Sam Soliman vs. Jermain Taylor: Winner, Scorecard and Analysis

Jermain Taylor is your new IBF middleweight champion, but he was almost overshadowed Wednesday night by the condition of his opponent, Sam Soliman.

Taylor won in blowout fashion at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, but the fight didn't turn his way until Soliman suffered an obvious leg injury in the middle rounds. Soliman had a difficult time maintaining his balance throughout the rest of the bout, but he did not give up his title without an impressive fight.

Dan Rafael of ESPN gave fans a look at the scorecard:

The fact that this fight even occurred is somewhat unbelievable, let alone the realization that Taylor reclaimed the title that was once his. Taylor lost the middleweight world championship by knockout to Kelly Pavlik nearly seven years ago and then suffered brain bleeding in another knockout loss to Arthur Abraham.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Many thought Taylor’s career was over, but he took two years off from boxing and racked together a solid four-fight winning streak coming into Wednesday’s bout.

His trainer, Pat Burns, discussed the journey to Wednesday, via Dan Rafael of ESPN.com:

"

We always wanted to get another opportunity. They don't come around too often. We have a second chance and it's a blessing. He's fortunate to have this opportunity. I know there are some who say Jermain shouldn't get this opportunity and some that say Sam Soliman shouldn't be fighting Jermain, but I don't worry about the critics.

I put them aside and let's go ahead and see how it comes out. I think we'll win the fight. I know Jermain will work hard. We will be prepared and let the cards fall where they may.

"

Taylor may have been prepared, but the Australian Soliman was the one who tried to win over the pro-American crowd as he walked to the ring, via Brian Campbell of ESPN.com:

Soliman came out and tried to set the tone with his typical style. Justin Acri, host of The Zone in Little Rock, described why that presented a problem for Taylor:

Both fighters felt each other out early, and there was more dancing around and grabbing than actual jabs or punches thrown. The commentators discussed how important it was for Taylor to avoid the frustration that often comes in fights against the awkward Soliman.

Soliman finally got something going in the third round, as Boxingwood pointed out:

The initial rounds were somewhat ugly, as neither boxer really took control. Campbell suggested that Soliman may need a different strategy moving forward in the fight:

CompuBox pointed out a problematic stat for Taylor through four rounds, especially considering the fact that Soliman picked up a bit of momentum in Round 5 with an impressive three-punch combination:

The momentum started to turn in the sixth round for Taylor after he turned in his best round of the night. Acri suggested that it was impacting Soliman:

That momentum carried right over into what felt like a decisive seventh round. Taylor not only dominated the proceedings, he knocked Soliman to the ground with an impressive jab. Rafael, FightNights.com and Douglass Fischer of RingTV.com described the action:

Taylor enforced his will in the eighth round with a number of combinations and jabs. Soliman was actually having difficulty standing up throughout the round because of an apparent leg injury and the overall power of Taylor's punches.

Fightnews.com highlighted the issue:

It was clear to anyone watching that it appeared as if Soliman was at the end of the road heading into Round 9. Taylor made that perfectly clear with yet another knockdown in the ninth round, and the announcers compared it to target practice for the eventual winner.

Boxingwood said what many watching the fight were likely thinking:

CompuBox pointed out why it was such an unfortunate development for Soliman:

The focus completely turned to Soliman's injured leg, which was also somewhat unfortunate for Taylor because it overshadowed his victory. Regardless of how it came about, Taylor won the IBF middleweight title and certainly deserved credit for it considering the physical issues he overcame after a string of knockout losses.

Rafael noted that Taylor's consistency was still there, despite the Soliman injury:

It was simply a tale of desperation for Soliman heading into the 12th and final round. Not only was he hampered by obvious pain, but the only realistic chance he had at winning the fight was a miracle knockout. He came out aggressive, as was to be expected, but it was to no avail. 

Taylor had a commanding lead and all the momentum on his side.

Still, Boxingwood gave Soliman some much-deserved props:

That miracle knockout did not come for Soliman, and Taylor was named the new IBF middleweight champion.

Taylor now has the momentum that comes with winning a title, and it is only natural to wonder if it can carry over to future fights. He is 36 years old, so he may not have a prolonged fighting career ahead of him, but he was impressive on Wednesday night and has re-established himself as a champion.

Fightnews.com gave fans a glimpse at what will likely be Taylor's next fight:

If he comes out with the aggressiveness and confidence befitting a champion, Taylor could stay on top during that fight and for the immediate future.