Chavez vs Taylor I...25 Years Later it is Still a Classic

[elmersalsa]

On March 17, 1990, two undefeated champions fought in a memorable match in Las Vegas, NV. The great Julio Cesar Chavez of Culiacan, Mexico, faced his nemesis IBF jr. Welter champ Meldrick Taylor of Philadelphia, PA. Taylor was a former Olympic gold medalist and undefeated young star at 23 years of age. Chavez was already a three-division world champion at 27 years of age. He had an unbelievable record of 68-0 at the time. Something unheard of back in those days. Taylor was 34-0-1.

It was a fantastic contest from start to finish at a terrific pace. It surprised me, even that Taylor the boxer, was slugging it out with a legend that punch so hard and accurate. He was beating the Mexican hero at his own game, man to man, outspeeding him with the faster hands. Was the strategy correct? According to His cornermen, Lou Duva and George Benton, it was yes. But, in return, Taylor was getting some terrific shots that had his nose, mouth and eye bleeding. Although Taylor was winning the fight, he looked like the loser compared to Chavez' face.

Chavez dropped Taylor with a terrific right hand with 15 seconds left. It was not a lucky punch. It was well set up against Taylor. Instead of box and use his bicycle at the last round, Meldrick ELECTED TO BRAWL, and that cost him. He was JUST 2 SECONDS FROM BEING AN ALL TIME GREAT.

Chavez had the greatest win of his career. It was his greatest moment. No doubt. It was also Taylor's defining fight, although he lost. After that fight, both fighters WERE NEVER THE SAME. Did the American referee, Richard Steele, con Meldrick Taylor? Did he robbed him from his finest hour? Or was Taylor a victim of Don King?


But what a fight it was. Probably the greatest fight of the last 25 years. It was definitely the Fight of the 90s decade

[yancey]

On March 17, 1990, two undefeated champions fought in a memorable match in Las Vegas, NV. The great Julio Cesar Chavez of Culiacan, Mexico, faced his nemesis IBF jr. Welter champ Meldrick Taylor of Philadelphia, PA. Taylor was a former Olympic gold medalist and undefeated young star at 23 years of age. Chavez was already a three-division world champion at 27 years of age. He had an unbelievable record of 68-0 at the time. Something unheard of back in those days. Taylor was 34-0-1.

It was a fantastic contest from start to finish at a terrific pace. It surprised me, even that Taylor the boxer, was slugging it out with a legend that punch so hard and accurate. He was beating the Mexican hero at his own game, man to man, outspeeding him with the faster hands. Was the strategy correct? According to His cornermen, Lou Duva and George Benton, it was yes. But, in return, Taylor was getting some terrific shots that had his nose, mouth and eye bleeding. Although Taylor was winning the fight, he looked like the loser compared to Chavez' face.

Chavez dropped Taylor with a terrific right hand with 15 seconds left. It was not a lucky punch. It was well set up against Taylor. Instead of box and use his bicycle at the last round, Meldrick ELECTED TO BRAWL, and that cost him. He was JUST 2 SECONDS FROM BEING AN ALL TIME GREAT.

Chavez had the greatest win of his career. It was his greatest moment. No doubt. It was also Taylor's defining fight, although he lost. After that fight, both fighters WERE NEVER THE SAME. Did the American referee, Richard Steele, con Meldrick Taylor? Did he robbed him from his finest hour? Or was Taylor a victim of Don King?


But what a fight it was. Probably the greatest fight of the last 25 years. It was definitely the Fight of the 90s decade

Taylor got robbed of his finest hour.

On the other hand, I've always felt the true championship distance should be 15 rounds. No way Taylor lasts 15 rounds that night.

[Noxy]

It was tough on Meldrick but I wouldn't say he got robbed, he's not the only one to have been stopped at the end of a round after all. Bear in mind Richard Steele had to act fast like a ref and he made a call based on how he assessed Meldrick's condition (and to be fair he was pretty bashed up).

Anyway, apart from that. What a fight it was, two top fighters with loads of heart and different styles. The action was top notch, Taylor was landing more shots and Julio was landing the harder ones. You didn't know what was going to happen. I was a big Taylor fan, I sort of held it against Chavez that he did Taylor over twice, even though he was only doing his job.

