Boxing News: Taylor and Wright Meet the Press

In anticipation of the middleweight title fight between Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright on Saturday, June 17, from The FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, the fighters, their seconds and promoters met the press yesterday and this is some of what was said.

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton:

“We will equal Vegas as a fight town. The economic impact – $60 million is important to Memphis, this is not chump change.”

“Winky is good, Jermain is good, may the best man win.”

Lou DiBella

“The public wanted this fight. These are the two best middleweights in the world. Winky is in the lion’s den, but he’s been in the lion's den before. The issue is not the lion’s den, it’s the young lion, Jermain Taylor. Jermain didn’t have to fight Winky coming off beating Bernard Hopkins twice. He’s going from fighting the toughest guy out there, to fighting the toughest guy out there.”

“Jermain is the best fighter I have ever promoted. I am proud to be his promoter. He is my franchise. He is a low maintenance champion. I think it is his toughest fight. Jermain will prove himself again to be the best middleweight.”

Gary Shaw

“It's been a long way from Australia to here. Lou beat me out (in signing Jermain after the Olympics). I’ll just have to get him on June 17.”

“This is the most significant middleweight fight since 1987. Winky truly is going to be a Hall of Famer. For sure he is the single best defensive fighter in the last decade.”

“This is a fight that Jermain truly has to win because Winky is the gatekeeper of the 160 pound division.”

Winky Wright

“Two great fighters will be coming to Memphis to show who’s best. I am here for one reason: to beat Jermain Taylor on June 17. He beat Hopkins, I beat Tito, now we will find out who the best middleweight is.”

Ozell Nelson

“Winky is a good fighter, a southpaw, but Jermain has no problem with southpaws. Jermain only fights the best, on June 17th he will again show he’s the best.”

Pat Burns

“FedExForum is a beautiful venue, Mr. Mayor, you look like you can still fight (mayor was an amateur boxer). We trained here due to the hurricane in Florida last year, and Memphis did everything right for Team Taylor. I have known Ronald (Winky) since he was a little boy, a little teenager, before he turned pro. Winky is all business, he dodges no one, and that shows you the confidence he has facing Jermain.”

“We fought a lot of southpaws moving up the ranks, now we are ready to fight the best southpaw.”

“Jermain is not dodging anyone, Winky is the best out there. Winky is a left-handed Bernard Hopkins. He is slick and smart. It’s a great opportunity for Memphis and Little Rock to get together. They are going to see one heck of a fight. It is going to be an historical event.”

Jermain Taylor

“Sorry we were late (20 minutes) I was chasing my daughter around. I had to take her to day care, and she was tough to catch.”

“I have never seen anything like Winky’s defense. He can defend all day, but we are going to have to eventually fight.”

“This is weird, I am used to being up here arguing with Bernard Hopkins. Winky came over and shook my hand. I didn’t know what to do. He gave me my respect. But in the ring there is no respect.”

“I am undisputed middleweight champion of the world. Winky is the best, this is one more fight that I will have to prove myself, but I have been proving myself all of my life.”

“I live right down the street (referring to he close proximity of Little Rock to Memphis), you can come to my house.”