After three arrests in less than a year stalled Jermain Taylor's boxing career, the former middleweight champion is "ready to fight today," his trainer said Tuesday.
Taylor's trainer, Pat Burns, spoke after Taylor pleaded guilty in three criminal cases Tuesday in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Burns said he would immediately begin making phone calls to schedule a fight.
As part of continuing court restrictions related to the cases, Taylor must remain under the supervision of his training team in Ocala, Fla. But Judge Leon Johnson did agree to allow Taylor to leave the state for a fight as long as he notifies the court and his bondsman.
Outside the courtroom, Burns had harsh words for his fighter, calling Taylor's actions "asinine." He said he believed Taylor was well-served by six months spent in jail earlier this year and more time away from his family in Arkansas.
Taylor "would have to be foolish to fall back into an old pattern" of poor associations with others that led to trouble, Burns said.
Burns also wasted no time attempting to hype any potential bouts.
Referring to a Nov. 21 fight in which Saul "Canelo" Alvarez beat Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision, Burns said Taylor "could have fought both those guys in the same night."
Taylor, 33-4-1, is down 25 pounds to 169 pounds, according to Burns, who said the boxer is training with three-a-day workouts. Taylor fights in the 160-pound middleweight class.
Taylor's last fight was a victory against Sam Soliman on Oct. 10, 2014 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.