Friday Night Fights Quick Pick

Emanuel Taylor vs. Karim Mayfield: ESPN2's Friday Night Fights usually provides big time boxing fans with a good show and this week should be no different.  The main event of that card is a 10 round welterweight bout between two sluggers in Emanuel Taylor (17-2, 12 KO) and Karim Mayfield (18-1-1, 11 KO).  While neither fighters knockout numbers jump off the page they both put a lot behind their punches and throw heavy leather.  Both fighters are in similar places in their respective careers even though they are at vastly different places in their lives.  Taylor is only 23 years old and while he does have a nice win over Victor Cayo he lost his most recent fight to Chris Algieri.  As for Mayfield he is already 33 years old and while he does have a nice win over Mauricio Herrera he also lost his most recent fight to Thomas Dulorme and at his advanced age he can't afford many more losses.  Both pugilists also have a similar style in the ring.  Taylor is an aggressive puncher with slow feet.  Taylor has much improving to do and he needs to start with his footwork.  Often times in fights he will simply follow his opponent around the ring instead of cutting it off which makes fights more difficult for him than they need to be.  His defense could also use some work, he doesn't move his head much and instead just puts on the earmuffs and waits for his turn to punch.  On offense Taylor is a pleasure to watch, not because he is the most skilled but because he throws everything with bad intentions.  He is an orthodox fighter with a strong left hook and a big time right hand and he likes to put in a lot of work to the body.  Taylor also has a nice jab that he should use more often because when it lands clean it is almost like a power punch.  Taylor won't be the only one looking for the knockout however.  His opponent Mayfield goes by the nickname "Hard Hitta" and he does just that.  Mayfield is also an orthodox fighter and his defense also leaves much to be desired.  Mayfield isn't as aggressive as Taylor on offense and doesn't mind backing up at times.  One thing Mayfield lacks is a real good jab and he spends most of his time in the ring looking to setup his deadly overhand right.  This should be an exciting bout that sees both fighters standing and trading.  While Mayfield has the better chin it is Taylor who is better offensively so it should be an interesting fight.  I think that Taylor's stamina and superior jab will play a big role in this fight and allow him to beat Mayfield by the way of majority decision.