By Terence Dooley
Former middle Champion Jermain Taylor capped a remarkable comeback by taking the IBF 160lb title from Australia's Sam Soliman, 40, via a lopsided decision in Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Mississippi last night—scores of 116-111, 115-109, and 116-109 from Fred Steinwinder III, Alfredo Polanco and David Taranto respectively. Taylor, 33-4-1 (20), floored Soliman, 44-12 (18), five times en route to the win, although some of the knockdowns appeared to be down to a leg injury sustained by Soliman, who had balance issues throughout.
The 36-year-old now holds a world title for the first time since losing to Kelly Pavlik in 2009 (L TKO 7) and has options on the table due to his connection with Al Haymon. Taylor, though, only has a four-month window of opportunity to nail down a voluntary as he is on a six-month mandatory defence deadline—Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam earned a shot at the belt when beating Curtis Stevens by decision on October 1st.
