Soliman vs Jermain Taylor

[pugilisticprofessor]

Supposed to be announced very soon, alot of people are going to bash this one but to be honest I think Taylor has a chance.

Thoughts?

[beatdown337]

I was really hoping that we would have seen soliman take on GGG in a unification bout

[ikorolev]

Taylor hasn't fought good opponents since his loss to Abraham in 2009. It is really hard to predict. ... and yes, Soliman should fight GGG while he has a chance.

[sucracristo]

one reason to think that may be true is taylor just magically appeared
in the ibf's top 15 despite not having fought since december against a
guy not even in the top 100, the same way ishe smith magically appeared
in the ibf's ratings when it was announced he was going to challenge bundrage.
soliman may think this is a way to extend his reign but if he loses to taylor he
will regret not following through with his word and going down to the best (ggg)
for more money and more respect. sometimes other names get thrown out
during negotiations though just to push for money money. would much rather
see soliman fight ggg, especially after soliman called ggg out so many times.

[ikorolev]

They are all calling GGG out when he has a fight scheduled. When he is available and looking for an opponent, suddenly they all recollect the "risk versus award" thing and disappear from the picture.

[jujigatame]

No clue what to make of Taylor. He did beat Truax a couple of years ago, but he turns 36 soon and has been so inactive, I could definitely see Soliman outworking him for a wide decision.

[ikorolev]

Truax is not a top level fighter. His rating in boxrec is way too high.

[MachoTime]

What weight would they be fighting at..Soliman is 160, Taylor is 168.. Is it for Soliman's version of the title at 160. Ten rounder at 168..

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Wow, JT might be winning another title.

Boxing is BS ... and because Taylor is very brave, he will be getting a beating from GGG if he beats Soliman, which is very possible.

[Woldemar]

At his best JT easily would outboxed Soliman

Know Soliman beat Taylor by decision.

[jujigatame]

Truax is not a top level fighter. His rating in boxrec is way too high.

He's not a top fighter, but he's a decent B-lister. Not sure how much Taylor beating him means though. That was 2.5 years (and a lot of inactivity) ago.

[Andrew]

What a joke apparently a lot of money in the a Martin Murray fight !!!!!

[crusader]

Fight next week.

I was surprised to see such an even split in the contest, as I thought Soliman would be more heavily favored based on recent accomplishments and Taylor's health and legal issues. Truax was Taylor's most notable win since the Abraham KTFO and brain bleed, but that was 2.5 years ago, he was dropped, shaky, and didn't look good, he's only had two fights since, and he's facing legal issues which could distract him from the fight. Soliman may be relatively old but I don't think he's shown many signs of slowing and he's still capable of a very high work rate from first bell to last. Perhaps some time out of boxing is what Jermain needed to rejuvenate himself and give him a boost over Soliman following a string of damaging fights, but I'm leaning towards Soliman outworking him and taking over in the second half of the bout to retain his title.

[JCS]

I'm suspecting Soliman may have problems with Taylor's size. Many of Taylor's problems were at 168.. but he's a big 160, while Soliman is a small and old 160.

Soliman is also on Taylor's (relative) home turf... and fighting in the states. Take that how you will.

Taylor's probably desperate at this point and I think this has all the makings for an upset.

[ikorolev]

I'm suspecting Soliman may have problems with Taylor's size. Many of Taylor's problems were at 168.. but he's a big 160, while Soliman is a small and old 160.

Soliman is also on Taylor's (relative) home turf... and fighting in the states. Take that how you will.

Taylor's probably desperate at this point and I think this has all the makings for an upset.

The question is if he can still make 160 comfortably enough to be able to deal with Soliman's work rate.

[crusader]

I'm not sure that Soliman's age is a factor, as he hasn't recently looked old in the ring and I think it's clear that Taylor has regressed significantly more. The location and potential political factors could benefit Taylor, though I think that would be in terms of fair officiating rather than Soliman being offset by being the away fighter, as he's performed well several times in that role. Taylor is also significantly bigger and it will probably be important for him to use that size effectively, but I'm not sure he still has the tools to use his size in such a manner that will allow him to overcome Soliman's awkward and very busy style.

[Perseus]

Besides having clearly declined Taylor being allowed in the ring at all is legitimately debatable.
They like to claim he got cleared by the NSAC but he hasn't had a fight there yet.
Probably pretty easy for the NSAC to say "sure we'll clear you to fight somewhere other than here".

I worry about Taylor more in this fight than I would against a slugger. In the ring with feather-fist Soliman there's more of a chance to take a sustained beating than there would be with a slugger.
I hope the ref keeps a close eye on Jermain and wastes no time pulling the plug on him if Soliman starts to dominate.

If Jermain wins good for him but I hope Soliman wins and Jermain decides to stay out of the ring forever afterwards.

[Like a Boss]

I was really hoping that we would have seen soliman take on GGG in a unification bout

Soliman vs GGG may still happen. But it will rely on Soliman getting past Taylor and perhaps Quillin first.

[ikorolev]

I was really hoping that we would have seen soliman take on GGG in a unification bout

Soliman vs GGG may still happen. But it will rely on Soliman getting past Taylor and perhaps Quillin first.

If he beats Taylor, then N'Dam is next unless GGG Team makes an offer he can't turn down.

[Like a Boss]

I was really hoping that we would have seen soliman take on GGG in a unification bout

Soliman vs GGG may still happen. But it will rely on Soliman getting past Taylor and perhaps Quillin first.

If he beats Taylor, then N'Dam is next unless GGG Team makes an offer he can't turn down.

Logically yes. But boxing just plain isn't logical and I've heard a few whispers.

[diddy]

I will be absolutely shocked if Taylor wins this fight. Soliman's workrate + PED usage will be alot to overcome. Taylor is gonna need a KO. I dont think he gets it.

[MachoTime]

Taylor is going to get stopped. Taylor is way past it.

[Like a Boss]

Soliman is in as good a form as he's ever been in at the ripe old age of 40 and hopefully won't have too much trouble with Taylor.

[hulkmaniac]

Haymon is hoping Taylor makes it to the final bell to give him a gift decision. then feed him to Peter Quillin.

[polecateddy]

Boxing News is going with Taylor on points. I can see the logic in that. Soliman doesn't seem to get rated very high internationally but clearly is a handful for anyone bar GGG. The Aussie is getting more brittle. Taylor can come from behind and get a late stoppage.