![]() ![]() These hypothetical ponderings are precisely what Wright should be thankful for, a sign of vulnerability that could produce future rewards. Soliman made the fight close on two of the three judges’ scorecards, a feat rather unexpected, a conclusion that begs the question of how a man with similar style and stamina, but better pop – say, Kassim Ouma – would fare against Wright. Unlike junior lightweight Robbie Peden, an Aussie who, in September, froze under the headlights and settled into sparring partner mode against Marco Antonio Barrera, Soliman would attempt to seize the opportunity, launching over one hundred punches per round, an unceasing buzzsaw whirring around the ring, firing at all angles like a larger, pillow-fisted Naseem Hamed. Since beginning his career with an unimpressive 12-7 streak, Soliman had rattled off nineteen straight victories in the span of four years, wins that, despite coming against largely anonymous opposition, earned him an appearance on a televised main event in America, against a highly-regarded challenger, through whom a possible title shot awaited as a reward. So on the tenth of December, the same day that fellow middleweights Kingsley Ikeke and Arthur Abraham would meet for Taylor’s vacated IBF belt, Wright was scheduled to face off against Soliman in what was generally perceived to be a mismatch, a televised keep-busy fight necessary for Winky to amass leverage via mandatory rankings, as well as to keep off ring rust while awaiting a shot at Taylor, the man recognized as the middleweight champion.Įnter Soliman, a man who, like Wright, is a boxer with baggage, a pugilist who has been forced to find paydays in eight countries, on four continents. Taylor would win both, gaining paydays, titles, momentum and a fan base. ![]() Despite headlining the top-selling pay-per-view of 2006, it was back to being avoided, back to the sidelines and the periphery as Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor spent twenty-four rounds on two other, quite successful PPV shows. ![]() Winky was perceived as too good, a high-risk, low-reward proposition, just like during his lengthy stay at junior middleweight, years when so-called champions chose cashing checks over conquering challenges. It was a magnificent showing, the kind of displaying of talent against a high-quality foe that pay-per-views should be limited to, a great night on a grand stage, a unique event that unfortunately led to more of the same for the veteran Wright. When Wright made his middleweight debut in May against Trinidad, he was too effective, shutting out the former three-division champion, punishing him with a stiff jab, strong left crosses and hard hooks, wiping out the Puerto Rican and sending him, tail between his legs, back into retirement. ![]()
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