TalkingBoxing Articles
Respect Leads to More Competitive Fight; Pavlik Victorious Again
MON February 18, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - Shortly after deciding to enforce his rematch clause with World 160 lb. champion Kelly Pavlik, former 160 lb. champion Jermain Taylor fired his trainer for the first fight, Hall of Famer Emmanuel Stewart, in favor of his amateur trainer and mentor, Ozell Nelson. Immediately, the prime question heading into the 166 lb. catchweight rematch became whether a novice trainer like Nelson could really prepare Taylor to put up a better fight with Pavlik than perhaps the most respected trainer in the sport, Stewart. As it turns out, Taylor performed significantly better in the rematch than he did in the first fight. So, now the question is, how?
Perhaps the key factor in answering that question is the fact that in the buildup to the first fight Taylor echoed the sentiment of Stewart, who was generally dismissive of Pavlik. Last fall, both Taylor and Stewart routinely described Pavlik as "over-hyped" and "basic."
In the weeks leading up to Saturday night's rematch, mere months after being brutally KO'd by Pavlik, Taylor and Nelson understandably showed substantially more respect to Pavlik. The dismissive attitude Stewart displayed toward Pavlik seemed bizarre at the time, but it proved instructive to how both fights played out.
In the first fight last September in Atlantic City, NJ, Taylor came out quickly in search of an early round KO that almost came in the second round before he tired in the middle rounds and was KO'd by his upstart challenger. In the rematch on Saturday night in Las Vegas, NV, Taylor fought at a measured pace and exploded in spurts en route to a highly competitive decision loss. If this fight disproved the theory that the winner of the first fight wins the rematch in more convincing fashion, then the added respect Taylor showed toward the gritty, determined and talented Pavlik is the reason why.
Pavlik came out strong and while the fighters split the first eight rounds it became apparent that they each trained with every intention of fighting a rough 12 round fight against a top flight opponent. In the ninth and tenth rounds when Taylor tried to press down on the accelerator and close out a victory Pavlik dug down and began ripping hard body shots. He eventually wore the former champ down and stung Taylor badly at the end of a right cross to close out the 11th round. Taylor hung on to survive the 12th and heard the final bell, but Pavlik pulled out the deserved unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.
In many ways, Pavlik's win in the rematch, though less decisive, was more impressive. He fought a much more determined and better prepared Jermain Taylor; he went the 12 round distance for the first time in his career and did so against a fellow big middleweight who is also in the prime of his career. Pavlik showed true professionalism in sticking to his game plan by applying consistent pressure and maintaining textbook punching form throughout the entire 12 round fight. He put to rest any doubts about his standing as an elite fighter. He fought and decisively beat a thoroughly well prepared Jermain Taylor.
Montiel and Mijares Defend Titles on Undercard
WBO 115 lb. titlist Fernando Montiel, in perhaps the most impressive performance of his career, demolished former WBA 115 lb. titlist Martin Castillo in four one-sided rounds. The fight was expected to be a 12 round war, but Montiel wanted to part of the ebb and flow drawn out wars entail. Instead, he used feints to set up a double left hook that dropped Castillo in the second minute of the fight. Then he continued to apply offensive pressure to put Castillo on the defensive during the ensuing rounds.
Castillo attempted to use his footwork to get into position land his jab, but Montiel consistently managed to either get off first or counter with harder, more effective shots. When a body shot put him down again in the fourth, Castillo accepted the 10 count and the defeat that came with it. He was no match for Montiel and may want to reconsider his position in the sport. At his peak, Castillo had been a force to be reckoned with. However, with each performance he seems to be regressing dramatically.
WBC 115 lb. titlist Christian Mijares systematically broke down 2000 US Olympian and four time title challenger Jose Navarro. In his first significant fight since routing former two-division titlist and lower weight star Jorge Arce, Mijares used his world class defensive prowess to deflect the majority of Navarro's punches. Then he stuck behind his stiff jab to control the pace and flow of the fight. The highlight of the fight was a hard one-two that busted up Navarro's right eye in the opening minute of the 11th round. Final scores were 117-111 and 115-113 for Mijares and an inexplicable 120-108 for Navarro.
Mijares and Montiel's wins should set up a unification match between the two 115 lb. titlists. Their appeal here in the United States may be at an all-time high and both are in the prime of their career. In a talented, though largely ignored, division like 115 lbs., a unification fight could go a long way toward landing either fighter the significant paydays that are typically reserved for bigger fighters.
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