Enough word games. It’s not the WRIGHT-minus-the-W-time.
For Winky Wright, another legacy awaits. As it generously served Bernard Hopkins, Wright’s out to make his own history when he takes on Jermain Taylor this Saturday at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
After years of anonymity and frustrations, Wright finally tasted limelight in wake of back-to-back-to-back wins over superstars Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad. All the hard work paid off in the end, making a perfect case of binary expressions, ‘nice guys finish last’ and ‘patience is a virtue’.
And above all, karma is NO bitch.
For the first time in his career, Wright is no longer the Garfunkel or Luigi of boxing. Jermain Taylor might be the middleweight champion, but it’s Wright who carries that pound-for-pound respect.
Opinions are split down the line as to who the media/fans favor, but it’s clear – Wright will not be underestimated.
SHOW’EM WHO’S THE KING
All hail to the king, but not until Saturday night.
In light of Taylor’s two close wins over long time champ Bernard Hopkins, there’s a sense of expectancy for the young Arkansas native to carry the torch. Provided he wins this Saturday, we might just have our American Idol of boxing, something this sport desperately needs.
So the focal point will reside on Taylor. And it should. After all, he’s the defending champ. Come Saturday night, Winky’s forthright jab won’t be the only pressure Jermain has to deal with. In reality, there are still some unanswered questions regarding Taylor’s quality as a prize fighter. True, he twice outpointed the great Bernard Hopkins, but two razor thin decisions over an aging champ did not provide any answers about the former 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist.
It’s now Taylor chance’s to break out on his own. The dual meetings with Hopkins can’t define his career. A convincing victory over Wright is a great way to carry on.
THE MECCA OF SOUTH
To evade any controversial outcome, the site is somewhat neutral at Memphis, Tennessee. Although the FedEx Forum is demographically closer to Little Rock, Arkansas than it is to St. Petersburg, Florida, it’s a pefect venue to host a main-event featuring two fighters from the South.
CONTRASTING STYLES
Unlike past Saturday’s light heavyweight bout between Bernard Hopkins and Antonio Tarver, fans should expect a competitive matchup in Taylor-Wright.
Taylor must initialize his offense with his piston-like jab. In order to evade Wright’s punishing and sometimes underrated body attack, Taylor needs to mobilize his legs and make sure to get his right hand through those gloves. It won’t be easy, but in glimpses of success few lesser fighters have enjoyed, Taylor is certainly capable of doing so.
Wright’s key to win is always the same. Jab, jab, block. Jab, leap in with a hook/uppercut to the body. Cut the ropes, put the pressure on. Block some more, and then throw a straight left, followed by a right hook. Apply the same pattern until the final bell.
Hey, that’s what got him his fifty professional wins.
If there are any critics leading up to this fight, a dominant victory this Saturday shall rid them once and for all.
And for all of his accomplishments, we should kindly offer clemency should he lose.
This is a real fight. Perhaps it’s vital to our sport, more important than those PPVs.
FINAL TILT**
As the fight time neared at the Boardwalk Hall, I began to sense my prediction was wrong. Drawn by the tumultuous crowd, I was joyful to witness the exhilaration. Something I wasn’t expecting heading into the fight. After twelve-rounds of clinic, I thought I just watched the greatest fighter of my generation.
An inspirational performance it was. And what a way to finish a career, that exemplifies conundrum on its own.
The only question left now is where does Bernard Hopkins belong in history? Greater than Hagler? Monzon? Robinson?
Before I take any heat, let me just conclude that some things are worth arguing.
For what it’s worth, Hopkins is the greatest middleweight I’ve ever seen, above the aforementioned.
So, let the debates begin.