Stop Hating On Jermain Taylor

[squealpiggy]

I never thought Taylor was ever convinced he was the actual Middleweight champion. He never conducted himself like he was the champ, he never fought like it. I think he felt he got a gift against Hopkins in the first fight, got a gift against him again and struggled with everyone thereafter. He never seemed to have confidence in his own ability, and that's why I didn't think he was a good champion.

I don't hate him though.

[Dynamite Kid]

I never thought Taylor was ever convinced he was the actual Middleweight champion. He never conducted himself like he was the champ, he never fought like it. I think he felt he got a gift against Hopkins in the first fight, got a gift against him again and struggled with everyone thereafter. He never seemed to have confidence in his own ability, and that's why I didn't think he was a good champion.

I don't hate him though.

Taylor won both fights the 2nd more conclusively than the 1st but he won them both IMO Hopkins gave away half of the 1st fight & although he came back strong towards the end Taylor had outworked him in most of the rounds & deserved to get the nod IMO

although i wouldnt say he took the Championship but he did win it

[squealpiggy]

Taylor won both fights the 2nd more conclusively than the 1st but he won them both IMO Hopkins gave away half of the 1st fight & although he came back strong towards the end Taylor had outworked him in most of the rounds & deserved to get the nod IMO

although i wouldnt say he took the Championship but he did win it

I scored both for Taylor also, but he never seemed convinced he'd won, never had that confidence that winning a title is supposed to give you. Of course he had an extraordinary character in the opposite corner, there's only one Bernard Hopkins, but even after the rematch Taylor conducted himself like the fringe contender I think he always believed himself to be.

[Mozza]

A lot mate..I take a punch everyday in training and it makes you appreciate what this guys do than anything else, For you to critise someone who is brave enough to get in the ring in just plain ****** IMHO.

That is a bit like saying you can't criticise a film if you've never made a movie or been an actor. I don't get that.

[squealpiggy]

I get in the ring and get punched daily as well, but of course I've never fought professionally and I've certainly never been in the position to win any sort of championship... doesn't mean I can't criticise fighters based on their relative standing in the boxing world.

SOme of the best boxing writers in history have never so much as stepped between the ropes. Are you going to suggest that Damon Runyan, Budd Schulberg and Nat Fleischer are not qualified to comment?

[Dynamite Kid]

I scored both for Taylor also, but he never seemed convinced he'd won, never had that confidence that winning a title is supposed to give you. Of course he had an extraordinary character in the opposite corner, there's only one Bernard Hopkins, but even after the rematch Taylor conducted himself like the fringe contender I think he always believed himself to be.

i dont think his crown ever sat right either ,u have to take a championship u have to rip it away from the champion i cant say he did that IMHO, however like we have both agreed on he did win the fight

i think a loss to Pavlik might serve as a wake up call for him