[palooka]

It was the beginning of the end for both boxers but I agree wholeheartedly, it was a brilliant fight and it has to be remembered; Taylor had the fastest hands in the sport. It was how physically hard both boxers were that surprised me, I knew Chavez would go and go like a clockwork soldier and he rarely showed distress even under heavy fire. Before the bout I thought Taylor was a spoiled boxer, preferred because of his Olympic Gold - this fight showed he was a double hard and ultra competitive man. For swathes of the bout Taylor beat Chavez inside, Chavez (at the time) would not submit. A classic bout and it's incredible it was 25 years ago.

[Counter-puncher]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

[Datsue]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

[BoxBuzz]

On March 17, 1990, two undefeated champions fought in a memorable match in Las Vegas, NV. The great Julio Cesar Chavez of Culiacan, Mexico, faced his nemesis IBF jr. Welter champ Meldrick Taylor of Philadelphia, PA. Taylor was a former Olympic gold medalist and undefeated young star at 23 years of age. Chavez was already a three-division world champion at 27 years of age. He had an unbelievable record of 68-0 at the time. Something unheard of back in those days. Taylor was 34-0-1.

It was a fantastic contest from start to finish at a terrific pace. It surprised me, even that Taylor the boxer, was slugging it out with a legend that punch so hard and accurate. He was beating the Mexican hero at his own game, man to man, outspeeding him with the faster hands. Was the strategy correct? According to His cornermen, Lou Duva and George Benton, it was yes. But, in return, Taylor was getting some terrific shots that had his nose, mouth and eye bleeding. Although Taylor was winning the fight, he looked like the loser compared to Chavez' face.

Chavez dropped Taylor with a terrific right hand with 15 seconds left. It was not a lucky punch. It was well set up against Taylor. Instead of box and use his bicycle at the last round, Meldrick ELECTED TO BRAWL, and that cost him. He was JUST 2 SECONDS FROM BEING AN ALL TIME GREAT.

Chavez had the greatest win of his career. It was his greatest moment. No doubt. It was also Taylor's defining fight, although he lost. After that fight, both fighters WERE NEVER THE SAME. Did the American referee, Richard Steele, con Meldrick Taylor? Did he robbed him from his finest hour? Or was Taylor a victim of Don King?


But what a fight it was. Probably the greatest fight of the last 25 years. It was definitely the Fight of the 90s decade

Taylor got robbed of his finest hour.

On the other hand, I've always felt the true championship distance should be 15 rounds. No way Taylor lasts 15 rounds that night.

Ditto. I'll have to reconsider my opinion

[witherspoon]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

Many may call me crazy, but I have high hopes that Mayweather v Pacquiao will make the cut.
I think that Mayweather has slowed enough on his feet that Paquiao will be able to pressure him for long periods of the fight and it just might be Floyd who will need to pull it out in the last 2 rounds. But I think he will
(sorry, I've been wanting to comment on this fight, but won't dare to express an opinion on cs)

I would add De La Hoya v Mayweather, Holmes v Norton.

[Datsue]

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

Many may call me crazy, but I have high hopes that Mayweather v Pacquiao will make the cut.
I think that Mayweather has slowed enough on his feet that Paquiao will be able to pressure him for long periods of the fight and it just might be Floyd who will need to pull it out in the last 2 rounds. But I think he will
(sorry, I've been wanting to comment on this fight, but won't dare to express an opinion on cs)

I would add De La Hoya v Mayweather, Holmes v Norton.

I concur with Holmes-Norton, great shout, but DLH-Mayweather???!? Honestly mate? I think I've watched that twice, fell asleep the second time...

[witherspoon]

I haven't watched it for a couple of years, and I know it ain't Pryor - Arguello.
But I thought that it was good enough that the combined greatness of the combatants made up for any lack of excitement. If I overrate this fight, it's because it's one of the few big fights between atg's that I got to see live.(and I would argue that it was probably really tense and exciting for everybody as it happened live, and I take the point that it doesn't live up to that on rewatching).

