Jermain
Taylor Takes his Training Camp to Houston
September 10, 2009
HOUSTON (September 10, 2009) - Former
middleweight champion Jermain Taylor knows what it takes to win – finish
strong. And now Taylor has changed his training camp from Miami,
Florida, to prepare for his explosive October 17th fight with Arthur
Abraham in Berlin, Germany at o2 World. Taylor is going through a
grueling 10-week training camp at former heavyweight champion George
Foreman's gym in Houston, Texas, the George Foreman Youth Center.
The Taylor-Abraham fight is the start of the historic inaugural Super
Six World Boxing Classic round-robin six fighter tournament, featuring
the class of the Super Middleweight division from home and abroad. Five
of the world's top boxing promoters have collaborated with SHOWTIME
Sports to facilitate this epic tournament. Lou DiBella of DiBella
Entertainment, Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions, Mick Hennessy of
Hennessy Sports, Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions LLC and Wilfried and
Kalle Sauerland of Sauerland Event will promote the tournament which
begins October 17th and runs through spring 2011.
Tickets for Taylor vs. Abraham are now on sale by calling (01803/206070)
or visit http://www.o2world.de/ - (Euro - €15, €29, €39, €60, €80, €150,
€250, €1000) / From USA (01149-1803/206070) / $22, $42, $56, $86, $115,
$215, $350, $1,434).
Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KO's) was stopped late in the 12th round, coming
within 14 seconds of winning the super middleweight title in his last
bout with Froch. Coming that close and not tasting victory is something
that Taylor said will never happen again. That's why this training camp
– Taylor's first in Houston – is different.
"It was time for a change from Miami. I got to comfortable and there can
be a lot of distractions in Miami. I like the training environment here
in Houston. The gym is located in a very remote part of Houston which
allows total focus and commitment," said Taylor. "Things have been very
intense and serious in camp. Everyone is working hard. There's going to
be a lot of focus on the 10th, 11th, 12th round if the fight should go
that far. Those are the rounds I usually get tired. I will be prepared
to make sure I have the last few rounds under control."
George Foreman, who has 68 knockouts among his 76 career victories, has
occasionally stopped by the gym and spoken with Taylor at camp, and
Taylor has done some of his early morning runs with Foreman's sons.
"George will stop by the gym sometimes and observes our workouts. He has
offered some good advice, not only about boxing , but about life in
general. When George talks you can't do anything but listen," said
Taylor.
But this camp isn't about reminiscing with boxing legends. It is about
working to regain Taylor's place among boxing's elite, where he
rightfully belongs.
"For this fight it's about stepping up to the plate and delivering. I
have to dictate and control this fight," said Taylor.
Ozell Nelson, Taylor's trainer, knows that this tournament gives Taylor
an opportunity to show the boxing world that Taylor is still a force,
and should not be taken lightly.
"Jermain is going to come out and shock the people of Germany when he
beats their hometown hero," Nelson said. "I know most people in the
boxing world have written Jermain off. We're going back to the basics
that got us here. It would be a huge mistake to think Jermain doesn't
have anything left in the tank."
Abraham (30-0, 24 KO's) is the reigning middleweight champion and
fighting in his hometown, but Taylor isn't concerned about the odds
against him.
"I know Arthur's fighting in his hometown," Taylor said. "I'm no
stranger to fighting overseas, being a former Olympian I know what it's
like. I know he's going to have the crowd behind him. I'm going to keep
the crowd out of the fight. I'm going to make him fight a way he doesn't
want to fight. He's a tough fighter, but I will be ready for the
challenge."
The fans are certainly going to be ready for what is expected to be a
non-stop action fight between two of the most exciting boxers in the
super middleweight division.
"This tournament is historic, and on Oct. 17, Jermain Taylor is going to
solidify himself among the great 168-pounders in the world by defeating
the reigning middleweight champion Arthur Abraham in his adopted
hometown of Berlin." Lou DiBella, Taylor's promoter, said. "We're
looking forward to coming to Berlin, and disappointing some of the
greatest boxing fans in the world."
