Meldrick Taylor's Career & Potential

[Thread Stealer]

People often say Taylor could've been an ATG if not for the beating he took against Chavez but I really don't see it. I always see a short stay at the top of the sport for him.

I'm going with the assumption that the claims of his weight problems at 140 were legit. It's definitely not hard to envision him having problems making 140 with his stocky frame. He did make it later in 1994, but I think that was partially because he was simply desperate for a big fight and a chance at personal revenge with Chavez.

If he gets the win over Chavez, or never fights him at all, how much different does his career go? He goes to welterweight, wins the WBA title against Aaron Davis in 1991, but look at the talent level around him. Stable-mate Pernell Whitaker goes to WW a couple years later. Cristano Espana would've always been a touch matchup for Taylor IMO due to his style and dimensions (or Taylor's lackthereof). Ike Quartey and Felix Trinidad rose to the top of the WW scene in 1993/94. Simon Brown would've been a real dangerous opponent for Taylor with his power.

Taylor might've lasted a little longer at the top of the sport since there's less damage to the body, but with his style and the talent around him, I can't see his career going that much different in terms of his stay at the top.

[Obama]

Sad to even bring a guy like Taylor into the discussion of ATGs. He's not even one of the 10 best fighters out of Philadelphia.

Anyways he makes the HOF if he skips the Chavez beating...

[mhager91490]

Assuming he steps in the ring with the guys you listed and he misses Chavez altogether then it wouldn't of gone much different. I don't see him getting past Brown, Espana would of been a goo fight but I think he could of outscored him if he didn't get caught on the end of his long punches. He has a chance to beat Quartey though I wouldn't bet on him and I don't see him getting past Trinidad. The division was just too tough at the time for him too last long and I don't think he would ever the top dog of the division. For all of his exceptional qualities his deficencies leveled him out and against talented, bigger men.

[CarlosG815]

Yes, Taylor was an incredible talent and had it not been for that fight I believe he could have been an ATG. The toll that defeat took on him mentally destroyed him.

He's one of my favorite fighters and we could have seen some spectacular fights from him had he not been robbed of his victory over a prime Chavez.

Taylor was awesome and to say he couldn't beat guys like Tito is kind of assuming something you have no way of knowing. How many guys like Taylor did Tito fight? I will say this. Tito could not have put up the performance against a prime Chavez that Meldrick did.

[fdotorres]

Yes, Taylor was an incredible talent and had it not been for that fight I believe he could have been an ATG. The toll that defeat took on him mentally destroyed him.

He's one of my favorite fighters and we could have seen some spectacular fights from him had he not been robbed of his victory over a prime Chavez.

Taylor was awesome and to say he couldn't beat guys like Tito is kind of assuming something you have no way of knowing. How many guys like Taylor did Tito fight? I will say this. Tito could not have put up the performance against a prime Chavez that Meldrick did.

why did he get robbed? he was out on his fit and in no condition to go on

if you're done with just 5 seconds left, you're still gone and the fight should get stopped. that's how it is

[CarlosG815]

why did he get robbed? he was out on his fit and in no condition to go on

if you're done with just 5 seconds left, you're still gone and the fight should get stopped. that's how it is

He had the fight in the bag. Had the ref not called it, by the time he was finished making sure Meldrick could continue, there would have been 3 seconds for him to just move or clinch and get the victory he earned.

No fighter should lose a fight in the last 3 seconds when they've won 35 minutes of war.

And BTW, that's not how it is. Show me another instance where such a crucial fight was stopped with such little amount of time left.

[mhager91490]

why did he get robbed? he was out on his fit and in no condition to go on

if you're done with just 5 seconds left, you're still gone and the fight should get stopped. that's how it is

I'm a strong believer in letting the fighter finish the fight, not the ref. Taylor was up and talking to the ref, it was a bad call in my eyes.

[BOLLOCKS]

Taylor should have won that fight.

[JAB5239]

He had the fight in the bag. Had the ref not called it, by the time he was finished making sure Meldrick could continue, there would have been 3 seconds for him to just move or clinch and get the victory he earned.

No fighter should lose a fight in the last 3 seconds when they've won 35 minutes of war.

And BTW, that's not how it is. Show me another instance where such a crucial fight was stopped with such little amount of time left.

He didn't have the fight in the bag and no fighter, I repeat, NO FIGHTER should be granted an exemption on the time clock because of the work they put in previously. Had he answered Steele's questions he would have won. He didn't. If Steele had let that fight go on he would have robbed Chavez who pulled victory out of the clutches of defeat.

Your other instance, off the top of my head, LaMotta stopping Dauthille with only 15 seconds left.

Refs shouldn't take the clock into consideration, only the fighters responses. I was rooting forv Taylor, but it was the right call.

[bojangles1987]

why did he get robbed? he was out on his fit and in no condition to go on

if you're done with just 5 seconds left, you're still gone and the fight should get stopped. that's how it is

I know I didn't like it, Taylor got up and had the ref let it go Chavez wouldn't have been able to land another punch before the bell rang. Taylor was clearly winning and I felt he got screwed.