By Mark Vester
Former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-2, 17KOs) is ready to resume his career, with "Contender" star Brian Vera (16-1, 10KOs) as the most likely opponent of choice.
Promoter Lou DiBella has been negotiating with Don King to match Taylor in catch-weight bouts with either Felix Trinidad or Ricard Mayorga. Trinidad was last seen at 170-pounds, losing a decision to Roy Jones Jr in January. Mayorga was last seen in action last November, when he moved up to 166-pounds to beat Fernando Vargas. Neither fighter took the bait.
Trinidad recently turned down a possible fight with Taylor, while Mayorga is focused on moving back down to a more natural weight like 154 or 147. Taylor, who last fought against Kelly Pavlik at a catch-weight of 166, will campaign at the super middleweight limit of 168.
After two tough fights with Pavlik, DiBella says Taylor has earned the right to take an easier fight. Vera is said to be very interested in the opportunity. He recently upset previously undefeated middleweight prospect Andy Lee. Lee was regarded as one of the best prospects in the sport, and Vera, a huge underdog in the fight, came from behind to stop him in seven. Vera's sole loss was by second-round knockout to Jaidon Codrington during the most recent Contender series.
Former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-2, 17KOs) is ready to resume his career, with "Contender" star Brian Vera (16-1, 10KOs) as the most likely opponent of choice.
Promoter Lou DiBella has been negotiating with Don King to match Taylor in catch-weight bouts with either Felix Trinidad or Ricard Mayorga. Trinidad was last seen at 170-pounds, losing a decision to Roy Jones Jr in January. Mayorga was last seen in action last November, when he moved up to 166-pounds to beat Fernando Vargas. Neither fighter took the bait.
Trinidad recently turned down a possible fight with Taylor, while Mayorga is focused on moving back down to a more natural weight like 154 or 147. Taylor, who last fought against Kelly Pavlik at a catch-weight of 166, will campaign at the super middleweight limit of 168.
After two tough fights with Pavlik, DiBella says Taylor has earned the right to take an easier fight. Vera is said to be very interested in the opportunity. He recently upset previously undefeated middleweight prospect Andy Lee. Lee was regarded as one of the best prospects in the sport, and Vera, a huge underdog in the fight, came from behind to stop him in seven. Vera's sole loss was by second-round knockout to Jaidon Codrington during the most recent Contender series.
