The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local Sports

Discussion

January 21, 2010

Taylor returns to ring tonight

BY ERIC KN0PSNYDER

JOHNSTOWN — When Andres “Taylor Made” Taylor steps back into the ring tonight in Pittsburgh he will be linked to one of the biggest names in boxing history.

The Johnstown native will fight William “The Storm” Bailey in a card being promoted by eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr.

The card, which begins at

7 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel, has co-main events. Taylor shares top billing with Rayco “War” Saunders.

Taylor, who was a late addition to the card, said that Jones Jr. personally made sure that Taylor was involved.

“I was supposed to be on the card two months ago, but politics played into it,” Taylor said.

“Roy Jones Jr. found out I wasn’t and said ‘put Andres on the card.’ ”

Having that kind of support from Jones Jr. was a big step for Taylor, who is the World Boxing Federation’s All-Americas cruiserweight champion.

“The biggest name in the sport – he’s a legend, a hall of famer – to want you is special,” Taylor said. “I’m blessed with that.”

Taylor (11-1-1, 6 KOs) won’t put his title on the line tonight against Bailey (10-18-2, 5 KOs), but Taylor knows that any time he steps into the ring it’s an important fight.

“He’s a journeyman,” Taylor said of Bailey. “He’s been around. People look at journeymen (negatively), but those are the guys you’ve got to watch out for. They’ve got nothing to lose.

“He’s been around the game for years. All his losses ain’t to bums. You never know which guy’s coming – the William Bailey that lost those (18) fights or the one that won those (10) fights. Those guys make the sport. Guys like me have to go out there and work, and they help us move up to the next level.”

Bailey, who fights out of Chesapeake, Va., has lost his past two fights and four out of his past five.

This will be Taylor’s first pro fight in Pittsburgh, and he’s excited to showcase his skills in a big metropolitan area.

“It’s great to be fighting in a city,” he said. “We’re bringing out like 100 fans. They’re going to convert another 1,000 fans in Pittsburgh into Taylor Made fans.”

Taylor, who last fought on Oct. 31 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, is ready to get back into the ring.

“Training’s going real well,” he said. “My last few sparring sessions have been great. Looking like a new fighter. I’ve been with Tommy Yankello only eight months now. It’s tough to put in a new system. The last few fights I haven’t felt confident and sure. But now, my last few sparring sessions, I’ve felt really great.”

Taylor is scheduled to fight again on Feb. 20 as part of a boxing/mixed martial arts card in Altoona.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local Sports
AP Video
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Poll

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Yes, I support his proposed budget.
No, I don't support his proposed budget.
I don't know anything about it.
     View Results
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com