Jermain Taylor Talk of the Town

NEW YORK (August 3, 2005) – On the heels of a Caribbean vacation with his family, DiBella Entertainment's undisputed middleweight champion of the world, Jermain Taylor, is on a whirlwind New York City media tour this week.

The journey started on Tuesday with a private meeting with fellow Little Rock, Arkansas, native President William Jefferson Clinton at the former president's offices in Harlem. Both beloved in Arkansas, Taylor becomes the second most recognizable face in Little Rock history with his victory over longtime titleholder Bernard Hopkins a few weeks ago. Jermain was accompanied on the visit with his longtime coach and mentor, Ozell Nelson, and his promoter Lou DiBella.

Taylor showed the President his four championship belts. “You made my day,” said the President. “You made my day, sir,” was Jermain's response.

On Wednesday, DiBella Entertainment and Gallagher's Steak House are saluting Jermain on his title victory at a private luncheon and reception at the landmark New York restaurant located at 228 West 52nd Street just West of Broadway in New York City.

Today, Thursday, will be a buzz saw day for Taylor. The champ started off with the popular New York morning program Today in New York on WNBC. Sports anchor Otis Livingston conducted a live interview at 6:15 AM.

The next stop on Thursday was ESPN2's Cold Pizza morning program at 8:00 AM with hosts Jay Crawford and Dana Jacobson. Taylor had appeared on Cold Pizza on the media tour prior to winning the championship, as well.

Later this afternoon on Thursday, Jermain will be toasted by HBO Sports during a private salute at HBO's headquarters on Avenue of the Americas and West 42nd Street. The visit will include a personal sit down with HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg.

Later today (Thursday night), Taylor will do guest commentary on DBE's Broadway Boxing card at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, and watch the up-and-coming “Chin Checkers” duo – unbeaten Jaidon Codrington and Curtis Stevens – in the main event and co-feature. The doors open at 6:00 PM, and the first fight is at 7:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $100, $75, $50 and $35, with special VIP floor tickets also available. Call DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577 to order.

Friday, Taylor is back on the airwaves with a national interview as a special guest on Fox & Friends at 7:30 AM. The program is hosted by E.D. Hill, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade (and the segment was taped on Wednesday).

Taylor wraps up the week as a special in-studio guest on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights with host Brian Kenny from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

Quite a week for quite a young man who is definitely the talk of the town.