HBO Shafts Taylor vs. Froch, Wants Taylor-Wright

[dstew]

The first Taylor-Winky fight ended in a draw and it was exciting so this match up isn't the tragedy most people make it out to be.

Taylor-Wright II, 3 years after the first, at SMW no less, does nothing to advance the sport.

Taylor needs to be focusing on establishing himself at SMW right now, as it has the potential to be one of the hottest divisions in 2009/2010.

To have one of the marquee fighters at 168 taking on Wright in his second fight at the weight is a joke. Wright's best weight was 154, he is 1-1-1 over the last 3 years, hasn't fought in a year and a half, and his only fight above 160 was a loss.

Now, I respect Winky, but to say he is irrelevant to boxing right now is an understatement.

He is especially irrelevant to Taylor's future at 168. Add to that the fact that he has lost tons of fan support with his over-inflated since of self that has had him repeatedly rejected at the bargaining table, including his own refusal to rematch the exact same Taylor that they want him to fight now, 3 years later.

The fact that HBO is even considering this fight right now as preferable to Taylor/Froch, not to mention literally forcing it on Taylor, is beyond absurd. It's part of what's wrong with the power structure in boxing.

If HBO wants this fight to happen, at least make Winky prove he can still fight (at 168 no less) before putting him in what will be a meaningless PPV exhibition fight. Let Taylor try for Froch's WBC strap first, and if they can arrange for him to defend it against Winky sometime in the coming year, then so be it.

Right now though, Taylor's priorities should be Froch, Kessler, and Bute.

And HBO needs to prioritize pulling their head from their ass.

[Enemy/Friend]

Taylor-Wright II, 3 years after the first, at SMW no less, does nothing to advance the sport.

Taylor needs to be focusing on establishing himself at SMW right now, as it has the potential to be one of the hottest divisions in 2009/2010.

To have one of the marquee fighters at 168 taking on Wright in his second fight at the weight is a joke. Wright's best weight was 154, he is 1-1-1 over the last 3 years, hasn't fought in a year and a half, and his only fight above 160 was a loss.

Now, I respect Winky, but to say he is irrelevant to boxing right now is an understatement.

He is especially irrelevant to Taylor's future at 168. Add to that the fact that he has lost tons of fan support with his over-inflated since of self that has had him repeatedly rejected at the bargaining table, including his own refusal to rematch the exact same Taylor that they want him to fight now, 3 years later.

The fact that HBO is even considering this fight right now as preferable to Taylor/Froch, not to mention literally forcing it on Taylor, is beyond absurd. It's part of what's wrong with the power structure in boxing.

If HBO wants this fight to happen, at least make Winky prove he can still fight (at 168 no less) before putting him in what will be a meaningless PPV exhibition fight. Let Taylor try for Froch's WBC strap first, and if they can arrange for him to defend it against Winky sometime in the coming year, then so be it.

Right now though, Taylor's priorities should be Froch, Kessler, and Bute.

And HBO needs to prioritize pulling their head from their ass.

I am fan of Winky so gettng in the ring ASAP with anyone is my main hope. He should fight a tune up first or make the fight at a catch weight that suits both fighters. Just to clarify,I wouldn't mind seeing Taylor capture a belt at super middle by fighting Kessler or Froch but Wink is the man and deserves a shot.

[MJ406]

does Taylor have to take this fight? (vs Winky)

any updates on the situation?

[Breakbeat]

And how is this good for the sport of boxing?

[dstew]

I am fan of Winky so gettng in the ring ASAP with anyone is my main hope. He should fight a tune up first or make the fight at a catch weight that suits both fighters. Just to clarify,I wouldn't mind seeing Taylor capture a belt at super middle by fighting Kessler or Froch but Wink is the man and deserves a shot.

An active Winky may have deserved a shot.

But what has Winky done lately to deserve a shot at anything?

Personally I think he'd be a little nuts to get in the ring against a 168 lb Taylor without taking a tune-up first, after sitting on his ass for will have been the last 20+ months by the time the fight rolls around.

Since their draw in 2006, Winky has had 2 fights, beating an old Ike Quartey and losing to Bernard Hopkins.

Jermain has had 5 fights, beating Spinks, Ouma, and Lacy, and losing twice to Pavlik.

I just cannot fathom why that fight would be preferable to a WBC Super Middleweight title fight in which Froch is the undefeated, largely untested champion and Taylor is the more experienced, but flawed, mandatory challenger.

[Mozza]

I watched the first fight, I don't want to see it again. When will HBO learn that pitting the same familiar faces against each other does nothing to generate excitement among the hardcore fans, holds back potential new stars and ultimately costs themselves money. I don't like Dana White's constant snipes at the sport but fights like this prove some of the points he is making.

[Underdog82]

I really dislike HBO, they have made to many decisions that I cannot forgive. I hope they go out of business. ****** bastards.

[dstew]

does Taylor have to take this fight? (vs Winky)

any updates on the situation?

Taylor has an exclusive contract with HBO, and Dibella is talking like their hands are pretty much tied.

In fairness to HBO, after Taylor's lackluster performances over the last two years, they have every right to question his place on the network and put him in a position to put up or shut up. I just don't see how Taylor/Wright II furthers their cause.

[Enemy/Friend]

An active Winky may have deserved a shot.

But what has Winky done lately to deserve a shot at anything?

Personally I think he'd be a little nuts to get in the ring against a 168 lb Taylor without taking a tune-up first, after sitting on his ass for will have been the last 20+ months by the time the fight rolls around.

Since their draw in 2006, Winky has had 2 fights, beating an old Ike Quartey and losing to Bernard Hopkins.

Jermain has had 5 fights, beating Spinks, Ouma, and Lacy, and losing twice to Pavlik.

I just cannot fathom why that fight would be preferable to a WBC Super Middleweight title fight in which Froch is the undefeated, largely untested champion and Taylor is the more experienced, but flawed, mandatory challenger.

Winky shouldn't lose all of his name for being inactive and besides Taylor doesn't even have a belt in or out of his current weight class. I guess beating Lacy makes him untouchable.

[Underdog82]

Yes I wanna see froch get KO'd in the 3rd against Jermain.

Quote me, I know.

Taylor has never KO'd anyone in his entire professional career and his last TKO was 4 years ago. Wishful thinking, but it wouldn't happen.