On Friday night, former middleweight champ Jermain Taylor ends a 26-month layoff, when he takes on Jessie Nicklow in a 10-round middleweight bout.
Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KOs) has been out of action since suffering a one-punch knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in the opening round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Taylor, once the king of the 160-pound division, thanks to his two decision wins over living legend, and current light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins, defended the championship three times, before falling twice to Kelly Pavlik in consecutive bouts. Taylor then beat former IBF super middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy at 168-pounds, before losing to Carl Froch by knockout in the final seconds of their fight ? a fight he was winning. Many felt his inclusion in the Super Six was ill-advised and though he fought well against Abraham for a few rounds, again found himself on the wrong side of a KO.
Shortly thereafter, Taylor decided to step away from the ring in order to rest and regroup, declaring he was not retiring but simply taking time off from the sport.
?I had every intention of getting back in the ring. I just missed boxing. I was never worried about what was wrong with me. I know my family was concerned, but this is what I love. This is what I?ve done my whole life. It?s who I am,? said Taylor during a conference call this week.
Taylor says his return is not about a financial necessity but simply about wanting to be on top once again.
?All my life I?ve been boxing. I just missed boxing so much,? acknowledged Taylor. ?I?m working hard and I want to be world champion. It?s not about the money now or any of that. It?s about being on top. I want to be No. 1 again. That?s the only goal now: to be No. 1 again.
Though Nicklow (22-2-3, 8 KOs) isn?t meant to provide a stern test for the comebacking Taylor, it should at least give us an idea of where he is at mentally. At 33, Taylor is no longer a young fighter, but if the hunger he says he feels can coincide with the skills he once had, the middleweight division isn?t deep enough that he couldn?t work his way back to a title opportunity.
