Interview by Peter Mark Heintzelman & Trish Kilcullen, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Bad Intentions focus on April 25th, as the WBC super middleweight title is at stake, at the brand spanking new MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, in Mashantucket, CT. And what better way to kick off the new theater, than with the world wide interest in the sensational match up between the crown holder and Brit, Carl “The Cobra” Froch, and the mandatory challenger, the USA’s Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor.
In Carl Froch’s EastSideBoxing release entitled, “Carl Froch Flys the Flag for Great Britain,” the sole British world champion, and holder . . at least currently . . of the WBC Super Middleweight Title, is coming across the Pond next month to defend his belt. The 31 year old Froch is undefeated, with a record of 24-0-0, 19 KO’s, and claims “I’m the best super middleweight on the planet!
Well, that’s a question to be answered soon by The American.
When Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KO’s) became Froch’s mandatory opponent, Taylor’s promoter, New York City’s Lou DiBella, principal of DiBella Entertainment, jumped at a chance of master minding the bout, to appear live on Showtime Championship Boxing.
Jermain Taylor took time out from his training regimen, to answer some pressing questions raised by his opponent, and to express his own intentions, and predictions, about this world title fight:
ESB: Jermain, what a major fight, obviously, coming up against Carl “The Cobra” Froch in April. Is this the fight you wanted, and are you happy to be hosted by the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods?
Taylor: Yes, I certainly wanted this fight and I’m looking forward to fighting at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods. I think this is the first major network fight at the MGM in Foxwoods. I’m fighting for the title and that means a lot to me to be a world champion again.
ESB: Who are you sparring with, and who will be working your corner come fight night?
Taylor: I have not started my sparring yet, just been working on conditioning. Sparring will probably start in several weeks. Ozell Nelson will be in my corner as head trainer, who has been with me ever since I put a pair of boxing gloves.
ESB: Carl Froch, on a European television interview this past week, apparently said that he was relieved when the fight was made, that “everything was right for us, what with me going over to the States.” Do you think he meant by that the television coverage and the purse, or is there some other meaning that you glean from that statement?
Taylor: I really don’t know what’s on Carl’s mind or what he was trying to say…..I really don’t care. I know he has never been in the ring with anyone like me or even been on this stage before. He’s in deep, deep water that he has never been before………I hope he can swim.
ESB: What do you know about Froch’s fight style, and what’s your plan for success, come fight night?
Taylor: I don’t really want to give my game plan away, but I will be prepared for anything that he has come fight night. Regarding his fight style, I don’t think very much about it all. Being on the 2000 Olympic Team and fighting guys all over the world, I have just about seen all styles. What’s important is that I can adjust to any type of style.
ESB: Although Froch admitted that your fight will be a tough one, he also apparently stated on European television that he’s “looking to do a number on Taylor, I really am.” What’s your reply to him?
Taylor: That’s funny, with all the trash talking he has been doing you would think he was the challenger and I was the Champion. He’s the one trying to make a name for himself by fighting me and coming to USA. I’m at a point in my career where I don’t have to respond to whatever he may say.
ESB: Jermain, you’ve done about everything a fighter can do, to gain your legacy in boxing. You’re likely to get the nod first time around, to be inducted into Canastota when you retire. After your victories over of the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Lacy, Cory Spinks, Kassim Ouma, Raul Marquez, and Winky Wright, not to mention your financial rewards from boxing, what’s in it for you to keep fighting, after all those successes?
Taylor: There still a lot of rewards and goals left for me in boxing and I’m still young & hungry. Let’s not forget I’m fighting for the title this fight at 168lbs and there are a lot of good fights out there for me. I still have goals that I want to reach in boxing and I love the sport and I have a family to support.
ESB: Some say you may have lost your will to fight, and are deflated after your duo of losses to Kelly Pavlik. Is that true, what did you learn from your Pavlik fights, and what’s your reply to your critics?
Taylor: If anything the losses have made me more motivated and I rededicated myself. I have more appreciation for the titles I lost, sometimes you don’t know what you have until you lose it. Regarding the critics, it comes with the territory, everyone loves a winner.
ESB: Your fans want to know, and the Brit’s fans need to hear as well: What’s your prediction as to the outcome of the WBC super middleweight title come April 25, 2009?
Taylor: I’m not in the business of predicting what round I will win, I’m not a trash talker………but what I will tell you is that on April 25, the WBC will have a new Super Middleweight Champion.
ESB: Jermain, thank you for taking time out of your schedule for this lively exchange of thoughts, and do you have any final statements you want to say to your fans and the boxing world?
Taylor: I would like to thank all my fans for all their support .
The undercard is not yet completed, but includes a ten round super middleweight bout between Allan Green (27-1-0, 19 KO’s) vs. Carlos DeLeon, Jr. (21-2-2, 14 KO’s, and has undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury (4-0) and middleweight sensation, Worcester, Massachusetts’ Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (10-0-0, 7 KO’s), both against to-be-announced opposition.
“We are delighted to be hosting the WBC World Super Middleweight Championship in association with DiBella Entertainment and SHOWTIME,” said Joseph Jimenez, Senior Vice President of Casino Marketing for MGM Grand at Foxwoods, located in Mashantucket, Connecticut. “What better way to introduce our venue with two of the best in boxing, Carl Froch and Jermain Taylor. Tickets, now on sale, cost $50, $75, $100, and, believe it or not, DiBella negotiated ringside tickets at only $200.00!!! All fights and fighters subject to change. First fight at 8:00 p.m., and the main events will be broadcast live on Showtime!