SOLIMAN vs TAYLOR: BAD INTENTIONS IN BILOXI
By Chris Carlson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Oct 2014
Jermain Taylor returns from a sabbatical of sorts to challenge Sam Soliman for his IBF middleweight belt. The card will be broadcasted live on Espn2 from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Boxing adviser extraordinaire Al Haymon, known for his mysterious persona, has a way of giving his clients the best possible deal and boxing fans the shaft. His mismatches on Showtime have underlined a subpar 2014, coming off an energized 2013.
When I first heard this fight being announced it wasn't so much how but why. I'm not one to take money out of the next mans pockets but this fight is a shame. It's more than a shame, it borderline criminal.
In the fall of 2010, Taylor was knocked out in the 12th round by than unbeaten Arthur Abraham. He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a brain bleed.
Fourteen months later he resumed his career versus journeyman Jessie Nicklow, scoring an 8th round TKO. Less the five months later he stepped in the ring with than unknown fighter Caleb Truax. Taylor won the fight but got dropped by a right hand in the ninth round of a ten round bout.
Two more fights and a recent frightening event outside the ring brings us up to date.
In his last fight, Sam Soliman righted a wrong with a win over Felix Sturm, after their first contest had been ruled a no-contest when an A sample of Soliman?s tested positive for methylsynephrine. Soliman has been there, done that on the world scene, and is in good position to land a big payday if he can get past Taylor.
Both men have the skills to fight from the outside which makes this fight a possible snoozer. Neither fighter is near their prime. The sad part being at age 40, Soliman is closer removed from his best days than a severely damaged Taylor at 36.
To be honest, I can?t find it in me to go into much detail breaking down this title tilt, because of the real possible of serious injury and the fact that Taylor is so far removed from his prime.
Taylor has fought only twice in the last two years with his last one coming around ten months ago. If this fight had taking place circa mid-to-late 2000's the outcome would be very predictable. Time waits for no man and Jermain's time as a top-flight 160 pounder has long pasted him bye. It may not be pretty but I see King Soliman getting the job done at the end of the night.
My official prediction is Sam Soliman by Majority Decision.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
YouTube Channel ?The Rope A Dope Report? Subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/user/kg21carlito
Visit http://ropeadoperadio.wordpress.com/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026