Taylor: Opponent will need vice-grips to pry away cruiserweight title

Sports

Discussion

June 9, 2010

Mike Mastovich mmastovich@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Wed Jun 09, 2010, 11:57 PM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown’s Andres Taylor is confident he has the tools to successfully defend his World Boxing Foundation All Americas cruiserweight title tonight at the Pasquerilla Conference Center.

Taylor suggested that his opponent, Julius Fogal of Cary, N.C., enter the ring for the eight-round main event with some tools of his own.

“You better bring some vice-grips,” Taylor quipped after it was suggested that Fogal intended to rip the title belt away from Taylor’s waist in front of his hometown fans.

“I didn’t come out here planning to go back without the belt,” Fogal said early in a news conference that doubled as a weigh-in Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn. “I didn’t come here just for an airplane flight.”

Fogal is 15-4 with 10 knockouts.

Taylor, 14-1-1 with six knockouts, made a point to respond after Fogal predicted he would be “walking out of the ring with my hands raised.”

“This fight is going to end badly, and it’s not going to end badly for me,” said Taylor, who won his most recent bout less than three weeks ago in Monroeville.

“This guy says he’s going to come in and take my belt and he’s not leaving without my belt. He’s going to have to take that over my dead body. There’s no way I’m giving this belt up. I wear this thing to sleep. He’s got to come rip it off me.”

Another belt was a topic of interest on Wednesday.

Should Taylor successfully defend his title tonight, he would be poised to take a significant step.

“I will be eligible for the vacant WBF world title, so this is a big one for me,” Taylor said.

Fogal weighed in at 189 pounds, which was 4 pounds lighter than Taylor.

“They threw me for a little twist in the contract. They wanted me to make 192 (pounds),” Taylor said. “That was a week ago. I was 200 pounds. I had to drop 8 pounds in a week. That’s why I’ve got a little edge to me. I haven’t been eating. I only have a pound left and I’ll drop that by (today).”

This card is being touted as a “TaylorMade War,” with Taylor’s power matched against Fogal’s quickness.

“I don’t think he will be able to handle my speed and experience,” Fogal said.

“I’ve fought a lot of heavyweights. I know he’s a little bigger. But I’ve dealt with bigger guys before. I’m just going to utilize my game plan to be successful. He’s going to utilize his.”

That’s Taylor’s plan.

“He’s got speed and speed is a good trait to have, but I have speed too,” Taylor said. “I’m going to stay to my game, use my jab, bob and weave, move from side to side. Once he feels the power I don’t think he’s going to want to engage. I’ll chase him down and put him out.”

The card will include five fights, with a co-main event featuring light heavyweight Rayco “War” Saunders (19-12-1, eight knockouts) of Pittsburgh and Manu Ntoh (17-19) of Atlanta, Ga. Other fights pair: cruiserweight Venroy July (4-0-1) of Suitland, Md., against Deleon Tinsley (9-7) of Orlando, Fla.; light heavyweight Damar Singleton (2-0) of Toledo against Robert Campbell (4-3) of Orlando, Fla.; and Pittsburgh’s Morgan Fitch (pro debut) against light heavyweight Damion Reed (0-1).

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Sports

Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Stressing his ties to the organization and his reverence for its tradition, Todd Haley was officially introduced today as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Winter Classic matchup set: Red Wings and Maple Leafs to play at Big House
Next year’s Winter Classic could set an attendance record.

February 9, 2012
UVA murder case: Officer describes beaten, bruised lacrosse player
The first officer to arrive at the apartment of a slain University of Virginia lacrosse player says he thought he was responding to an alcohol overdose but quickly discovered the woman had been bruised and bloodied.

February 9, 2012
Cabrera-Bello shoots 63 in Dubai; McIlroy 3 back
Rafael Cabrera-Bello made nine birdies in his first 11 holes to finish at 9-under 63 today for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

February 9, 2012
Ex-Steeler Holmes staying with Jets
A clause in receiver Santonio Holmes’ five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets, signed last offseason, kicked in Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
South Florida rebounds with win over Pitt
South Florida’s Hugh Robertson combined a perfect night offensively with a stellar defensive performance that helped the Bulls rebound from their worst-ever Big East loss.
Robertson had a season-high 18 points and helped USF
(14-10, 7-4) hold Pittsburgh star Ashton Gibbs to a season-low four points in a 63-51 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night. Augustus Gilchrist added 10 points for the Bulls, who lost by 30 points at Georgetown last weekend.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
High School Basketball in Brief
February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Local sports in brief 2-9-2012
February 8, 2012
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

February 8, 2012
More Sports Headlines

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Video: Young bear, wolf play together

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Taylor: Opponent will need vice-grips to pry away cruiserweight title

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Contact Us