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Is Jermain Taylor destined to lose this Saturday? I know some people are sure Pavlik will knock him out again, while others are rooting for the fallen champion, but what is the truth? Let me examine some issues that have been rattling around in my head regarding this fight and you guys can tell me what you think of them:
1.) Taylor's ability to KO Pavlik.
Now, sure, we know Kelly Pavlik has that one punch threat that, at any moment, he might stun or hurt Jermain Taylor and end the night. We've seen his power highlighted before. So, maybe Jermain Taylor was ahead on the scorecards when he got knocked out - part of the intrigue in this match-up is the 2nd round of Taylor-Pavlik I in which Jermain Taylor almost knocked Pavlik out. I noticed the first time, and they even brought it up in the pre-fight documentary, though, that the real damage was done when Pavlik put his chin out. Jermain landed a solid shot, hurt Pavlik a bit, to which a ****y, confident Kelly dropped his hands and stuck his chin out to say, "Come on. Land on my chin- I can take it." Jermain didn't pause for a second and slapped him right on the button with another good hit; that was when the chicken dance began and Pavlik almost got put out.
That will not happen again. It proved that Taylor has a punch sufficient enough to hurt Kelly Pavlik if he lands square on the chin. He was unable to finish the fight, though, and over the next rounds Taylor seemed incapable of replicating the punch that have been given to him for free the first time. So, does Jermain Taylor even stand a chance in hell of hurting Pavlik in their rematch?
2.) The issue of weight.
This fight is going to be at a catch-weight 166 pounds. That's, even before they rehydrate the night of the fight, six pounds of, most likely, pure muscle they can add. Both men have spoken of needing to drain themselves to make middleweight - is the weight going to be an issue? Will Taylor be sharper and stronger not needing to shed six pounds to make weight? Will either man have more pop? A measley six pounds can mean a world of difference when we're talking about a rematch in which both men have shown the ability, if given the right circumstances, to be able to hurt the other. Can Taylor even hope to win against a man who knocked him out the first time, yet who is allowed to come into the ring larger than he did the first time? Getting hit with a one pound weight could, possibly, bruise or hurt you in some way. Getting hit with a seven pound weight- a mere six pounds heavier- would do a substantial amount of increased damage.
3.) The mental game.
In the first fight Taylor was the undefeated champion with something to prove- under harsh criticism but still the man. Pavlik was the hard-nosed challanger that believed in himself and had to prove to the world he was the champion he felt he was.
Fast forward to Taylor-Pavlik II. Jermain is a fallen hero; someone who was criticized and then got knocked out. Does he doubt himself? Does he really believe he can win? We can be sure he's watched footage from that 2nd round over and over saying, "Damn. I was so close. I had him." Does he believe in his power now? He's the challanger. Jermain Taylor is the one who is not undefeated. He has to get in that ring and stare at the man that knocked him out just a few months earlier.
Does Taylor have a bull waiting to erupt; anger and passion that will tip the tables in his favor? Or is Kelly Pavlik even more motivated now? Does he feel like the champion, like he has vindicated himself and reached the pinnacle of his sport and now he has to vanquish the one man that can erase the achievement before he's enjoyed it? Kelly Pavlik is going to face a man he knocked out already, now as middleweight champion of the world, and be asked to do nothing more than repeat what he's already shown.
Will Jermain be punch shy? Is he going to find fear or aggression on Saturday? Will it be uncertainty of passion that fills him? Will he be driven or shaken?
Jermain's ability to hurt Pavlik, the issue of weight, and the mental aspect of this fight make it very unique.
What do you guys think about the above?
1.) Taylor's ability to KO Pavlik.
Now, sure, we know Kelly Pavlik has that one punch threat that, at any moment, he might stun or hurt Jermain Taylor and end the night. We've seen his power highlighted before. So, maybe Jermain Taylor was ahead on the scorecards when he got knocked out - part of the intrigue in this match-up is the 2nd round of Taylor-Pavlik I in which Jermain Taylor almost knocked Pavlik out. I noticed the first time, and they even brought it up in the pre-fight documentary, though, that the real damage was done when Pavlik put his chin out. Jermain landed a solid shot, hurt Pavlik a bit, to which a ****y, confident Kelly dropped his hands and stuck his chin out to say, "Come on. Land on my chin- I can take it." Jermain didn't pause for a second and slapped him right on the button with another good hit; that was when the chicken dance began and Pavlik almost got put out.
That will not happen again. It proved that Taylor has a punch sufficient enough to hurt Kelly Pavlik if he lands square on the chin. He was unable to finish the fight, though, and over the next rounds Taylor seemed incapable of replicating the punch that have been given to him for free the first time. So, does Jermain Taylor even stand a chance in hell of hurting Pavlik in their rematch?
2.) The issue of weight.
This fight is going to be at a catch-weight 166 pounds. That's, even before they rehydrate the night of the fight, six pounds of, most likely, pure muscle they can add. Both men have spoken of needing to drain themselves to make middleweight - is the weight going to be an issue? Will Taylor be sharper and stronger not needing to shed six pounds to make weight? Will either man have more pop? A measley six pounds can mean a world of difference when we're talking about a rematch in which both men have shown the ability, if given the right circumstances, to be able to hurt the other. Can Taylor even hope to win against a man who knocked him out the first time, yet who is allowed to come into the ring larger than he did the first time? Getting hit with a one pound weight could, possibly, bruise or hurt you in some way. Getting hit with a seven pound weight- a mere six pounds heavier- would do a substantial amount of increased damage.
3.) The mental game.
In the first fight Taylor was the undefeated champion with something to prove- under harsh criticism but still the man. Pavlik was the hard-nosed challanger that believed in himself and had to prove to the world he was the champion he felt he was.
Fast forward to Taylor-Pavlik II. Jermain is a fallen hero; someone who was criticized and then got knocked out. Does he doubt himself? Does he really believe he can win? We can be sure he's watched footage from that 2nd round over and over saying, "Damn. I was so close. I had him." Does he believe in his power now? He's the challanger. Jermain Taylor is the one who is not undefeated. He has to get in that ring and stare at the man that knocked him out just a few months earlier.
Does Taylor have a bull waiting to erupt; anger and passion that will tip the tables in his favor? Or is Kelly Pavlik even more motivated now? Does he feel like the champion, like he has vindicated himself and reached the pinnacle of his sport and now he has to vanquish the one man that can erase the achievement before he's enjoyed it? Kelly Pavlik is going to face a man he knocked out already, now as middleweight champion of the world, and be asked to do nothing more than repeat what he's already shown.
Will Jermain be punch shy? Is he going to find fear or aggression on Saturday? Will it be uncertainty of passion that fills him? Will he be driven or shaken?
Jermain's ability to hurt Pavlik, the issue of weight, and the mental aspect of this fight make it very unique.
What do you guys think about the above?
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