Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor: Fighter Makes a Great Choice and Quits Boxing

Former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor formally withdrew from the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Tuesday due to concerns regarding his health.

“I’m going to take some time off from the sport of boxing,” said Taylor, 31, who lost four of his last five fights, including three by way of violent knockout.

“It’s important that I give my body and mind some much-needed rest, because I have been boxing for nearly 20 years. I plan on keeping myself in shape and making a return to the sport sometime in the future.”

Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KOs), the winner of the Bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, rose to fame when he defeated the legendary Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1-1, 32 KOs) by split decision to capture the middleweight crown in July 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

However, Taylor’s stock as a prizefighter badly plummeted two years later when lost his title to Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32 KOs) via a brutal seventh round TKO at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Taylor, who was voted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, never recovered from his loss to Pavlik and his performances in the ring continued to steadily decline thereafter.

Taylor hit his nadir as a professional pugilist last October when he was savagely knocked-out in the 12^th round by Arthur Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs).

In the aftermath of Taylor’s second consecutive stoppage, promoter Lou DiBella honorably severed his partnership with his fighter because he was worried that “Bad Intentions” was placing his physical wellness in jeopardy.

“I know it must have been a difficult decision for Jermain, and I’m very happy for him and his family that he decided to give himself a much-needed break,” said DiBella, 49, a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School.

Mike Cappiello, a native of Brockton who once fought for the IBO super featherweight title and retired with an impressive mark of 33-6, agrees with DiBella.

“Health is more important that continuing to take chances on getting permanently injured,” said Cappiello, the owner of Cappiello Brothers Boxing gym in Brockton. “It can’t always be about the money.”

Cappiello suggested that Taylor should consider becoming a trainer for boxers.

“He (Taylor) could train up-and-coming fighters in order to stay in the game,” said Cappiello. “That is what I did because it was hard to retire.”

Prior to announcing his layoff, Taylor was scheduled to scrap WBA super middleweight champ Andre Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) on April 17.

Showtime revealed that they will find a replacement for Taylor in its round-robin tournament.

“This was not an easy decision for me, having to discuss it with my family, trainer, friends and my adviser Al Hayman,” Taylor admitted. “I wish the best for my five counterparts who will continue on in the Super Six tournament. Most of all, I want to thank the fans for their continued support.”

It is quite rare when a boxer realizes that it is time to walk away from the sport before it is too late.

The money, fame, competition and many other perks that prizefighter’s gain from stepping into the ring becomes addicting.

Taylor was a very solid boxer and hopefully he can find solace in the fact that his career was a legitimate success.

“Bad Intentions” made a tremendous decision for himself and those close to him this past week.

*Cappiello Brothers Boxing  gym is located on 162 Main Street in Brockton, Massachusetts (02301).

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