Jermain Taylor - Unwarranted Criticism

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Unwarranted, unnecessary, groundless, and unjustified can be words used to describe boxing fans’ criticism toward new middleweight king Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor. In consecutive fights, Taylor has defeated one of the top five middleweights in boxing history. Quick, name a fighter in the past twelve years that has looked “good” against Bernard Hopkins. The answer is no one. An argument could be made for Segundo Mercado, who battled Hopkins to a draw in 1994 and even dropped him twice. However in the rematch held a few months later, Hopkins stopped Mercado in impressive fashion and after the rematch, Segundo won only one more fight in his professional career. [details]

[Super_Lightweight]

hmm

Damn, talk about an overdue article.

Oh well, better late than never.

Taylor has all the skills. The only thing that will stop him is not being able to make 160 for 15 years like B-Hop did. Either way Taylor will have a successful career when it's all said and done.

[Bombardier]

Yes, good article. The only thing I would say though is that fighters that have been pushed and promoted by "the system" (being network, promoters, or whatever) have often had trouble connecting with fans.

You look at Sugar Ray Robinson, he was always an outsider like Hopkins, fighting to get the respect and fights he deserved. Seems funny today since his legacy is so cemented, but in his heyday the promoters were trying to push other guys like Basilio into the spotlight because they were easier to work with. Yet Basilio isn't exactly a household name outside boxing fans these days, and this is a guy who did manage to beat Sugar Ray.

However Taylor I think has the talent to rise above his image as a "system" fighter.

[blockhead]

ummm no. taylor doesnt have all the skills and the criticism of him is warrented. yes he did beat hopkins once but that is a 40 year old man who refuses to throw combos and in both fights taylor didnt land one not one power shot on hop. because taylor has some of the worst punching accuracy in the sport. he will lose and it wont take long.

[2_piece_combos]

yes he did beat hopkins once but that is a 40 year old man who refuses to throw combos and in both fights taylor didnt land one not one power shot on hop.

Umm...yes he did. I'm not saying he beat Hop decisively, but he did land some big shots in the rematch and Hop took it well. It was a reason why Hop didn't blow Jermain out. Jermain is very strong early. And for all of the experience he lacks at this level, he has good power and strength to bail him out.

All of the criticism is unwarranted considering the fact the Taylor was not the #1 contender for the titles. He feasted on blown up jr. middleweights and then fought Marquez (career 54lber), a faded Joppy, and a green Daniel Edouard. None of those fights can prepare for the elite level. Big props to Jermain.

[jacques3]

wow. 10 years ago we all said the same thing about Hopkins. Taylor is all that. ****, he made the olympic team and kicked ass. Give the kid some time.

[STEELHEAD]

this article expresses my complete sentiments.

can't see how anyone can see it any other way.

am hopeing taylor gets a break and has an easy tuneup next to work on his boxing skills.

zab,floyd,they all take easy ones after theve gotten into the drivers seat.mosley didnt and look what happened to him.

[Moon]

Taylor's performance against Hopkin's (not the scorecards) is the reason why the guy receives so much critical talk. He beat Hops twice, sure, but it was boring as **** and Taylor showed gave us a good serving of very amateurish stuff to base the critisism.

[STEELHEAD]

Taylor's performance against Hopkin's (not the scorecards) is the reason why the guy receives so much critical talk. He beat Hops twice, sure, but it was boring as **** and Taylor showed gave us a good serving of very amateurish stuff to base the critisism.

taylors amateurish stuff and boring **** beat hopkins twice.

more than i can say for dlh and tito.

face it porcupine head hopkins makes everyone look bad.

[RAESAAD]

You know I have to give him credit for what he has done and to be honest really liked him alot before the 2 B-Hop fights and for some reason I have lost some of that respect and am not sure why it is just a feeling I have..........Yes he gave Hopkins the best fight he has had in years and did it twice in a row but for some reason I just don't see what I used to in the guy....I think Winky is going to beat him and he will definetely have to move up in weight someday given his frame and height and I just don't see him being able to handle someone who can still throw hard combos like Hopkins did not.......with the exception of the last few rounds of the first fight that to me exposed Taylor as a guy who can be TKOed easily by a puncher who is not 40.I wish him the best and am not hating on him but these are my thoughts.