![]() ![]() This past weekend, with Wright pushing the fight, Taylor was happy to have a target to throw punches at. And due to the close nature of the rare action, Taylor was able to take two controversial decisions and the middleweight championship. Taylor is more comfortable in the role of counterpuncher, but with Hopkins as frugal as ever, the opportunities for offense were rare. Prior to facing Bernard Hopkins, he had feasted on foes that were blown-up junior middleweights, lower-level competitors or just otherwise past their primes.Īgainst Hopkins, Taylor was unable to look good due to Hopkins’ style and his own inexperience. Taylor, meanwhile, finally cashed in on his chance to shine against a high-quality rival. But this perceived slight, if treated properly, could fuel one great final run before Wright retires. He earned the draw against a younger, stronger opponent. With people demanding Taylor-Wright, Winky had respect, and the accompanying big payday in front of him. titlist wearing the outfit of a journeyman, a top-level pugilist nonetheless forced to travel to Europe, Argentina and South Africa for bouts.Īfter humiliating Felix Trinidad, Wright, for once, was the headliner, the main attraction in his victory over Sam Soliman. Until he won two straight against Shane Mosley, Wright was far from a household name, but instead a two-time 154-lb. Like Michael Jordan going off for 50 thanks to real and imaginary slights, and just as Barry Bonds has taken criticism and converted it into focused aggression, Wright should feel hungry for respect. Since Wright is upset, he should channel the emotion into a productive outlet. Yet Wright has established himself as a true middleweight contender, a marquee name who is able to bring a tight defense alongside a come-forward offense, and a man whose lack of knockout power matters much less than the manner in which his jabs and left crosses do enough punishment to keep his foes honest. He compared the outcome to his controversial majority decision loss to Fernando Vargas in 1999, blamed hometown judging in favor of Taylor and ignored his choice to move but not stick in the last round, a strategy that cost him that one crucial point on Melvina Lathan’s 114-114 scorecard. Wright himself seemed quite unhappy with the decision, storming out of the ring and forcing HBO’s Larry Merchant to track him down in back for an interview. ![]() So how is it that, with this weekend’s entertaining draw between Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright, fight fans can feel satisfied while the fighters themselves can find positives in both their performances and the results? ![]()
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