Helping Ozell Nelson Fix Jermain Taylor

By Dave Sholler

A mechanic perplexed by the intricacies of a luxury automobile once said “I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”

While few trainers in the sport of boxing diagnose the complexities of a Lamborghini or Rolls Royce for a living, many are attempting to understand the current makeup of a former middleweight champion’s engine. Pouring through video as if they were reading a Mercedes driver’s manual, trainers across the sport are trying to dissect the problems that have led to ex-champion Jermain Taylor’s demise.

Some have questioned the Arkansas native’s conditioning and desire to train. Others have hypothesized that JT’s physical wiring is not as advanced as once thought. Regardless of the findings though, most end up bewildered by the puzzle that is “Bad Intentions.” After all, how can a fighter with such an elite jab and complementary right hand fail to utilize them in a bout? Moreover, how can an athlete with above-average speed and footwork allow himself to get trapped in corners and against the ropes?

Emanuel Steward, arguably the world’s finest boxing professor, had little success in solving Taylor’s Razorback Riddle. Over the course of four fights together, Taylor almost seemed to do the opposite of what Steward instructed. If Steward said “stick and move,” Taylor inconceivably stood flat-footed. Similarly, if the Kronk gym legend advised Jermain to double up on the jab, Taylor instead hid the lethal set-up punch in his pocket. It was as if Taylor heard Steward’s advice, only for his body to neglect Manny’s counsel. And if a training marvel like Steward failed to get through to the former titleholder, what type of picture does that paint for any other who chooses to work with Taylor?

Bring in Ozell Nelson. A surrogate father to a young Taylor, perhaps no one understands Jermain better than Nelson. With over a decades worth of chemistry with the former belt holder, Nelson hopes his strong bond with Taylor will produce results this Saturday as the 29-year-old Taylor battles power-punching Kelly Pavlik in a rematch of their epic 2007 clash. Playing the lead trainer role this weekend, Nelson is faced with the challenge of keeping Jermain focused and helping him get back on track.

For that reason, Nelson may be the right person to have in the corner this weekend. Sure, he lacks the training pedigree of Steward and Taylor’s previous trainer, Pat Burns. But it is clear that Nelson has one thing no other major trainer has ever had: Taylor’s ear. With that said, let’s review a few tidbits of information that if communicated, could help Taylor rediscover his groove. As gatekeeper, Nelson just might have the opportunity to lead Taylor back down the road to success if he instills these messages.

Message Number One: The Jab is Your Friend

Dating back to his December 2006 fight against Kassim Ouma, perhaps Taylor’s worst trait has been his failure to ace the mental aspect of the sport. As Steward said recently, Jermain listens in the corner and then disregards the guidance and fights instinctively. He just can’t seem to shake the primal urge to rely on his boxing sixth sense.

Jermain’s first instinct should be to throw the jab though. Lately, it has not been. Still, Taylor’s jab is the best in the sport when he uses it. Whether it’s using it to set up a straight right hand or as its own damaging blow, Taylor fails to realize that he can dictate an entire bout with his jab. Even though he landed a solid 37 percent of his jabs in Taylor-Pavlik one, Jermain was too inconsistent with his trademark punch in the last outing. Simply put, it should be his first, second and last resort. Not only will he win on the scorecards, but he could also give himself more round twos than round sevens (see last fight).

Message Number Two: History Can and Will Repeat Itself (if you let it)

There is a case to be made that Taylor’s former boss, Pat Burns, would be having the same struggles with Jermain had he been kept around by Team Taylor. However, Jermain was arguably at his best under Burns’ “My Way, Not Yours” philosophy. Therefore, Nelson should take a page out of Burns’ book and control the corner and game plan from round one. For all intents and purposes, Nelson should be the GPS system that navigates Taylor’s course. The chart should already be mapped for Taylor. Taylor’s role should only be to execute.

This navigation should be easy if Jermain stays away from the ropes and out of the corners of the ring. Against a bomber like Pavlik, Taylor needs to avoid baiting his opponent into the corner because Pavlik will make him pay. While it worked in bouts with former opponents Ouma and Cory Spinks, Taylor’s affinity of setting up big right hands by working out of the corners will backfire against Pavlik. Likewise, Nelson must be quick to enforce the “stay off the ropes” rule. Jermain Taylor cannot get away with lying on the ropes like the great Muhammad Ali once did. If Taylor rests on the ropes, Pavlik will make sure he’s laid out.

Message Number Three: Your Pace, Your Fight

Although Nelson should warn of the Sept. 29 downfall, this should by no means change Jermain’s entire approach. In spite of everything that occurred that night in Atlantic City, Taylor was ahead on the judges’ scorecards. We cannot forget that he nearly stopped Pavlik either. Looking back, Jermain’s aggression was reinstated against Pavlik and although he eventually gassed out, the early dominance proved that a well-conditioned Taylor could have stopped the fight.

Keeping this in mind, Taylor should remain aggressive, but calculated on Saturday. By controlling the ring and becoming jab happy, Taylor can create a flow and more importantly, the opportunity for a sustained attack. If Taylor can set the pace, he’s already proved he can stagger Pavlik. Now he just needs another chance to finish.

Undoubtedly, February 16 should play a great role in determining the future of Jermain Taylor. By securing an immediate rematch at 166 pounds, Taylor got the fight he wanted. With Steward in the rear view mirror and Nelson back at the reins, he’s got the training camp he yearned for, too.

Jermain Taylor has gotten everything he’s asked for heading into Saturday night. Now that Jermain has his ideal settings, let’s just hope someone’s fixed his breaks instead of amplifying his horn.

Dave Sholler serves as a boxing analyst for sports radio stations across the country.