BoxingScene Staff Predictions: Taylor vs. Wright

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

The FedEx Forum in Memphis will be the stage for the most important battle in the middleweight division. Jermain Taylor (25-0, 17 KOs), the recognized champion of the division and coming off two decision victories over Bernard Hopkins, is challenged by one of the top pound for pound fighters in the game, Ronald “Winky” Wright (50-3, 25 KOs).

After several snags in negotations, lawsuit threats and public arguments over which fighter was scared of the other, the two fighters are prepared for the battle of their lives this weekend.

Taylor, a good boxer with a great left jab, is up against a defensive wizard with a great right jab. The edge in strength lies with Taylor, but he must get past the defense of Wright to land the big shots.

The winner will be dubbed as the undisputed successor to Bernard Hopkins and could very well be the fighter to lead the entire division into the next era.

The staff of BoxingScene comes together to voice their opinions, strategies and predictions for the big fight.

Hank Kaplan - I like Jermain Taylor. He is going to win this fight and I will tell you why. Winky Wright needs a fighter to be in front of him, and Taylor will give him plenty of space, as he did in the two fights with Bernard Hopkins. Taylor is a very good judge of space and will box from a distance, winning a decision in the process. I think the fight has a good possibility of being an uneventful fight because of the clash of styles. [details]

[Mech.]

Ron Borges - I see Wright executing a very defensive fight and winning the decision by a lopsided margin. Taylor will have a difficult time hitting Wright in the fight.

Strike 2 Ron

Rusty Rubin - Best bet (maybe only bet) is a decision...Taylor gets the home cooking and the decision here.

Way to have faith in boxing, Rusty.

Rick Reeno – Jermain is going to leave enough room between himself and Wright to block most punches that come his way, and at the same time he will pick his shots to break Wright down. Unlike Felix Trinidad and Sam Soliman, Taylor is a very big middleweight and is one of hardest punchers at the weight. Wright will not be able to push Taylor around like Shane Mosley and he will not be able to beat him with a single jab like he did to Felix Trinidad.

I consider Hopkins a much better overall boxer than Wright and he was forced to become the aggressor in order to win several of the rounds in his two meetings with Taylor. I don’t see Wright fighting very well as the aggressor, which he will need to do in order to close the gap that Taylor will create between them. I see the fight being close in the early rounds before Taylor takes over in the second half to win a unanimous decision.

Nice analysis.

[restless_438]

noticed that many give Wright an "easy" win...

Rick Reeno – Jermain is going to leave enough room between himself and Wright to block most punches that come his way, and at the same time he will pick his shots to break Wright down. Unlike Felix Trinidad and Sam Soliman, Taylor is a very big middleweight and is one of hardest punchers at the weight. Wright will not be able to push Taylor around like Shane Mosley and he will not be able to beat him with a single jab like he did to Felix Trinidad.

I consider Hopkins a much better overall boxer than Wright and he was forced to become the aggressor in order to win several of the rounds in his two meetings with Taylor. I don’t see Wright fighting very well as the aggressor, which he will need to do in order to close the gap that Taylor will create between them. I see the fight being close in the early rounds before Taylor takes over in the second half to win a unanimous decision.

The words "takes over" in a Taylor winning prediction don't belong ANYWHERE in this fight, Rick..

Sergio Martinez - Ronald “Winky” Wright has the veteran’s guile and is awkward enough to keep any fighter guessing. The fact is that, although Jermain has been in there with B-Hops, he has yet to face a crafty southpaw the likes of “Winky”. Include another voice in the corner in Manny Steward, and Taylor may find himself just a bit out of his element come Saturday night. I see Wright being awkward enough to keep the young bull off balance. Taylor will have his moments in the contest, but “Winky” will do enough to pull out a unanimous decision victory.

best analysis out of them all

[GreatestIam]

Ill just say to those who said WINKY WILL WIN, your in for a big surprise, WINKY will not only be outboxed but beatdown and convincingly, TAYLOR will be to strong and physical for WRIGHT and will work not only on the outside but the inside and do so VERY EFFECTIVLEY!

I SEE TAYLOR TKOing WINKY IN THE 6th or 9TH ROUND

[ferocity]

looks like the majority of the media picked winky to win, i got taylor winning

[Konstantin]

looks like the majority of the media picked winky to win, i got taylor winning

Did you even read the article. Its split down the middle. Maybe even 1 more vote for Taylor

[Easy-E]

looks like the majority of the media picked winky to win, i got taylor winning

I think Winky by decision is the safe choice.
Experienced, goob jab, paitent, cautious.

[The Fix]

taylor doesnt impress me at all, winky outboxes him to a wide UD.

[STEELHEAD]

if taylor is able to fight winky from the outside he'll negate a lot of winkys advantages. and taylors jab isnt shabby. but when i seen taylor in hopkinsII still throwing anxious glancing blows and leaving his hands down, i questioned his boxing skills. is a month and a half with manny in his corner going to help? that plus youth,speed,size will get him the decision.

[Rudyo]

Ill just say to those who said WINKY WILL WIN, your in for a big surprise, WINKY will not only be outboxed but beatdown and convincingly, TAYLOR will be to strong and physical for WRIGHT and will work not only on the outside but the inside and do so VERY EFFECTIVLEY!

I SEE TAYLOR TKOing WINKY IN THE 6th or 9TH ROUND

HEY! I SAID HE WOULD TKO WINKY IN THE 9TH, YOU STOLE MY PREDICTION! I'LL KILL YOU!!!