I think that people are jumping the gun on predicting Pavlik over Taylor...

[cnote111]

IMO Taylor is what i like to call a "Mirror Fighter/Boxer" - He only fights equal to his opposition..Thats why all of his fights appear lack luster. Hopkins, Ouma, Winky, Spinks are all not known for an all out amazing offensive assault, so in result you saw a "Do just enough" version of Taylor...However, with Pavlik being an aggressive offensive fighter, everyone will see the best version of Taylor as of yet...

My words have been marked...I will be back with egg on my face, or a finger in yours...

Taylor with an all out war - UD or late stoppage - and a battered Kelly Pavlik (who i do like)

[CountryBoy]

I disagree ICE on two accounts.

1) Taylor was hit flush by a hard hitter in Hopkins. Bernard is a legitimate hitter at middleweight.
2) Did Winky not pressure Taylor? I sure saw him pressure Taylor, and still Taylor did decently against a very talented Winky Wright.

Besides those two things I believe that Pavlik looked good against perhaps the most overrated boxer in the sport. Miranda was a poor man's Jeff Lacy and for some reason people thought he was a god because he had good power. What people didn't seem to care about was his lack of coordination, how slow he was, his poor defensive skills, and the fact that he was largely untested especially against another slugger.

I am not sure if Taylor wins, but he is the faster fighter, the more skilled fighter of the two, and he hits pretty hard himself.

Hopkins punch will feel like a bee sting to Pavliks power, Pavlik will not this chump out because he is lazy and overrated

[Bomp]

Truth is, both fighters have people who under or overestimate them. There are guys who see Taylor as he was before he fought for the title, the guy who dominated all before him with a combination of good jab, speed, power and skill; while there are others who can't see past his last few awful performances. Some guys see Pavlik as an untested contender who beat another untested contender, while others see him as an unstoppable beast.

Personally, I think both guys have limitations. In Taylor's last few fights, he seems to just be lost on what he's supposed to do in the ring, even his trainer is pissed off with him; and even the pre-champion version of him never dominated anyone of world class.
Pavlik has great power and a great chin (Miranda was limited, but one thing that crazy mofo could do was punch, and he did land flush on Pavlik without wobbling him.); though Kelly's skills when it comes speed and footwork is very limited.

IMO Pavlik is there to be outboxed by some of the craftier older guys like B-hop Winky and JC, the question is wether Taylor can do it. I'm with Wacko, I think he's bought into his own hype and hasn't been at the top of his game for a long time. Even if he is at the top of his game, I still don't think he has enough skill and/or stamina to keep Pavlik off him all night.
I see Taylor looking quite good in the early rounds before Pavlik begins to get to him. I'm leaning towards a close decision for Pavlik.

[Wacko3205]

The thing about Pavlik is that he has always been in the top 5 contenders...no one other than Ring & HBO recognized it.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I dont think JT would have any problem with super middle at all if it came to a rematch.. Actually they're both large middles.
However, i dont think a rematch will be necessary as if taylor does not dominate he will be KO'd. Either way i doubt there will be any controversy as to the winner.

[Wacko3205]

I dont think JT would have any problem with super middle at all if it came to a rematch.. Actually they're both large middles.

I'm not so sure that I buy into Taylor at 160lbs anymore...much less 168lbs.

However, i dont think a rematch will be necessary as if taylor does not dominate he will be KO'd.

So your'e leaning towards a Pavlik knockout?

Either way i doubt there will be any controversy as to the winner.

Here's where I disagree. I think Taylor's had waaaaaaay to many gimmee's of late & I honestly believe that if he doesn't come out guns blazing against Pavlik & then pick up the pace down the stretch...well...he'll still get the decicion.

I have always thought that Taylor's been combed like a pedigree pooch by HBO & I seriously doubt that they'll drop that charge now...even though they've warmed to Pavlik in the last 2 years.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Oh im agreeing there. I like taylor but i totally agree that he has had some special treatment as of late. Although i dont care if he got a 20 count i didn wanna see spinks champ

However, u misunderstand my point. I was stating that if Taylor does not take an early grasp of this fight, dominate Pavlik, keep him n check n bluntly beat on him he will be abused by Kelly and stopped. Jermaine has to be more active than previous fights, apply a steady stream of punishment and outbox Pavlik.

Should he show the complacency that he had in recent fights, such as not throwing against Spinks, not Kassim OumA OR generally not following his trainers strategy, Pavlik will knock him out.