Pavlik fought really good, but so did Taylor. This was a brand new Taylor, new and improved, and I think if he does with how he fought that night he'll reclaim alot of fame and fans that abandoned him after a few losses and a draw on Winky.
While I don't like that Pavlik won and I respect the fact he possibly should have won. I feel that Jones controlled most of the fight unti about Round 7, then it was about evenly matched up. Pavlik definitely took control rounds 11 and 12, but 11 wasn't near the "beat down" as people were calling it. I recall Taylor countering, landing a few hits, and a combo. It was scored for Pavlik for a single blow which even through it Taylor came back swinging.
I'm not too upset about Taylor losing, because seeing him fight really rekindled spirit and showed he certainly isn't washed up. He's not going to step out of the game because he's tiring by the 11th round. Anyone would be tired in the 11th if they had to go toe-to-toe with Pavlik. The way professional boxing works when a fighter like Pavlik is an up-and-comer they really want him to win to set up more big money matches. Taylor pretty much had to KO that fight and I think he knew it especially after he got cheated in the scoring. It's kind of lame.
The only bad part of this incredible fight was the scoring. There's plenty of conspiracy theories as to why Pavlik won and how it was scored the way it was, but I've got to say 117-111 Pavlik is absolutely insane. 116-112 Pavlik is also a bit crazy. This fight was much closer than this. Regardless it was an excellent fight and its good to see an excellent boxer like Pavlik move on to greater things, however Taylor certainly isn't stepping out.
