Round 2. It was this round that told the story of the fight. I know you are wondering why I would say that round two was the moment-of-truth in a prizefight that reached its violent conclusion in round seven. At this critical turning point of the fight, Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor and Kelly "the Ghost" Pavlik showed us their true fighting colors.
On the verge of a career-defining victory after seriously hurting and dropping Kelly Pavlik with a barrage of razor-sharp punches, we saw the best of Jermain Taylor – the fighter that everyone had been hoping for. Little did we know, within the blink of an eye, he would show why he has not, and may never, be the fighter many believe he can be. After knocking Pavlik down, Taylor reverted to his amateurish ways, wildly missed punches, and eventually punched himself out in the round – assisting Pavlik in his survival.
But there are two sides to every story, and Kelly Pavlik showed us that his side was more telling. It was more telling because he showed the heart of a champion – weathering the "bad intentions" that had been thrown his way courtesy of a vicious right uppercut and left hook from Jermain Taylor. Lesser men would have not made it out of that round. Battered, bloodied and bruised, Kelly Pavlik’s intestinal fortitude showed that he could take the heat. Taylor would find out later, that he could also bring it.
Over the next four rounds, both fighters had their moments, trading jabs, overhand rights, and the occasional left hook to the body. On my unofficial scorecard, the fight was even, largely due to Taylor’s knockdown of Pavlik in round two. But something eerily familiar happened in round seven, "the Ghost" shocked Taylor, just as he had Edison Miranda in his last fight. Out of nowhere, Pavlik softened Taylor up with a right hand bomb and beat him into submission in his corner with minutes left in the round. Just like that, we have a new middleweight champion of the world, and his name is Kelly Pavlik. I was once a doubter, but I am no longer.
Taylor’s inexperience in troublesome situations ultimately did him in. If he would have taken a knee when he first got hurt, he would have survived the round. There was less than a minute left.
Instead he backed into the corner and allowed Pavlik to fire shots without a response, the ref was forced to stop it.
Very good point Sportaphile; even worse he didn’t even try to clinch. Hopefully he learns from this gaffe or maybe this fight ruins him. No matter what, we’re going to find out a lot about what Taylor is made of in these next few months.
Taylor’s heart pumps Kool Aid, he’s no longer a blood and guts warrior. He might win another title, but I see him more in the vein of Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright – older fighters that eke out tactical wins. He’s not going to produce any more exciting, action fights.
Sir Jenks,
I don’t think it was an issue of Taylor’s heart or lack thereof; any man who steps in that squared circle has heart. The problem was an issue of technique (Taylor pulls back after punching, leaving open to counters), stamina (Taylor tends to fade late in fights), and missed opportunities (Taylor totally blew a chance to end the fight in the second round). That being said, it all added up to him getting his lights turned out. His heart and fortitude will be tested WHEN he returns to the ring. More specifically, will he be damaged goods, a fighter who fights tentatively in the future OR will he return to his brawling ways? Time will tell the story.