27.09.07 – By Matthew Hurley: At a recent press conference Jermain Taylor’s renowned head trainer Emanuel Steward made a bold prediction. “Jermain Taylor will knock out Kelly Pavlick. Kelly is not a Marvin Hagler, he don’t keep company like that.” These words came after Bob Arum, Pavlik’s promoter snuck a few unexpected digs into the Taylor corner, and in particular Manny Steward. As the press conference started at BB Kings Club in Manhattan, the last stop on the promotional tour for the fight, Arum took to the podium and with his usual bluster ruffled a few feathers.
“Kelly Pavlik is the best middleweight out there,” he said. “Nobody can stand up to his power, it’s not a debate, you’ll see for yourself on Saturday (September 29th). All due respect to Tommy Hearns, one helluva puncher, but Kelly Pavlik is the best puncher I’ve ever seen in the division and unlike Tommy he has the chin to go with it.”
One could just feel the anger in Emanuel Steward when his most beloved fighter was called into question. It was a cheap shot by Arum and Steward was having none of it.
“If you all respect me, then you’ll respect my prediction,” Steward replied in his usual calm manner. “Taylor will knock out Kelly Pavlik.”
Steward went on to talk about Pavlik’s opposition, one of the few things that Taylor holds a distinct advantage over the Youngstown slugger. “All people are basing Pavlik’s chances on are his win against (Edison) Miranda. As far as I’m concerned, Miranda was nothing. People question why Jermain didn’t knock out Spinks or Ouma, but who does? Jermain is a true fighter who will fight anyone.”
Taylor, who has obviously been annoyed recently at media scribes such as myself questioning his worth, chose to take the high road. He basically focused on the fact that he will be facing an orthodox opponent for a change. “He’s not a southpaw,” he opined, with a laugh. “I’ve been fighting southpaws for the last year and a half, now I’ll see what’s coming a lot better. He’s a strong fighter but I’ll beat him down.”
The fight itself has taken on a life of its own. The more fans think about it the more excited they get. After two desultory performances against Cory Spinks and Kassim Ouma, on top of disputed decisions against Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins, many people were ready to wave Jermain Taylor off. Then, Kelly Pavlik, after his knockout of Edison Miranda, pumped some life back into the middleweight boxing division and Jermain has jumped on that bandwagon because he wants this to be a big event. Forget what Bob Arum muttered, Taylor wants this to be a Hagler – Hearns classic because he truly wants the respect of the boxing public.
But he has a terrific fighter standing in his way. And that’s why this fight has become such an event.