Q&A: Jermain Taylor! (1/7/08)
By Boxing Bob Newman, Fightnews.com


Fightnews.com spoke to former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who is training for his highly anticipated rematch with Kelly Pavlik on February 16th at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

FN: Jermain, as training camp gets underway for your rematch with Kelly Pavlik, a lot has changed since your last fight with him. Let’s talk about some of those things. First off, you’re back to your original amateur trainer Ozell Nelson and Emanuel Steward is gone. When we last talked, you stressed that it was a good match and too much was being made of his addition to the camp. Had you won the Pavlik fight, would Manny still be in your corner or do you feel a parting of ways was imminent, regardless of the outcome?

JT: First I want to say there are no hard feelings between Emanuel and myself, Emanuel Steward is a Hall of Fame trainer. I learned a lot being with Manny, however it just didn't seem to click when came fight time in the corner. I don't know what you would call it, but sometimes certain fighters and trainers just don't seem to click when it's fight time.

FN: During the WBC convention last month, it was being rumored that the fight was going to be for the title, despite your insistence that you’d never fight at 160 again. Obviously the fight is over the weight at 166 lbs. How much of an effect do you think that will have on your performance this time around, and did it have an effect last time, fighting at 160?

JT: I have no excuses about the last fight with Kelly at 160lbs, I lost the fight. I'm very comfortable fighting Kelly at 166lbs. It's time to move up, I have been at 160lbs my whole career and don't see any problem with this fight at 166lbs.

FN: Since this fight is over the weight, no title is at stake. You could have easily and understandably moved up in weight and gone after some other opponent. The fact that the first fight was fantastic in the minds of fans and boxing experts alike surely translates into $$$ for the rematch. Is that the motivating factor or is it purely revenge that is on your mind?

JT: It was my first professional loss. I certainly want to revenge the loss and it gives me plenty of motivation. Any fighter with any kind of pride would feel the same way.

FN: When you had him down in the second round, and badly hurt in your follow up flurry, he managed to survive and turn things around. Were you surprised he escaped, and to what do you attribute that?

JT: Kelly fought a great fight and he did what he had to do to get the victory. The only thing I would attribute that to is he was determined and in great condition for the fight.

FN: Up to the point where the fight was stopped, did you feel in complete control or was there a feeling that the tide had changed, that you were fading, or was it a sudden ending in your mind?

JT: I felt very good in the fight, but I can't really explain anything about the tide changing or a sudden ending because it was the first time I lost and the way I lost.

FN: It didn’t seem as though anyone in your camp, including you, had a problem with referee Steve Smoger’s decision to stop the fight. Some thought he could’ve stopped it when Pavlik was down and badly hurt. By not doing so, in hindsight, his decision gave the fans a fight for the ages. Looking back now, do you have a problem with him letting the fight go beyond the second round, or is it water under the bridge?

JT: It's water under the bridge, like I said before, I have no excuses about the fight. Steve Smoger is a very good referee and he is known for letting a fighter have the last possible chance to get up off the floor and finish the fight.

FN: If you are successful in the rematch, would you feel you’ve evened the score, closed the chapter and be content to move on in the 168 lb. division, or would you be open to a rubber match, if this fight is as exciting as the first one?

JT: Well, I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, I'm just going to stay focused on this fight and let's just see what happens.

FN: If Pavlik were to repeat his victory, would you chalk it up to his having your number and just move onward toward other super middles?

JT: I'm not thinking about “ifs”..............my only thoughts are victory.

FN: You’ve had another addition to your family since the last fight- a new daughter. How have the nights been with feeding and diaper duty? Is it going to be tough leaving your wife with that task while you head off to training camp?

JT: Not really, this is our third child and my family is used to me leaving going off to training camp. It comes with the territory and my family understands that.

FN: Bob Arum said your first fight with Pavlik was the “shot in the arm that boxing needed,” and that he hadn’t “seen a fight in the middleweight division like that since Hagler vs. Hearns.” Despite the fact that the outcome wasn’t what you banked on, do you still feel a sense of pride as a boxer to have given the fans something historic and memorable?

JT: It was a great fight for boxing fans and that's what we do as fighters in a very dangerous profession. You give it your best, somebody's going to win and somebody's going to lose.

FN: Though any fighter will say that they don’t look beyond the fight in front of them, is it safe to say that regardless of the outcome of this fight, you’ll be continuing your career at 168 lbs. In doing so, you’ve got to think about the division’s main man, Joe Calzaghe. The fight had been talked about while you were still middleweight champ. If you work your way to a title shot and he is still champ, how do you see yourself matching up with him? Does he have any flaws on which you

JT: can capitalize?
As I mention before, I'm not going to get ahead of myself, the only fighter I'm focused on right now is Kelly Pavlik.

FN: Would you consider fighting your former Olympic team mate, Jeff Lacy if the match was made?

JT: No comment.

FN: What message do you have for your fans in 2008?

JT: I have gotten a lot of fan mail in defeat and I appreciate the fans who are still in my corner and still believe in me.

FN: Jermain, thanks for taking the time to talk to Fightnews and best wishes in the New Year!

JT: Thank you.