Revisionist History-Jermain Taylor

[JakeNDaBox]

Given that Calzaghe-Kessler was what six weeks later... I'd have to imagine that HBO would've pushed for a Calzaghe-Taylor fight some time in 2008, rather than Joe bolting to light heavyweight so soon thereafter.

Calzaghe-Pavlik never materialized for two reasons:
1) Pavlik was obligated to a mandatory rematch with Taylor
2) There was no way Arum wasn't going to try to steal one HBO-sized payday for Pavlik (read: the Gary Lockett fight) before moving on to bigger game like Calzaghe

Taylor wouldn't have been obligated to a rematch. However, his prior run (disinteresting defenses against Spinks and Ouma) and dwindling popularity wouldn't have left him with as much room to screw the pooch; therefore his options would've been limited.

If not Calzaghe, then perhaps a renewed interest in Taylor-Roy Jones, who was a few months away from his money grab against Trinidad. From there, the winner would've undoubtedly fought Calzaghe.

A Froch fight might've still happened if Taylor won, since he'd have won the title(s) from Joe, while Froch was creeping up on mando status. But you'd still have to take into consideration his inability to finish a fight strong.

If an Abraham fight materialized, it would've been at 168. The first Pavlik fight was always going to be Taylor's last at 160.

It's a legit question to ask, since it really would've altered the course of recent history in three weight classes.

[Pullcounter]

JT was rushed. he feasted on 154 lbers and was rushed to a title shot against Bhop.

even after escaping with the lineal title, he was never the same... unlike before when he was beating 154 lbers, JT began to struggle with 154 lbers like ouma and spinks (who used to be a 147 lber).

finally JT was forced to fight pavlik and got KTFO.

that is JT's real history.

[dolfan2909]

JT was rushed. he feasted on 154 lbers and was rushed to a title shot against Bhop.

even after escaping with the lineal title, he was never the same... unlike before when he was beating 154 lbers, JT began to struggle with 154 lbers like ouma and spinks (who used to be a 147 lber).

finally JT was forced to fight pavlik and got KTFO.

that is JT's real history.

i think that's a silly argument, i mean how long was he going to wait? till he was 30...i think he struggled after he got cut against ouma and no one looks good against spinks...i'd say 2 straight wins over b-hop after his 20 straight defenses and a draw against winky who's one of the most underrated fighters in recent history proves he was ready for the big stage...also, if your going to say he beat 154 lbers, than you also gotta say he beat 175 lbers b/c b-hop immediately jumped up to light heavy after their 2 fights so it's not like he only beat small guys

[ИATAS]

actually there was talk of Taylor vs Calzaghe for a period of time but Calzaghe fought Kessler instead.

That would have been an interesting match up at that point in time. It would have been a close fight

[Mr. Philadel]

now that I think about......pull has a point.....JT was kinda rushed if you REALLY REALLY look at it!!......they GAVE him the MW title IMO......as far as that 1st fight with Kell......if that was RIGHTFULLY stopped in the 2nd then JT's confidence wouldn't be dented as it is now!!.....I think he would've fought Roy next.......that would've been kinda interesting!!

[ИATAS]

I think he would've fought Roy next.......that would've been kinda interesting!!

What about Calzaghe? Like I mentioned they talked about fighting then Joe fought Kessler. It would have been the most logical fight for both guys at the time.

[street bully]

How about I don't imagine nonesense. IMO Taylor should have 7 losses next to his name, not 4.

[Pullcounter]

i think that's a silly argument, i mean how long was he going to wait? till he was 30...i think he struggled after he got cut against ouma and no one looks good against spinks...i'd say 2 straight wins over b-hop after his 20 straight defenses and a draw against winky who's one of the most underrated fighters in recent history proves he was ready for the big stage...also, if your going to say he beat 154 lbers, than you also gotta say he beat 175 lbers b/c b-hop immediately jumped up to light heavy after their 2 fights so it's not like he only beat small guys

JT needed to atleast fight real MWs before he fought Bhop.

JT was backing up against Ouma... he had no business doing that. Hopkins ruined JT's confidence.

Spinks moved up from 147 lbs... the lineal MW champ should be able to stomp the former lineal WW champ.

you can't say JT beat 175 lbers, because Hopkins fought JT at MW not lt HW. that's silly.

JT feasted on smaller guys.. that is fact.

[dolfan2909]

ya calzaghe-taylor would have been very interesting had it happened at that time b/c calzaghe doesn't really have the power to scare taylor in the later rounds...i think the fight woulda gone the distance with taylor winning a close decision for landing the harder shots altho calzaghe mighta outlanded him slightly

also, who thinks the pavlik-taylor fight should have been stopped in that 2nd round? i know i did when i was watching it live but now i'm glad it wasn't b/c it would have robbed pavlik who later deservedly won...pavlik was dead on his feet, getting hit with huge shots with his hands down, he was defenseless and for 10 seconds i'm sayin to myself the refs gotta stop this

[dolfan2909]

well yeah but he fought those 147-154 lbers at 160 too so using your faulty logic of calling them smaller guys when they weighed the same for the fight, than b-hop was a bigger guy b/c after the fight he jumped 2 divisions

also the ouma and spinks fight were after b-hop...he only fought real mw's before then and fought numerous fights above the 160 lb limit, was marquez not a real mw? was joppy not a real mw? your arguments are baseless