DIFFICULT FIGHT FOR BOTH MEN
San Francisco, CA- A couple of months ago I wrote that a fight between ex-World middleweight (160 lbs) champ Jermain Taylor (28-2-1, 17 KOs) and 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward (17-0, 12 KOs) was being discussed. When talking to the Ward camp, they flat out said they wanted the fight.
2004 OLYMPIAN VS 2000 OLYMPIANThis proposed clash at 168 lbs. would pit the 2004 Olympic champ Ward vs. the seemingly far more experienced 2000 Bronze medalist Taylor, appears to not be in the cards. Team Ward is saying that Taylor’s promoter Lou Di Bella nixed the fight. And I’m sure Lou will say something to the effect, “The numbers weren’t right.”
BEST CROSSROADS FIGHT ON THE BOARD?
This would have truly been a “crossroads” type of bout for both men, especially Taylor. Were Ward to prevail, and to do so impressively, this would wake up a majority of boxing fans. It would be the young tiger Ward vs. another tiger with slightly longer teeth (age wise) in Taylor.
AND WHAT IF JERMAIN WERE TO IMPRESS?
On the flipside, were Taylor to smoke Ward, this would give him a great deal of political (boxing) capital. He could go to Wales and fight Joe Calzaghe if Joe isn’t really retired. He could gain a lot, or lose a lot. The reason why this fight isn’t going to happen is that it presents too much risk for Jermain at this point and time for the money being offered.
LACY WIN A REAL SHOT IN ARM
Jermain is coming off a near shutout over win over Jeff Lacy (24-2, 17 KOs) in November. After two losses to Kelly Pavlik, who was then exposed by Bernard Hopkins, a guy Taylor outworked twice, a third loss for Taylor would be an indicator that he should take the money he has and run back to Little Rock, AR, where he resides. Jermain has more than enough money to retire if he were to do so.
WARD GOES IN LEMORRE NEXT MONTH
Unbeaten Ward, 25 next month, goes in Lemoore, CA at the Tachi Casino on February 6 against Henry Buchanan (17-1, 12 KOs) of Capital Heights, Maryland. Certainly a decent fighter, but nothing special, Henry’s lone loss was a near shutout on points to unbeaten Jean Paul Mendy, this in what was a significant step up in class for the 30-year old.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, TV commentator, radio talk show host, former San Francisco Policeman and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding this submission can be left below.