14.06.06 – By Beau Bassett: After Bernard Hopkins’ successful venture to light heavyweight, I would be surprised if the betting odds didn’t swing into Jermain Taylor’s (25-0, 17 KO’s) favor for his upcoming fight against Winky Wright (50-3, 25 KO’s). If Jermain beat (or at least drew) Hopkins, and Hopkins easily defeated a skilled and legitimate light heavyweight like Tarver, he should be favored to beat the smaller Winky. I don’t mean to take any credit from Winky, but he has yet to prove himself against a considerably larger and more powerful opponent like Jermaine. To me, I think Wright’s reputation is built mostly upon his domination of Trinidad and his clear victories over Shane Mosley.
While Hall of Famers, Trinidad and Mosley were each at least ten pounds above their most effective weights while fighting Winky, and were thus at a disadvantage. In my opinion, Winky’s only win against a legitimate middleweight was a close decision against the previously unknown Sam Soliman, a man who, while spirited and game, does not possess Taylor’s physical assets.
I am discouraged about the general boxing fan’s depiction of Taylor as a raw, and not yet fully undisputed middleweight champion. His clean cut image, confident yet humble demeanor, and olympic pedigree should have not only boxing fan’s clamoring, but the public’s attention as a bonified boxing superstar. He defeated, albeit by the narrowest of margins, arguably the best fighter of the past ten years twice.
In the wake of Hopkins’ historic victory, Jermain must be put in the top five of any pound for pound list. His power and incredible speed made even the great Hopkins timid and weary, feelings which even the notoriously power punching Tarver could not instill upon the all-time middleweight. How will the defensive minded Winky react to the same intimidating strength?
I predict this to be a tale of the fight: For the first three rounds, Winky will dominate Taylor with his pinpoint jab, as Taylor is the aggressor. Meanwhile, though, Taylor will be knocking Winky on the arms and the body. Under this unspectacular, yet effective assault, Winky will tire towards the middle rounds; his straight right jab and left hand will no longer have the pop to deter Taylor, who will increasingly impose his superior strength and speed. Winky’s experience, iron chin, and determination will be enough, I think, to make it to the finish line but expect a battered Winky on your T.V. screens when the final scores are read out. Taylor by unanimous decision, 118-111, 117-112, 117-112.