Boxing News: Jermain Taylor Analyzes Trinidad-Wright

LOS ANGELES (May 12, 2005) – Undefeated middleweight contender Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor will be an interested observer on Saturday, May 14, when Felix Trinidad takes on Winky Wright in a 160-pound superfight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Bad Intentions” broke from intense training camp preparations in Florida to give his take on this weekend's bout. “I think it's going to be a great fight,” said Taylor. “Trinidad is going to be the aggressor and Winky is going to be the boxer. As far as who's going to win the fight, I can't call it. They're both good fighters, and in boxing, I believe anything can happen.”

Question: What are Trinidad's weaknesses?

Taylor: “His defense. He can get hit; in fact, he's not hard to hit at all. I think if Winky just puts his punches together, he'll have an easy fight. But the only thing about Trinidad is that he comes to fight. He's a dog when he gets into that ring, so that's why I can't call it.”

Question: Do you think Wright has the power to hurt Trinidad?

Taylor: “I do. I think Winky has been waiting a long time for this, so he will be in shape and he is strong.”

Question: What are Wright's strengths?

Taylor: “He's a southpaw, so he's awkward already, his hand speed is great and his power is good. He's just an all-around good boxer. But I don't know how he's going to react to Trinidad's pressure.”

Question: Is it truly difficult to fight a southpaw?

Taylor: “Every southpaw I fought, I knocked out. (Laughs) But I watched other people box southpaws, and it's not that difficult. Don't ever let a southpaw put pressure on you, but don't chase him around the ring because they're awkward and you'll forget that a punch is coming that way, and it will come. Some people think that a jab won't work against a southpaw, but a jab is excellent against one. So you've got to use your jab. Plus, a normal straight right hand-left hook works against a southpaw too.”

Question: Wright is fighting in his first pay-per-view bout. Is that type of pressure overrated?

Taylor: “I don't think that's overrated. It seems like every fight I fight, it's getting bigger, and every fight takes some adjusting for me. So it's a big factor. I believe pressure busts pipes, and it is a lot of pressure because you're trying your hardest to put on a good show – not only for you, but for the fans. And if the fans don't like what they're seeing, they'll boo. And no one wants that.”

Question: Trinidad will bring a lot of local fans Saturday night. Is that a factor to the opposing fighter – in this case Wright?

Taylor: “Yes it is. He can say whatever he wants, but if the crowd is booing you, I don't care how much confidence you've got, it affects you. I got booed once, against Raul Marquez, and it does something to you. But with the crowd behind you, it's like you get that much more of a boost of energy.”

Question: Do you have a final prediction?

Taylor: “My final pick is that they're two great fighters in the ring, and someone's gonna have to win, but I couldn't tell you which one it is.”