Jermain Taylor has withdrawn from Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic citing health concerns, according to a press release sent out by his publicist on Tuesday.

The former middleweight champ had lost his last two bouts by 12th-round knockouts, and many in the sport — including his promoter Lou DiBella — worried about his continuation in the 168-pound round robin tournament.

Taylor (28-4-1, 17KO's) last fought on October 17th, losing by final-round stoppage to Arthur Abraham in Berlin, Germany, part of Group Stage 1 of the Super Six. Prior to the Abraham fight, he was stopped in the 12th round by Carl Froch, one of the participants of the Super Six and a potential future foe for Taylor in the tournament.

Had Taylor remained in the tournament, the 31-year-old veteran would have had to face undefeated 25-year-old titleholder Andre Ward in April.

The Arkansas native, who has lost four of his last five bouts (three by KO), admits that his body needs a break from the sport.

“I'm going to take some time off from the sport of boxing and take myself out of Showtime Sports World Boxing Classic tournament,” Taylor said. “It's important that I give my body and mind some much needed rest because I have been boxing for nearly 20 years.

“I plan on keeping myself in shape and making a return to the sport sometime in the future. This was not an easy decision for me, having discussed it with my family, trainer, friends and my adviser Al Haymon, because I'm a very competitive person. But I know this is the smart road for me to take.

“I want to thank Showtime Sports for everything and I wish the best for my five counterparts who will continue on in the Super Six tournament. Most of all, I want to thank the many fans for their continued support.”

It is not known who will replace Taylor in the tournament, but most insiders suspect a likely candidate could be the winner of the Showtime-televised Allan Green-Sakio Bika fight, which will take place on February 5.