Taylor vs Nicklow; Dirrell vs Cunningham Dec 30

[Londonerryan]

By Francisco Salazar
Photo: Fightwireimages.com

Former unified middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor will fight Jessie Nicklow on December 30th at the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, CA, Lou DiBella confirmed to Fightnews.com on Sunday evening. It will be the first time Taylor will step inside the ring since his 12th round knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in October of 2009. The card, which will headline a “ShoBox: The New Generation” card was originally scheduled for the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, AR, Taylor’s hometown. However, the fight card was moved to the Southern California desert and it is one day before the double world title bouts that will take place in Anaheim, CA, about an hour an half drive to the west of the Morongo Casino.

After the loss to Abraham, Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KO’s) was diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms, even suffering from some memory loss. Because of the injuries he had suffered in the fight and previous fights as well, Taylor decided to pull out of the World Boxing Classic super middleweight tournament. Taylor also stepped away from the sport to recuperate and rest. In September, Taylor passed neurological tests by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, who also approved his boxing license.

He will face Nicklow (22-2-3, 8 KO’s) of Baltimore, MD, who is unbeaten in his last four bouts since his fourth round stoppage defeat to then-unbeaten Fernando Guerrero. Taylor-Nicklow is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Also scheduled to make his return on the Morongo card is super middleweight Andre Dirrell, who will take on Darryl Cunningham in a 10 round bout.

Dirrell (19-1, 13 KO’s) has not fought since his 11th round victory over Abraham in March of 2010. Abraham was disqualified for fouling Dirrell when Dirrell slipped on the canvas, falling to a knee, and Abraham landing a punch that deemed the Flint, MI native unable to continue.

Ironically, Dirrell also backed out of the tournament because of eye and neurological issues sustained in the fight with Abraham.

Cunningham (24-2, 10 KO’s) from Detroit, MI has won his last 17 bouts in a row since his close decision loss to Kevin Engel, a span of about four years.

Both fights will be televised on SHOWTIME.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/jermain-taylor-andre-dirrell-comeback-fights-land-at-the-morongo-casino-in-cabazon-calif-102933

[Londonerryan]

Jessie Nicklow is a good comeback fight for Taylor. I just wonder if he should even be fighting. Maybe 160lbs will be better for Taylor but he got KO'd badly in several fights. I don't know who he can beat at middleweight on the elite scene. Can he beat Sturm, Martinez, Golovkin, Pirog, Chavez etc? I don't think he can.

I'm looking forward to Dirrell's return more. I think his brother Anthony will gather more fans throughout his career though. He looks like the more fan-friendly fighter.

[davemurphy]

I agree. Nicklow has ZERO power, and even a rusty Jermain Taylor should outbox him easily. I think he's in for an easy time of it, which is unfortunate since I still think he's a ticking timebomb and at risk the first SERIOUS puncher he faces.

Dirrell's the REAL question on this Card, the people I've talked to that have seen Darryl Cunningham are telling me that he's NO JOKE, although his record is loaded with faded names, and I also see that it includes a early career loss to St.Louis journeyman Kevin Engle, who's undefeated record started to get dotted with L's when he moved up (his most recent loss being to Dirrell's Brother Anthony by KO 2 in July). If Cunningham lost to Engle, even four years ago, then I wonder about the scouting reports I'm getting.