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was reported by Tim Smith in his NY Daily News column that there is a strong possibility that WBC/WBO middleweight champion Jermain Taylor will dump trainer Emanuel Steward.
Taylor's marriage with Steward began with the June 06 clash with Winky Wright, which saw him fight Wright to a draw. Following the bout with Wright, Taylor had two more bouts under the wing of Steward, against Kassim Ouma and last Saturday against Cory Spinks, both resulting in unimpressive decision wins.
Steward's contract with Taylor is now up and there are many on the inside who feel that Taylor will not retain his services.
Steward was very vocal during and after Taylor's bout with Spinks, regarding the selection of Spinks as the opponent. It was said by Steward that he never wanted Taylor to be in that fight because Spinks makes fighters look bad. He would have much rather had Taylor fight Edison Miranda, who was knocked out on the undercard by Kelly Pavlik.
Those close to the situation told Smith that it was shocking to hear Steward being critical of Taylor's opponent, when he was the one who picked Spinks. A claim that Steward denies.
"You must be kidding me. No way. I would have never, never, ever put him in against Cory Spinks. Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and even Ray Robinson wouldn't have looked good against Spinks," Steward said.
According to Smith, a source with knowledge of the situation told him that Steward, Ozell Nelson, Taylor's adviser, and Al Haymon, Taylor's manager, had three names on a list for last weekend's bout - Miranda, Pavlik and Spinks, to replace the original opponent, Sergio Mora, pulled out after a dispute over the fight being held in Memphis. It was said that Haymon asked Nelson and Steward to pick the best opponent for Taylor, and both men selected Spinks.
I really think Steward has held Taylor back and isn't right for him. I hope Jermain "Bad Impressions" Taylor will step it up to where he should be.
Taylor's marriage with Steward began with the June 06 clash with Winky Wright, which saw him fight Wright to a draw. Following the bout with Wright, Taylor had two more bouts under the wing of Steward, against Kassim Ouma and last Saturday against Cory Spinks, both resulting in unimpressive decision wins.
Steward's contract with Taylor is now up and there are many on the inside who feel that Taylor will not retain his services.
Steward was very vocal during and after Taylor's bout with Spinks, regarding the selection of Spinks as the opponent. It was said by Steward that he never wanted Taylor to be in that fight because Spinks makes fighters look bad. He would have much rather had Taylor fight Edison Miranda, who was knocked out on the undercard by Kelly Pavlik.
Those close to the situation told Smith that it was shocking to hear Steward being critical of Taylor's opponent, when he was the one who picked Spinks. A claim that Steward denies.
"You must be kidding me. No way. I would have never, never, ever put him in against Cory Spinks. Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and even Ray Robinson wouldn't have looked good against Spinks," Steward said.
According to Smith, a source with knowledge of the situation told him that Steward, Ozell Nelson, Taylor's adviser, and Al Haymon, Taylor's manager, had three names on a list for last weekend's bout - Miranda, Pavlik and Spinks, to replace the original opponent, Sergio Mora, pulled out after a dispute over the fight being held in Memphis. It was said that Haymon asked Nelson and Steward to pick the best opponent for Taylor, and both men selected Spinks.
I really think Steward has held Taylor back and isn't right for him. I hope Jermain "Bad Impressions" Taylor will step it up to where he should be.
