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 Pavlik Who? Joe Who? Forget It:
Taylor Camp Talking With "Tito"

Written By William Trillo


With his close split decision victory over Cory Spinks barely 2 days old Pound4Pound.com has learned that Jermain Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella is taking aim at retired Puerto Rican great Felix Trinidad, a potential megabucks match up.

While most people believe Edison Miranda conqueror, Kelly Pavlik, who totally overshadowed Taylor in his "fight" with Cory Spinks, and is his WBC mandatory, will be next in line, think again. Same goes for the Joe Calzaghe people. 

After his victory Saturday night, Taylor was pressured by HBO commentator Larry Merchant on whether he would take on the unbeaten knockout artist Kelly Pavlik next. Taylor at first said yes, but then qualified it with the new Taylor Mantra, that who ever brought the most money to the table would be his next opponent.

If Tito, who is already in talks with DiBella, agrees to make a comeback, there is no question with his huge fan base and great Latino following, would be the most bang for the buck. And make no mistake about it, HBO would love to see it. Pavlik is still largely unknown, and Calzaghe, is perceived as a Brit fighter who has yet to establish a fan base in America. Calzaghe could produce good money if Taylor would fight in England or Scotland, but why should Taylor have to travel when he could put up huge PPV numbers in the U.S. with Trinidad.

Taylor with Calzaghe or Pavlik would be on HBO's World Championship Boxing. Tito as an opponent would be PPV, and produce at least double or not triple the revenue for Taylor, which apparently all Taylor cares about now.

As for the WBC, which has mandated Pavlik as his next opponent, bear in mind that Tito's promoter is Don King, who has a separate pocket in all of his suits to keep WBC president Jose Sulaiman happy.

Many people believe Taylor has lost his interest in boxing, and is strictly in it for the money now. Money is what Tito brings to the table, and Taylor's people are clearing saying, "Show Me The Money!"

Tito has been called out for a comeback fight with Oscar De La Hoya many times, but the Golden Boy never made a dollar commitment or agreed to fight at the 160 pound class Trinidad demands.

Rough estimates of a PPV with Taylor and Tito would be a minimum of 500,000 buys at $49.95, roughly $25 million. Tito would generate the engine of the sales. Latino fans make up 40 pct. of the market place. Taylor has a scant following after so many boring fights with Hopkins, Wright, Ouma and Spinks.

But like Floyd Mayweather when he faced Oscar, huge numbers of people would buy just for the pleasure of seeing Taylor get his butt kicked, and the great Tito return in triumph.
Stay tuned for more on this breaking development.

May, 21. 2007 5:45PM PST  


Questions Or Comments? Email Will "The Thrill" Trillo