I don't understand why people are up in arms about Tayor v Wright

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Tate was, at one time, feared, but not by the time he got to Roy. He primed early and was never quite the same fighter after losing to julian Jackson.

Malinga was well past his prime when he fought Jones, having been in maky tough fights ver his 12 years career prior to that fight.

And I would argue that Hopkins had a better post-title resume simply because he always fought for the belts, but I think that's a subjective thing.

I just want someone to explain to me why these 2 fighters are heroes when they fought far less than stellar fighters after winning the title, yet Taylor is considered to be a dog for wanting to fight a top-ranked guy.

Malinga wasnt that shot, he easily beat Benn after the Jones loss.

[restless_438]

How has Wright earned it?

If you're honestly asking this question, i'm done with this thread..

[vB Martin]

I missed this part, and I don't know how:

The past is in the past. Act like a champion and fight him.

By this criteria (not immediately defending against the best), wouldn't Hopkins and Jones be considered unmanly?

[TOPitBull]

I missed this part, and I don't know how:


By this criteria (not immediately defending against the best), wouldn't Hopkins and Jones be considered unmanly?

I see your point, but he still won the fight!

[TOPitBull]

I would agree that RJJ won the title, but Hopkins fought an "opponent" to be handed the title. Subtle difference there.

this is what i meant to quote, sorry.

[vB Martin]

Malinga wasnt that shot, he easily beat Benn after the Jones loss.

He beat Benn in a split decision that wasn't so easy. Benn was also towards the end of his career at that time.
Also, factor in that every fighter, no matter how long he's been around, can still have one good fight left in him. After that fight, with the exception of Reid, he fought (and lost to some) pretty pedestrian opposition.

Don't make him out to be more than he was. He was a talented, yet past his prime, fighter when Jones fought him.

[GTL]

age might be and issue.. winky is getting older.. he wants all the big fights.. taylor has time.. hes in his prime..

[vB Martin]

age might be and issue.. winky is getting older.. he wants all the big fights.. taylor has time.. hes in his prime..

I don't see Taylor as in his prime yet. He's still a largely unschooled fighter. Were I his management, I would have opted for a few more fights against escalating opposition prior to throwing him in against Hopkins.
I also believe that if he goes against Winky next, he will likely lose because he's not ready to fight elite fighters yet.

[phallus]

Taylor has had two hard fights so in many ways he deserves an easy title defense. However, many are questioning the victories over Hopkins and this also questions his valdility as champion.
People want Taylor to fight Wright so that a clear winner and true undisputed champion is found. Taylor's questionable title victories are clouding his championship status, so in the long run it would be better to fight Wright as soon as possible. Wright is also the mandatory.

exactly, taylor won't fight wright next though, because then his reign as middelweight champ is over, he'll put it off as long as he can

[Easy-E]

Ok, he gave 2 very lackluster performances against Hopkins, winning disputed decisions both times. I think we can all agree on that.

Now everyone is calling him a ***** for not immediately fighting Wright after the biggest fights in his still young career, as if it is something completely unprecedented, so let's take a look at what some beloved ex-champions here did after they won the middleweight title:

Roy Jones, Jr:

• 1993-05-22 Bernard Hopkins (22-1-0) (Won the vacant IBF title)
• 1993-08-14 Thulani Malinga (35-8-0) 10 Rd Non-Title Fight
• 1993-11-30 Fermin Chirino (12-7-2) 10 Rd Non-Title Fight
• 1994-03-22 Danny Garcia (25-11-0) 10 Rd Non-Title Fight
• 1994-05-27 Thomas Tate (29-2-0) (Finally defended it a year later)

Bernard Hopkins:

• 1995-04-29 Segundo Mercado (18-2-1) (Won Vacant IBF Belt)
• 1996-01-27 Steve Frank (15-2-1)
• 1996-03-16 Joe Lipsey (25-0-0)
• 1996-07-16 William James (20-6-1)
• 1997-04-19 John David Jackson (35-2-0)
• 1997-07-20 Glen Johnson (32-0-0)

So, apparently it's ok for RJJ to fight 3 non-title fights then defend his title once, a year later, against a tomato can before moving up in weight.
I guess it's also ok for Bernard to go 5 fights and 2 years before fighting a recognizable name.
It's not ok, though, for Taylor to have a single showcase, likely against a top contender, in his hometown before fighting arguably the best in the division.

Someone care to explain this to me?

i see NOTHING wrong with taylor takin a fight in feb or march against someone in little rock and then fighting winky late in the summer