Sunday, 30 September 2007
A True Classic
Ironic, is it not, that Jermain Taylor should show us the best of what he’s got in a fight where he’s battered to defeat. His skills and power were all on show for the first time at title level but his title has now gone along with his unbeaten record.
No shame in that first career loss, though. At last Taylor found himself involved in a great championship fight - one for the ages, I’d say - and although he came out a loser in the end it was Kelly, not Jermain, who’d looked like being blown away in a sensational second round.
As a spectacle we could hardly have wished for anything better. Both men were worthy of all praise in my book and I can’t wait for what appears to be a certain rematch some time in 2008, but it does seem likely that Kelly and Jermain will box other people before getting reacquainted.
Early rumours suggest the new middleweight champ might make a first defence against John Duddy at Madison Square Garden in the new year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Duddy’s team gamble on a lucrative title shot rather than have their man risk losing contender status by taking on somebody else in the queue first, because I reckon that’s always been the plan anyway, but I will be a little surprised if they go for it so soon.
Not that it would make much difference whether sooner or later. John Duddy will believe he can beat Kelly Pavlik. His fans will believe it too. With that in mind, I believe they can sell the match to a big audience, but my further belief is that Pavlik would beat down Irish John emphatically inside five rounds or so.
No shame in that first career loss, though. At last Taylor found himself involved in a great championship fight - one for the ages, I’d say - and although he came out a loser in the end it was Kelly, not Jermain, who’d looked like being blown away in a sensational second round.
As a spectacle we could hardly have wished for anything better. Both men were worthy of all praise in my book and I can’t wait for what appears to be a certain rematch some time in 2008, but it does seem likely that Kelly and Jermain will box other people before getting reacquainted.
Early rumours suggest the new middleweight champ might make a first defence against John Duddy at Madison Square Garden in the new year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Duddy’s team gamble on a lucrative title shot rather than have their man risk losing contender status by taking on somebody else in the queue first, because I reckon that’s always been the plan anyway, but I will be a little surprised if they go for it so soon.
Not that it would make much difference whether sooner or later. John Duddy will believe he can beat Kelly Pavlik. His fans will believe it too. With that in mind, I believe they can sell the match to a big audience, but my further belief is that Pavlik would beat down Irish John emphatically inside five rounds or so.
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