Jermain Taylor Inspired By Bernard Hopkins' Win

[KJB]

Calling Kelly a paper champ is BS. Kelly lost to a LHW, the number 2 LHW in the world right now, the guy who just lost the title via split decision. A MW losing a fight above SMW doesnt make him a paper champ.

[dstew]

that doesnt make sense...

On paper he is the champ at 160. But in many fans' minds, many other fighters' minds, and probably his own mind, the fashion in which Pavlik was beaten has changed the perception of him as a "champion" in the truest sense of the word which means "best" or "most superior."

This is a somewhat different context from being a "paper champ" in the sense that a fighter didn't beat a legitimate champion in order to get his title, because we all know that he legitimately beat Taylor to get that honor bestowed upon him.

It's all about perception, and if there is the overwhelming reason to suspect that a fighter is only a "champion" because of a technicality - in this case the catchweight - then there is a legitimate argument that their championship is on paper only. Because the only other place it exists is in our minds...

[KJB]

On paper he is the champ at 168. But in many fans' minds, many other fighters' minds, and probably his own mind, the fashion in which Pavlik was beaten has changed the perception of him as a "champion" in the truest sense of the word which means "best" or "most superior."

No brother, its very, very simple. Pavlik is the "best" fighter in the world, at MW. He is the MW champion of the world. It really isnt very complicated, Hopkins has been a LHW for years now, and is one of the most masterful boxers in any era, ever.

[dstew]

No brother, its very, very simple. Pavlik is the "best" fighter in the world, at MW. He is the MW champion of the world. It really isnt very complicated, Hopkins has been a LHW for years now, and is one of the most masterful boxers in any era, ever.

That's your perception, not necessarily mine or everyone else's.

I understand opinions are mixed on this issue, but there is no denying that a lot of the shimmer Pavlik had prior to the Hopkins fight did not leave the ring with him that night. The notion of him as a champion is not aided by the fact that those belts once belonged to the man who beat his ass on Oct. 18.

[goldenglove2]

On paper he is the champ at 168. But in many fans' minds, many other fighters' minds, and probably his own mind, the fashion in which Pavlik was beaten has changed the perception of him as a "champion" in the truest sense of the word which means "best" or "most superior."

This is a somewhat different context from being a "paper champ" in the sense that a fighter didn't beat a legitimate champion in order to get his title, because we all know that he legitimately beat Taylor to get that honor bestowed upon him.

It's all about perception, and if there is the overwhelming reason to suspect that a fighter is only a "champion" because of a technicality - in this case the catchweight - then there is a legitimate argument that their championship is on paper only. Because the only other place it exists is in our minds...

he's not a champion at 168..he is a champion at 160....duh

[goldenglove2]

That's your perception, not necessarily mine or everyone else's.

I understand opinions are mixed on this issue, but there is no denying that a lot of the shimmer Pavlik had prior to the Hopkins fight did not leave the ring with him that night. The notion of him as a champion is not aided by the fact that those belts once belonged to the man who beat his ass on Oct. 18.

those belts had NOTHING to do w/ a fight at 170............

HOPKINS isnt the best MW in the world. Jermain took that title from him..and Pavlik KO'd Jermain for it.. bye

[dstew]

those belts had NOTHING to do w/ a fight at 170............

HOPKINS isnt the best MW in the world. Jermain took that title from him..and Pavlik KO'd Jermain for it.. bye

Nobody said anything about Hopkins being the best MW.

Read.

Understand.

THEN Reply.

[ricky1978]

There is always going to be that boxer that you can't beat.....every boxer will have his kryptonite.......

[wayomayo]

Taylor doesn't have a history of being a trash talker, so I'm hesitant to rush to judgement on his comment about Pavlik. It's just out of place with any comment he's made previously, and even in this context he says "I felt bad for Kelly." To me it came off as him empathizing with Kelly as a fighter, knowing that a lopsided beatdown like that would make him feel like he were no longer a champion, even if you still hold the belts because the fight was at a catchweight.

I'm sure many people will accuse me of grasping at straws to defend Taylor, but the fact is that he is NOT your typical trash-talker. 99% of his comments to the media are him talking about himself - NOT talking about other fighters. He's an introspective guy and I am interpreting his comment in that fashion.

Comparing him to a loudmouth asshat like Joe Calzaghe all of a sudden is ridiculous. If anyone is showing himself to be a jackass by having the "gall" to say some ****** ****, it is you for equating him to the Welshman.

I understand you have to defend your local boy, but when Taylor opened his mouth and called Pavlik a champion on paper, to me that makes him seem like a jackass who is still hurt by the nature of how he lost his titles to someone he thought he'd roll over easily. I understand he isn't a trash talker and I may have gone to far in comparing him to CalzASSghe, because Calzaghe is the biggest tool in the sport, but not giving the proper respect to the man who beat him twice, once by knock out, and calling him a paper champion is a jackass move.

[Crazylegs77]

Oh Jermaine.

You see in JT's mind Hopkins beating Pavlik meant that he beat Pavlik cause he beat Hopkins (even though he never really beat him decisively). So this new reality Kelly is only a paper champ!

Haha hope Lacey KOs him.