It was of little surprise to most informed boxing observers that Jermain Taylor was knocked-out late on in his fight with Armenian power-house Arthur Abraham. It was surprising, however, that Taylor's conditioning didn't appear to play a role in his demise. Indeed, with 20 seconds of the fight remaining it actually appeared that for once Taylor had lived up to his oft-promised, yet never delivered, return to form and fitness. None of the familiar signs - mouth open gasping for air, reduced punch output, repeated clinching - that herald his imminent knock out were there and 'Bad Intentions' looked all set to take it to the score cards.
Taylor was the busier, if not more effective fighter, throughout. He continually worked the jab but more-often-than-not failed to penetrate his opponent's solid defence. For his busy work ethic, and Abraham's predictable slow start, the early rounds went to the American. However, like a thoroughbred putting on a burst of pace, Abraham began to come on strong in the middle of the bout. He improved his punch output and menaced Taylor with his awesome power.
By the eighth it was clear he had taken control. The Armenian was setting the tempo and his punches found their home more consistently than his opponent. Still, Taylor was admirably hanging in there, doing his utmost to stay in contention, hoping-against-hope he could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Alas, the boxing Gods had a crueller fate in store.
With the fat lady clearing her throat, readying herself to serenade the Teutonic spectators, it all fell apart for the man from Little Rock, Arkansas. A straight right flew through his guard connecting flush on the chin (something Taylor had been unable to achieve) and the fight was over, the finish eerily reminiscent of his bout against Carl Froch. The one important difference being that Taylor was losing this one.
Abraham is on the up-and-up. He is probably the most powerful in the tournament and his defence looks neigh on impregnable. This dark horse has stepped into the light in fine style. Despite the loss, Taylor has to see the positives in this. He performed commendably and his improved conditioning gave him a punchers chance of an upset before he was knocked-out. Of more significance is the fact that Taylor would be another washed-up, derided Jeff-Lacy-figure, struggling to find another pay-day, were it not for the further opportunities afforded by the Super Six. As it is, he has at least two guaranteed money-spinning bouts against top class opposition. Let's just hope his heart is still in it and he remains in the contest.
Taylor was the busier, if not more effective fighter, throughout. He continually worked the jab but more-often-than-not failed to penetrate his opponent's solid defence. For his busy work ethic, and Abraham's predictable slow start, the early rounds went to the American. However, like a thoroughbred putting on a burst of pace, Abraham began to come on strong in the middle of the bout. He improved his punch output and menaced Taylor with his awesome power.
By the eighth it was clear he had taken control. The Armenian was setting the tempo and his punches found their home more consistently than his opponent. Still, Taylor was admirably hanging in there, doing his utmost to stay in contention, hoping-against-hope he could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Alas, the boxing Gods had a crueller fate in store.
With the fat lady clearing her throat, readying herself to serenade the Teutonic spectators, it all fell apart for the man from Little Rock, Arkansas. A straight right flew through his guard connecting flush on the chin (something Taylor had been unable to achieve) and the fight was over, the finish eerily reminiscent of his bout against Carl Froch. The one important difference being that Taylor was losing this one.
Abraham is on the up-and-up. He is probably the most powerful in the tournament and his defence looks neigh on impregnable. This dark horse has stepped into the light in fine style. Despite the loss, Taylor has to see the positives in this. He performed commendably and his improved conditioning gave him a punchers chance of an upset before he was knocked-out. Of more significance is the fact that Taylor would be another washed-up, derided Jeff-Lacy-figure, struggling to find another pay-day, were it not for the further opportunities afforded by the Super Six. As it is, he has at least two guaranteed money-spinning bouts against top class opposition. Let's just hope his heart is still in it and he remains in the contest.
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Thanks for the comment. I will bow down to your evident boxing knowledge.
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