Jermain Taylor says he is in the shape of his life for his middleweight title defence against the dangerous Kelly Pavlik.
Champ says bore wars have made him better
Jermain Taylor v Kelly Pavlik
2.30am, Sunday, Sky Sports 2
Jermain Taylor is out to put his recent horror shows behind him when he takes on Kelly Pavlik.
The undisputed middleweight champion came in for widespread criticism following uninspiring points wins over Cory Spinks and Kassim Ouma in his last two fights.
It took his barren stretch to five fights without a stoppage, his last KO coming in February 2005 before he beat Bernard Hopkins to become world champion.
But the man who calls himself Bad Intentions believes he is now a better fighter - even if the American public remain unconvinced - and will prove it against the dangerous undefeated Pavlik.
"As far as the media is concerned, write what you want to write," he told a pre-fight press conference. "They say 'He hasn't looked good the last couple of fights,' but I'm in the best shape of my life."
"I learned a lot in those fights. I know it didn't look like it but those were horrid looking fights. Fighting southpaws has helped me see punches coming a lot better.
"So when you write about me, write want what you want but say 'He's undefeated.' Don't say he looked sloppy in his last fight and leave it at that, because no matter what you say, I am undefeated.
"I've never lost and it's going to take someone bad to beat me. Kelly's not that. I'm ready to fight and I'm going to beat him down."
Pavlik himself realises that the champion might well have a point to prove.
But after seven years and 31 fights as a pro, compared to Taylor's 27, he is not about to let the opportunity pass him by.
He has won two elimination fights this year, the second a sensational seven-round stoppage of Edison Miranda, and says if Taylor finally wants to come out of his shell, he'll happily meet him head-on.
"I'm prepared for the best Jermain Taylor," he said.
"He's had his critics and I think he's got something to prove. But I'm excited, I'm ready and I'm fully prepared. I'm coming to fight.
"It's been seven years I've been waiting for this opportunity, and it seems to me you can't ask for a better chance either, against a top-notch fighter."
