Jermain Taylor vs. Carl Froch Preview & Prediction
On Saturday, April 25, Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch will meet for the WBC Super middleweight title on Showtime Boxing. Froch is unknown to most American fans but is undefeated to this point in his career and has loudly goaded the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Jermain Taylor in the media, looking for a big fight. Taylor, in his comeback bid after suffering two straight defeats to Kelly Pavlik, happily obliged. The winner will be in the running for division supremacy against accepted champion Mikkel Kessler, titleholder Lucian Bute and contender Librado Andrade.
Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor
Height: 6'1" Reach: 78"
28 (17) – 2 – 1
Former Undisputed Middleweight Champion
Carl "The Cobra" Froch
Height: 6'0" Reach: 76"
24 (19) – 0
WBC Super Middleweight Champion
Taylor vs Froch Preview
Carl Froch has an unorthodox style in the ring that can frustrate his opponents, and an unorthodox style out of the ring that he uses to get into his opponent's head. In facing Jermain Taylor however he will be going up something he's not yet had to. He'll be facing a naturally larger, more athletic man than himself. He'll be facing an opponent with more experience at the top rungs of the boxing world and he'll be doing so outside of his UK comfort zone. He has only fought once outside of the UK, and it was four years ago against a middling opponent.
Jermain Taylor has only fought once in the last year, earning a wide decision victory over former Olympic teammate Jeff Lacy in his super middleweight debut. Prior to that, he lost a close decision to Kelly Pavlik, who previously knocked him out. The knock on Taylor is that he doesn't fight to his size, he doesn't pull the trigger enough and he doesn’t fight with a naturally, flowing and calm style. His anxious tendencies and mannerisms in the ring halt his progress and burn through his energy reserves.
So who will emerge victorious? The brash Carl Froch, as he puts himself on the map and lines himself up for further future fights? Or will it be the rebounding Jermain Taylor, former middleweight champion looking for a title in his second weight class?
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Taylor vs Froch Prediction
As mentioned, Carl Froch will be facing a situation and a fighter unlike anything he has ever seen. He hardly has a recognizable name on his resume, his best victory coming in his last fight against fellow unbeaten and unproven fighter Jean Pascal. Before that bout his career best victory was against the well worn Robin Reid in 2007.
I think that Froch will have trouble landing his shots facing the powerful jab of Taylor. If Taylor can get the jab working early and often, the fight become a dominating performance for him. While Taylor hasn't always shined his brightest in his biggest tights, Carl Froch has never been tested at all. The fight will reveal that neither his power nor his boxing skills are as good as he believes them to be.
With a crisp jab crunching into his face and a strong man staring him down, Taylor will be able to win the day. By the mid rounds its possible Taylor could land a big shot and Froch could be stopped. Otherwise, it's another decision victory for Taylor and another championship belt around his waste.
By Jake Emen
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Director of Boxing Content