Taylor will not retain Steward

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Middleweight Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) will not retain Emanuel Steward as his trainer for his rematch against Youngstown’s Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) on Feb. 16 in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Monday.

Taylor, who lost his titles when he was knocked out by Pavlik in September, was unimpressive in his four bouts with Steward, winning lackluster decisions against Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks and earning a controversial draw with Winky Wright.

Taylor did not name a replacement.