As reported earlier, Jermain Taylor has decided to drop out of the Super Six World Boxing Classic, which leaves an opening in the tournament. That opening will be filled by the winner of the February 5 fight between Sakio Bika and Allan Green, and promoter Lou DiBella tells BoxingScene.com that the winner will face Andre Ward on April 17, the original date scheduled for Ward-Taylor.
It would be a quick turnaround, and if the winner winds up taking any real punishment, there's still a decent chance the fight gets delayed. But for now, the plan appears to remain intact for April 17 with Andre Ward fighting.
Rick Reeno of Boxing Scene also reports that there are rumors abound that Taylor and adviser Al Haymon bluffed their willingness to continue in the tournament in order to receive a buyout from Showtime, getting Taylor out of a tournament no one feels he had any chance of winning. It's all speculation, but it doesn't sound too "out there" really. If Taylor did get a buyout from Showtime, good for him. And frankly, I'd also say good for Showtime ponying up to preserve the integrity of the tournament. There was really nothing good that came of Taylor continuing on.