Taylor ready for Pavlik!
Doesn’t Know Why But Glad It’s a “Hype Fight”

September 25, 2007

By David L. Hudson Jr.

Undefeated WBC/WBO middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor eagerly awaits Saturday's showdown with #1 contender Kelly Pavlik in what he terms “a hype fight.” What baffles Taylor is why so much attention has been placed on his undefeated opponent – a fighter the champion views as “not even on my level.”

Taylor understands why there was hype for this two battles with longtime middleweight kingpin Bernard Hopkins and his showdown with the talented and tough Ronald “Winky” Wright. He doesn’t comprehend why such attention has been foisted on Pavlik – though he quickly reiterates he’s glad for the extra attention circling the HBO-televised event. “I like these types of fights; that’s what I live for.”

“I’ve been watching tapes of him and I don’t see him doing nothing,” Taylor says. “He is a strong fighter but he doesn’t excite me. To me he’s a normal fighter. … I don’t see what all the hype is about.”

The champion acknowledges that Pavlik – whom he defeated in the amateur ranks years ago in a fight he can’t recall – is “strong” and “game” but doesn’t believe he possesses the skills, speed and tools to deal with his arsenal. He relishes the opportunity to face a fighter “who comes to fight”, obviously contrasting Pavlik with his last challenger, the evasive Cory Spinks.

“He [Pavlik] comes straight forward and is not slick at all,” the champion says. “He’s not fast but he’s a game guy and comes to fight.” Taylor recognizes that he’s received criticism for his less-than-stellar performances in his defenses against former junior middleweight champions Kassim Ouma and Spinks. “After I whup him [Pavlik], maybe I’ll get a little credit,” he says.

Taylor continues his tutelage under Hall-of-Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, who replaced his longtime previous trainer Pat Burns after the second Hopkins fight. When asked why he switched trainers, Taylor said he listened to the advice of his longtime mentor Ozell Nelson. “That was Ozell Nelson’s decision,” Taylor says. “He’s been with me all my life. … When Ozell says it’s done, it’s done. That’s the man I look to for guidance.” Taylor maintains respect for Burns but adds he continues to learn much from Steward. “I think Manny is a great trainer,” he says.

When asked about the future, Taylor says he would like to face undefeated super middleweight Joe Calzaghe, assuming he defeats Mikkel Kessler in their upcoming showdown. “Joe is on my radar,” he says. “Tell him I’d love to fight him.”

But make no mistake, Taylor remains focused on Pavlik and September 29th. He insists this has been a great camp and he’s primed to show the world why he’s one of the best fighters in the world. His promoter Lou DiBella echoes that this is the “most focused and together I’ve seen Jermain in any recent camp.”

Tune in September 29th on HBO to see whether the “hype fight” lives up to its advance billing.

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David L. Hudson Jr, a feature writer for Fightnews, is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including Boxing’s Most Wanted: The Top Ten Book of Champs, Chumps and Punch-Drunk Palookas (2004) with Mike Fitzgerald. He resides in the Middle Tennessee area. Questions or comments? Click here.