circled out brilliantly avoiding counter punches.

As time wore on JT no longer cotnrolled pace or distance, as an outside fighter he allowed the other fighter to work in and he kept his hands too low and took too much damage on the inside....just a bad combination for him.

I knew at the time he could handle Hopkins, but even then his stamina (or lack there of) started showing.

[Hulk]

I've always thought that Jermain Taylor just has bad stamina. He has a lot of nervous energy every fight, and so down the stretch he gets very tired from not being relaxed in the ring.

Antonio Tarver is the same way. Both guys are usually crap in the 11th and 12th rounds, because they are tense in the ring and not relaxed.

I thought at least in the Hopkins fights he gunned for the KO whenever he connected with the right cross. He would land a good sharp right cross and then everything after it would be slow and loopy like he was going to lay waste to a heavybag. I know from my own experience, those big power shots where you put everything into it will sap your energy in a heartbeat

I just figured as good as his jab and footwork were especially in the Marquez and Bunema fights that he'd continue along that line for the rest of his career but for whatever reason his slowed down considerably. In the Marquez and Bunema fights he controlled pace and distance and even circled out brilliantly avoiding counter punches.

As time wore on JT no longer cotnrolled pace or distance, as an outside fighter he allowed the other fighter to work in and he kept his hands too low and took too much damage on the inside....just a bad combination for him.

I knew at the time he could handle Hopkins, but even then his stamina (or lack there of) started showing.

Well its easy to look good against men much smaller than you, and in Raul Marquez's case, men past their prime AND smaller.

I felt Taylor lost both Hopkins fights.

HBO tried ramming Jermain Taylor down our throats, and screwed B-Hop for Taylor, and for what ?

We have all witnessed what Taylor has done since then, and what Bernard has accomplished since then.

[greynotsoold]

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

[Hulk]

No, because I don't think Hopkins could fight much busier, while still making 160 lbs. I think making the weight took more and more out of Bernard as he got older.

Also he didn't want to rush in and get caught with anything foolish.

Bernard has proven who the better man is, even beating Kelly Pavlik with ease, Taylor's conqueror.

[BIG H]

I had Taylor winning both B-Hop fights 15-113, but Hopkins could've won both without doubt. The rounds Hopkins won, were mostly won clearly, whereas Taylor's rounds were close. Nard didn't start fighting until round 9 of the first fight.

[gest12645]

I also thought Taylor beat Pavlik the second time around.

[El Kabong]

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

Hopkins would probably wanted to go back and win 2 or 3 rounds of the first 4 rounds. He would also probably benefit from making the fight a bit more dirty.

[El Kabong]

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

Hopkins would probably wanted to go back and win 2 or 3 rounds of the first 4 rounds. He would also probably benefit from making the fight a bit more dirty.

[Spicoli]

Do you think that, in looking back, knowing what he does about Taylor now, Hopkins wishes he had fought differently? Fought more?

I dont think I've had as much a Cybil attitude towards a fighter as I have had with Hopkins. I really really like(d) the guy....and as much as he made me throw heavy objects and cuss in foreign languages with the way he would coast...or take things for granted...

Totally convinced Taylor was ripe for brutal tko in the 1st fight rounds 10,11,12. It was there, cant be convinced otherwise. Saw it with Holmes and Joppy among others also. Difference is he was clearly winning. I have always thought Hopkins genuinely liked to beat a guy up, prolong it and bask in it as opposed to brutally ending guys ala Lipsey, Mercado or Jackson. Hindsight being 20-20 he's fortyGodknowswhat years old and still making history and in huge fights...what the hell do I know

[greynotsoold]

My thinking is that, in the first fight, all of a sudden, in the 9th round, he starts landing the right hand at will. He didn't see that opening in the 7th round, or the 8th? That would have been the difference. In the 2nd fight, he had to know that Taylor (1) couldn't hurt him (2) wasn't as smart as he and (3) was a sucker for that sneak right hand.

[Mar]

As long as taylor under uses that jab that got him where he was in the first place. He'll get beat by any of the top guys. Pavlik would use his ass again.