To end out 2011, ShoBox is bringing us a must-see card on Friday, December 30th at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California. Shown at 11PM on Showtime, the night will feature the return of former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor as he takes on the young and hungry Jessie Nicklow.
The 33 year old ?Bad Intentions? Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KO?s) has been out of action for over two years, last seeing battle in an October of 2009 defeat to Arthur Abraham. Looking to spoil the return will be the 24 year old ?Beast? Nicklow (22-2-3, 8 KO?s), who has had a good 2011, going 2-0 this year with victories over unknowns Steve Walker and James Freeman.
Taylor had been an original participant in the recently completed Super Six Super Middleweight tournament, but found himself knocked out by Abraham in the final seconds of the 12th round. He withdrew from the tournament afterwards. Now rested and ready, Taylor is set to return to the ring after the long hiatus, but many wonder how much he has left in the tank. He?s lost four of his last five fights dating back through 2007, losing twice to Kelly Pavlik and getting KO?d by Carl Froch and Abraham. It?s been a long time since Taylor took two decisions over Bernard Hopkins in 2005 and there are questions regarding his chin and ability to take a hard shot. Now realistically, Nicklow is a good opponent for Taylor to face to knock off some ring rust, and it should be a quick fight against a second tier fighter. Is Taylor?s chin really gone though? At 33 and following length time off, does he pose any threat to the division?s elite fighters? Time will tell and the story will begin this weekend….
