Give Jermain Taylor His Due

[oldgringo]

I have this feeling also...

People who are big fans of Taylor are obviously less critical of him in those Hopkins fights and the Wright fight because they want to see him win. It's a lot like me with Miguel Cotto. I can fully admit that he has had a couple of rocky performances (although he hasn't won any bad decisions whatsoever yet) but I tend to pull the "well a win is a win" card when discussing his career to this point. I am less critical of him than some people because I want to see him succeed and I know he has something great to offer the sport.

I don't think I'm reaching by saying that this dynamic might be true with Taylor fans. Difference being Taylor has been fighting on a much higher level than Miguel lately, but has also been involved in controversial decisions, unlike Cotto.

[GunStar]

I have this feeling also...

People who are big fans of Taylor are obviously less critical of him in those Hopkins fights and the Wright fight because they want to see him win. It's a lot like me with Miguel Cotto. I can fully admit that he has had a couple of rocky performances (although he hasn't won any bad decisions whatsoever yet) but I tend to pull the "well a win is a win" card when discussing his career to this point. I am less critical of him than some people because I want to see him succeed and I know he has something great to offer the sport.

I don't think I'm reaching by saying that this dynamic might be true with Taylor fans. Difference being Taylor has been fighting on a much higher level than Miguel lately, but has also been involved in controversial decisions, unlike Cotto.

You have to also understand that no one will look good against Hopkins or Winky, these 2 guys are 2 of the best defensive fighters of all time, both guys easily make my all time top 10 defensive list.

For a young fighter like Taylor, he did enough to win the fights, 3 fights in a row with P4P top 2 guys in the world, that's a tough 3 fights for any fighter to take especially for a young fighter.

[oldgringo]

You have to also understand that no one will look good against Hopkins or Winky, these 2 guys are 2 of the best defensive fighters of all time, both guys easily make my all time top 10 defensive list.

For a young fighter like Taylor, he did enough to win the fights, 3 fights in a row with P4P top 2 guys in the world, that's a tough 3 fights for any fighter to take especially for a young fighter.

Yes he did fight two guys who are very tough to look good against. I still think that if you actually fall into that category of not looking good (although he looked good against Wright) then you don't get a free pass.

he did enough to win the fights

Just where me and you agree to disagree. Close fights...so to each his own.

[Neckodeemus]

Thanks Nice Guy, I'm glad the articles are getting fan reaction as that is what is most important to me, I enjoy putting things out there for the fans to read. I'm doing another Toney one focussing on his battles with Eddie Futch fighters and can bring in some thoughts Eddie had on Toney.

Many good points have been thrown-up and the comparison with Cotto is a good one, the main difference for me is that as said Taylor has taken on higher level guys and worryingly (as I am a Cotto fan) Miguel has looked shaky around the beard lately. Saying that he has taken a few temple shots in recent fights and they can discombobulate you. Both guys are really getting good fights under their belts and for me Taylor seems a guy who we can rely on chin-wise, he has fought probably two of the best as well as hardest guys to fight in the world and come through with a few bruises and a lot of experience. I'd like to sim him let loose on Sturm and Abrahams, the European guys won't be able to cope with him.

As for Wright I'll still be a fan no matter what he does next.