Team Taylor was told that HBO was not happy by their choice of potential opponents for the Feb. 19 date, and I have been told that HBO told Dibella that they wanted Taylor to face Kingsley Ikeke on the Hopkins-Eastman undercard, but once again Team Taylor has declined to fight Ikeke and is instead possibly going with Troy Rowland or Daniel Eduard (sp?)
Daniel is an action fighter, but has never done much, but I do enjoy watching him fight. He has a couple of controversial decisions on his record as well.
Rowland recently beat Mendoza. Epifiano is another fighter that refused to face Kingsley on numerous occassions, but took the fight against Rowland and lost after he could not knock him out in the first few rounds.
This is the third time Ikeke has been offered by a network to face Taylor and all three times he has refused the fight. It was pointed out that why does Dibella call out Trinidad and Hopkins, yet they will not even face Ikeke.
This is becoming ridiculous as Taylor continues to face below average competition or faded fighters.
Ikeke is now looking for a new opponent for Feb. 19. They wanted David Lopez, but he got knocked out, so now they are trying to find another fight. But mark my words, if Eastman pulls out of the Hopkins fight do not be surprised to see Ikeke standing across the ring from Bernard that night.