Taylor VS Wright:
A Gentleman's Press Conference (3-22-06)
by Scotti Vandevender
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Today the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN welcomed undisputed Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor (25-0, 17 KOs) and his future opponent Ronald "Winky" Wright (50-3, 25 KOs) with open arms. Taylor greeted a cell-phone-to-ear adorned Winky Wright with a handshake and an embrace, a far cry from the shouting match Bernard Hopkins brought with him to Taylor's last two press conferences.

Prizefight Boxing's Brian Young summed up the press conference's respectful tone by labeling the two fighters "first class" guys, commending them for also taking an active role in their communities and exhibiting sportsmanship outside the ring.

Winky Wright's promoter Gary Shaw then echoed Young's comments by proclaiming this event to represent the biggest Middleweight fight since 1987's epic battle between Hagler and Leonard.

" Winky Wright is for sure the best defensive fighter in the world. Winky is the gatekeeper at 160 pounds and a definite hall of famer," Shaw added.

The challenger Winky Wright followed at the forefront and briefly thanked Jermain Taylor and his people for making the fight.

" We are two great fighters. I came here for one reason, to beat Jermain Taylor on June 17. He beat Hopkins. I beat Tito. Now it's time to get it on," stated a confident Wright.

Succeeding Wright came Lou DiBella. The ever-pleased with his young protégé DiBella triumphantly announced "Winky is in the Lion's den. He is facing a young lion on June 17. Jermain didn't have to fight Winky. To go from two fights with Hopkins to a fight with Wright is difficult but Jermain wants to prove he's the best, and do it in the South. This will be the toughest fight he has had so far. He is doing it because he wants to prove he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world."

Before giving the floor to an ever-increasingly talkative Taylor, his trainer Pat Burns offered thanks to the city of Memphis for its hospitality when hurricanes disrupted their training during their preparation for the last Hopkins fight. "People criticized us for taking on Bernard Hopkins, saying he (Taylor) is not ready. People also questioned us for fighting southpaws when we were bringing Jermain up. We didn't know Wright would be in the picture but we are certainly glad we did (fight southpaws). Nobody out there will give Jermain the fight Winky will."

Taylor stepped up to the podium feeling at home and at ease in Memphis, TN, close to his nearby home of Little Rock, AR. Taylor has often leaned on a boisterous crowd for ignition in big fights in his hometown and obviously expects these same enthusiastic fans to make the short trek across the river to route him on.

" It's an honor to fight Winky Wright. His defense is so good, but sooner or later he‚s gotta' fight. I met Winky and he came up and shook my hand. He is a man. I'm used to fighting through a press conference after my fights with Bernard Hopkins," Taylor relayed to the crowd before wearing a broad Southern grin.

" I am the middleweight champ of the world. Now they say Winky Wright is the best out there, so I'm gonna' prove myself again. There's no way someone's gonna' come in my house and beat me up. I live down the street! He's gonna have to kill me, and I've never seen anyone kill someone with defense!"

After the press conference Memphis Boxing caught up with Taylor who added "I'm anxious. I'm in the best shape of my life. Everybody's gonna' be calling the hogs! I like to make the crowd happy. I don't think he knows how the hogs are! We're gonna' be barbequing and everything!'

Wright also shared with his analysis of the home field advantage. "He's coming to prove to the world and his hometown he's the best. So am I. I have had 50 fights with people saying the same thing. I want to prove I‚m the best and do it like a man," Wright politely concluded.

The showdown lacked the hatred, anger, foul verbal assaults and other such banter commonplace in boxing today. Taylor proclaims there will be no respect when they meet in the ring. But, the question looms large - what happens to one of these two fighters, respectful of one another as they are, when they get hit in the face by the other? And that is what will bring us all to witness this intriguing contest on June 17.

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