Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik?

Question

Pavlik has earned the right to fight Taylor by destroying Miranda. Pavlik by winning is the mandatory WBC challenger. Provided the WBC keeps their word, who wins this fight?

Food for thought: It seems to me that Taylor is getting into the bad habit of boxing "down" to his competition. The man has so much talent but he seems to be satisfied with just getting by.

The Man - You know what; you've confirmed what I've been thinking. I think Pavlik take him.

Answer 1

I have considered Pavlik a serious threat to the middleweight title since his destruction of Bronco McKart. I have not been impressed with Taylor, I though both Wink and Hopkins beat him, and Taylor got a gift all three times. Let the blogbaba be the first to say that Kelly Pavlik will beat Jermain Taylor if they fight. I consider Taylor very over rated and I will go a step further by stating Pavlik will do it boxing, not with power shots. People didn't see the boxing skill of Pavlik, it was a very entertaining slug fest with Miranda, but Pavlik can box with the best of them as well. I think Taylor's days are numbered, and even guys like Calzaghe or Kessler will give Jermain a lot of trouble. Time will tell.

Thumbs up to mrraraavis, I agree.

Answer 2

Pavlik. Every fight he has had they said would be a good test for him Bronco McKart, Jose Luis Zertuche, Edison Miranda, and then after he has dominated and knocked out each opponent people all the sudden say...well those weren't championship caliber opponents. Well at some point you have to give Kelly Pavlik the respect he deserves. Miranda was a quality opponent and was beat down. Taylor has good boxing skills but I think Pavlik has more power. Miranda took the best punches from a natural heavier fighter used to fighting at 170-175 in Allan Green but could not withstand Pavlik. Yes, he looked past him a bit and Pavlik was a lot more aggressive than Miranda might have expected but these are proffesionals and can make adjustments between rounds. Miranda went 12 rounds with Abraham and lost a controversial decision I think that makes him championship material. My only fear is that Taylor will do Pavlik an injustice and move up in weight to challenge Calzaghe before giving Pavlik his shot.

Answer 3

Taylor an Pavlik fought each other as amateurs for the US boxing team about 9 years ago. Taylor won in a decision. But that was a long time ago, and both fighters are different now. Pavlik was 16 years old and Taylor 20 years old, I think. This may also contribute to Taylor ducking Pavlik. Either way, Taylor's defensive fighting style will get him in trouble against Pavlik. It works well against smaller fighters with little punching power (i.e. Winky, Spinks). Defense and jabs will only take you so far when you are in the ring with an accurate power puncher with a good chin. Taylor will be overmatched and KO'd in the middle rounds.

Answer 4

It's funny because up until a few days ago alot of people were saying Miranda was the next great thing and he loses and now hes just a chump! Pavlik virtually destroyed a pretty tough, durable guy in Miranda and he deserves respect for it! Taylor is in a class all to himself in terms of talent...pavlik will come to fight and he will get to Taylor eventually...the question is what Taylor will show up? If Taylor is on his game, it might be an easy fight for him..but Taylor has never faced someone like Pavlik who is not only skilled but is out to take your head off...well have to wait

Answer 5

Jermaine Taylor. Pavlick put on a great show his past two fights, but these were fighters who really don't use the ring, don't set up punches with the jab, and were considerably shorter than Pavlick. JT is about the same height and has a longer reach the Pavlick. He constantly moves around, has great power, an excellent jab, and has experience with champions. Miranda just went shot for shot, and didn't really move, and that straight right is deadly. JT won't be an easy target to hit for Pavlik, he's gonna give him some major problems while landing his own punches. I'm pickin' JT, and probably gets an overdue knock out due to the relentless style of Pavlik.

Answer 6

first of all Pavlik put on a great show the other night as did Miranda, and it was great for boxing. That being said don't confuse excitement with greatness. Remember all the Ward fights, the Mayorga fights, Jose Luis Castillo? Put those guys in the ring with champions and they all got destroyed. They are exciting and we love to see these guys and hype them, some of them even have real punching power and the knockout punch, but none of these fighters are even close to being in the same class as someone like Jermain Taylor. JT is a world class athelete and will not get hit by anything Pavlik throws at him. And I hate to tell you this but if they go toe to toe Jermain Taylor will wreck him which would be great for boxing.

Answer 7

Jermain Taylor. Pavlik did a good job but he doesnt have the skill that Taylor has, nor has he fought anyone with Taylor's experience. To be honest with you, Miranda only lost because he underestimated Pavlik.

Answer 8

Pavlik

Answer 9

Taylor, he will pace the fight use his jab, and come in when he needs to. Miranda was a chump, Pavlik is good but he hasn't fought anyone of a championship caliber yet.

Answer 10

Pavlik!