By Rick Reeno
Strong sources have advised BoxingScene.com that comebacking former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (28-4, 17KOs), and promoter Lou DiBella, are in deep discussions to reunite for Taylor's scheduled return on December 30th.
Taylor has been inactive since the crushing knockout loss at the hands of Arthur Abraham in October of 2009. Two months after that fight, DiBella and Taylor parted ways after working together since the boxer's pro debut in January of 2001. DiBella made attempts to get Taylor to retire, after the boxer had gone 1-4 in a five fight run, and got knocked out in brutal fashion in three of those defeats.
In four of those five fights, Taylor was competing above the middleweight limit. Taylor made his move to 168 after struggling with stamina due to issues with cutting weight. For his comeback, the former champion is dropping back down to 160-pounds.
DiBella declined to make any comments on the strong rumors that he's close to resuming his role as Taylor's promoter. The boxer's comeback will be televised by Showtime.
With two months to go, Taylor is reportedly near the middleweight limit, according to a close associate of the boxer.
"Taylor is in excellent shape. He hasn't looked this good in years. He's going to be a middleweight and he's already near middleweight. There is a lot of bullsh*t out there regarding Taylor's return. Don't listen to it. The date and network are the only concrete items with Taylor's return."
