IBF Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor is used to three judges sitting ringside, waiting to hear how they scored the match. Now, however, he must sit in front of a different kind of judge, as well as prosecutors, and wait for a verdict. The boxing great is headed towards a murder trial, where he could face some major prison time.
According to TMZ, he stands accused of shooting his own cousin in his Arkansas mansion. He is now trying to sell the home for 1.2 million dollars. It looks like he is going to need the money for legal representation during an upcoming trail that could result in the boxer spending 26 years in prison:
"Taylor's wife called 911 immediately following the August 26th shooting...Jermain can be heard on tape admitting he shot a man. He...warns police, 'Better come get him before I kill him'...At the time, Taylor claimed the man was an intruder and he was protecting his property -- but prosecutors are calling BS...telling us they're not buying Taylor's self-defense story. Now, he's been charged with battery and making terrorist threats -- both felonies. If convicted on both counts, he could face a maximum of 26 years in prison. As for the victim, we're told he survived the shooting."
Apparently, Taylor is not afraid of getting bloody and violent in or out of the ring. Jermain's career has not been one to sneeze at:
"Taylor... defeated Sam Soliman by unanimous decision on Oct. 8 in Biloxi, Miss., to win the IBF middleweight belt. [Also] he lost the WBC and WBO middleweight belts to Kelly Pavlik in the first loss of a professional career that began in 2001."
Unfortunately, it looks like the current champ is not going to be adding to his list of achievements any time soon. In fact, his days as a free man might be over as well.
What do you think? Is Taylor guilty? Or, has the pro lost his place in the sport of boxing? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
