by David P. Greisman

Former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor has been charged with first-degree battery and aggravated assault following a shooting early in the evening on Tuesday at his home in Arkansas, according to Arkansas Online.

“The cousin was unarmed when he came to Taylor’s home … and an altercation developed,” the newspaper said, citing local police.

Authorities soon found the cousin at a Dollar General not far from the scene.

Taylor, 36, is scheduled to fight for a world title on Oct. 8 against fellow 160-pounder Sam Soliman. Taylor is 32-4-1 with 20 KOs.

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