Andre Ward and Jermain Taylor are traveling very different paths. Ward is an undefeated, newly crowned owner of a world title belt, having recently dethroned, and out-classed, tournament favorite, Mikkel Kessler. Taylor's career, on the other hand, seems to be going to hell on a bobsled. Four of Taylor's last five fights have ended with a loss. Three of those losses, to Kelly Pavlik, Carl Froch, and Arthur Abraham (the loss to Abraham being a Super Six Toiurnament fight) by KO.
Jermain Taylor's Bad Ring Habits
Virtually everything about Taylor that is boxing related is questionable. His chin, his confidence, and his stamina raise red flags with increasing frequency. Moreover, Taylor's poor habits in the ring are glaring and obvious to all--his best punch, the straight right, is telegraphed by raising his arm several inches before he throws, rendering a formidable weapon useless. Taylor, once thought to possess great natural gifts and the makings of a long term star, is a plodding, predictable opponent for any world-class fighter.
Andre Ward Has Every Edge Over Taylor
Ward is the antithesis of predictable in the ring. His movement is constant, his combinations are varied, and his feints are merciless. His punches come from all angles while his head is always a moving target. Stamina and punch volume work in Ward's favor too. This fight has everything it takes to be a mismatch of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, proportions. Ward gets the edge in confidence. Ward gets the edge in speed. Ward gets the edge in mobility. Ward gets the edge in stamina. Ward gets the edge in defense. And the list goes on.
Jermain Taylor's "Puncher's Chance" Won't Help
One is inclined less to consider who might win, than how the inevitable outcome will affect their careers. It is true that Taylor can still punch with authority, but the "puncher's chance" is a poor method of predicting fights. The point of boxing is that one can overcome strength with skill. Virtually every reasonably healthy 168 pound man could step in the ring and have a "puncher's chance" against Ward, or any other fighter of similar skill. Now, whittle that number down to those who can actually land that big punch. Different story.
A knockout loss for Taylor would be ruinous. A decision loss, merely a disaster. For Ward, he likely goes into a fight with Andre Dirrell with four Super Six points on his balance sheet and his confidence sky high. That's when things get interesting, as Dirrell is a slippery fighter who probably came out of his loss to Froch a better boxer than he was before, and may possess just the tools to overcome the puzzling style and sneaky power of Arthur Abraham.
A potential Ward versus Dirrell fight would be much more difficult fight to predict.
Bill Scherer - Bill Scherer has written for RingSports.com and TigerBoxing.com, enjoyed a stint as the Managing Editor for FightTube.tv and is a United ...
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