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1. Added confidence
You can speculate on the decision of the fight, but one thing isn't going to be disputed: Jermain went 12 with Hopkins without being dominated. This gained experience will add to his confidence and it will be a totally different fight because he will be DEFENDING his title; and he'll have the confidence of being the champion going into the fight. Before the fight his corner probably told him a million times: You can beat this guy. He probably told himself a million times: I can beat this guy. Well he beat Benard and the second time around there'll be no doubt in his mind that he can beat Hopkins.
2. Added stamina
Taylor sort of fell off towards the end of the fight. Everyone will agree on that. I don't know if he punched himself out or chased Hopkins and wore himself out, but he said in the post-fight interview that he will TRAIN HARDER. How scary is that!? He just became the undisputed middleweight champ and all he can say is "I'M GOING TO TRAIN HARDER". This added stamina will allow him to put pressure on the old Hopkins through 12 rounds. He will definately be in the best shape of his life when he defends his title.
3. Unleashed Jab
Taylor was clearly winning the earlier rounds by pushing the action / pace and showing his thundering handspeed. I noticed that Taylor starts the fight out with his left hand up towards his face. He usually starts the fight with his left hand down around his stomach (sort of in the "hitman" jab position). This was probably a defensive move in the beginning so that he could feel out Hopkins. Even when he was pushing the action he didn't jab as much as he usually does. Even his corner was telling him to jab more and let his hands go, he didn't he was more cautious. He was more worried about pushing the pace. So he doubled up on his jabs in rounds 2-6, but he stepped in so much that he smoothered his own punches. His double jab / straight right will be more of a threat in the second fight. Jermain will unleash his jab and circle hopkins controlling him with his jab.
4. Healed Cut
The headbutt caused a cut that added another dimension to the fight. I think that Jermain sort of panicked and went away from his game plan after this cut. I would articulate his persona as being stunned almost. And this aura gave Hopkins an effective window to start winning rounds. Momentum started shifting and Hopkins began to win rounds. I think Jermain in the second fight will effectively keep his distance and at the same time neutralize B-Hop's counter chances by jabbing and circling B-Hop
I only see Jermain Taylor getting better from here on..
Many fight experts simply said that Jermain did not have the big fight experience needed to beat Benard in a decision. Well in the next fight he will possess a comfort zone that he achieved in this fight. And I think he'll completely dethrone Hopkins.
Did I leave anything out?
You can speculate on the decision of the fight, but one thing isn't going to be disputed: Jermain went 12 with Hopkins without being dominated. This gained experience will add to his confidence and it will be a totally different fight because he will be DEFENDING his title; and he'll have the confidence of being the champion going into the fight. Before the fight his corner probably told him a million times: You can beat this guy. He probably told himself a million times: I can beat this guy. Well he beat Benard and the second time around there'll be no doubt in his mind that he can beat Hopkins.
2. Added stamina
Taylor sort of fell off towards the end of the fight. Everyone will agree on that. I don't know if he punched himself out or chased Hopkins and wore himself out, but he said in the post-fight interview that he will TRAIN HARDER. How scary is that!? He just became the undisputed middleweight champ and all he can say is "I'M GOING TO TRAIN HARDER". This added stamina will allow him to put pressure on the old Hopkins through 12 rounds. He will definately be in the best shape of his life when he defends his title.
3. Unleashed Jab
Taylor was clearly winning the earlier rounds by pushing the action / pace and showing his thundering handspeed. I noticed that Taylor starts the fight out with his left hand up towards his face. He usually starts the fight with his left hand down around his stomach (sort of in the "hitman" jab position). This was probably a defensive move in the beginning so that he could feel out Hopkins. Even when he was pushing the action he didn't jab as much as he usually does. Even his corner was telling him to jab more and let his hands go, he didn't he was more cautious. He was more worried about pushing the pace. So he doubled up on his jabs in rounds 2-6, but he stepped in so much that he smoothered his own punches. His double jab / straight right will be more of a threat in the second fight. Jermain will unleash his jab and circle hopkins controlling him with his jab.
4. Healed Cut
The headbutt caused a cut that added another dimension to the fight. I think that Jermain sort of panicked and went away from his game plan after this cut. I would articulate his persona as being stunned almost. And this aura gave Hopkins an effective window to start winning rounds. Momentum started shifting and Hopkins began to win rounds. I think Jermain in the second fight will effectively keep his distance and at the same time neutralize B-Hop's counter chances by jabbing and circling B-Hop
I only see Jermain Taylor getting better from here on..
Many fight experts simply said that Jermain did not have the big fight experience needed to beat Benard in a decision. Well in the next fight he will possess a comfort zone that he achieved in this fight. And I think he'll completely dethrone Hopkins.
Did I leave anything out?
No one in the division is beating Taylor...
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