[Broomhall]

On March 17, 1990, two undefeated champions fought in a memorable match in Las Vegas, NV. The great Julio Cesar Chavez of Culiacan, Mexico, faced his nemesis IBF jr. Welter champ Meldrick Taylor of Philadelphia, PA. Taylor was a former Olympic gold medalist and undefeated young star at 23 years of age. Chavez was already a three-division world champion at 27 years of age. He had an unbelievable record of 68-0 at the time. Something unheard of back in those days. Taylor was 34-0-1.

It was a fantastic contest from start to finish at a terrific pace. It surprised me, even that Taylor the boxer, was slugging it out with a legend that punch so hard and accurate. He was beating the Mexican hero at his own game, man to man, outspeeding him with the faster hands. Was the strategy correct? According to His cornermen, Lou Duva and George Benton, it was yes. But, in return, Taylor was getting some terrific shots that had his nose, mouth and eye bleeding. Although Taylor was winning the fight, he looked like the loser compared to Chavez' face.

Chavez dropped Taylor with a terrific right hand with 15 seconds left. It was not a lucky punch. It was well set up against Taylor. Instead of box and use his bicycle at the last round, Meldrick ELECTED TO BRAWL, and that cost him. He was JUST 2 SECONDS FROM BEING AN ALL TIME GREAT.

Chavez had the greatest win of his career. It was his greatest moment. No doubt. It was also Taylor's defining fight, although he lost. After that fight, both fighters WERE NEVER THE SAME. Did the American referee, Richard Steele, con Meldrick Taylor? Did he robbed him from his finest hour? Or was Taylor a victim of Don King?


But what a fight it was. Probably the greatest fight of the last 25 years. It was definitely the Fight of the 90s decade

Taylor got robbed of his finest hour.

On the other hand, I've always felt the true championship distance should be 15 rounds. No way Taylor lasts 15 rounds that night.

Take issue with this. The championship distance is the championship distance that the sanctioning body sets and the two fighters prepare for. Both men trained for a 12 round fight. If they had fought a 15 round fight maybe lots of things would have been different including the preperation for the fight and pacing during it.

Many fights would have different results if they were a couple rounds shorter or a couple rounds longer.

Taylor was unlucky but being robbed implied Steele was crooked, and I dont see any real evidence during the entirety of this fight that was the case.

[Ambling Alp II]

He did not have Taylor's attention when he asked him if he was OK, (Taylor was distracted and looking at his corner) and then he stopped the fight.

Incompetence or crooked?

He stopped Tyson-Ruddock without looking at Ruddock to see if he was hurt.

Whenever this fight gets brought up, I always bring up the Tate-Olajide fight that Steele officiated. (As far as I know, I am the only one on the Forum who has seen this fight even though it was on national TV). Tate hurt Olajide several times during the fight and gave him a one-sided beating. The fight should have been stopped in the middle rounds, but Steele somehow let it go the entire 15 rounds. Taylor was not hurt nearly as badly or nearly as often as Olajide.

He seemed to pick and choose when he wanted to stop fights early.

It was a great fight and too bad that it ended like that.

[Counter-puncher]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

indeed, as i say a select list, those were pretty much the ones i had in mind.

close but no cigar, in terms of great fights involving a participant who wasn't quite great, or 2 great fighters involved in merely very good fights, would include:

McCallum - Toney 1
Bowe - Holyfield 1
De la Hoya - Mosley 1
Mosley - Cotto maybe?
(personal whim perhaps, but Nishioka-Veeraphol 3...)
Marquez - Diaz 1?

[meahdem]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

loads more, i'd like to throw in a couple or 3.
Israel Vazquez-Rafael Márquez 2
azumah nelson v fenech 1
barry mcguigan v steve cruz

[palooka]

Sanchez v Gomez was a class bout between 2 great fighters.

Holy field v Qawi?

[meahdem]

love these types of posts because it throws up loads of top fights i forgot about.

[Counter-puncher]

One of a select few, great fights between great fighters.

Still one of my favourite ever fights.

What else can we put on this list, truly great fighters in truly great fights?

Ali-Frazier I & III

Leonard-Hearns I

Barrera vs Morales I & III (I thought the second rocked, too, great fight that is imo)

Sanchez vs Nelson

Arguello vs Pryor I

JMM vs Pacquiao I, II & IV...

Um... Any more?

loads more, i'd like to throw in a couple or 3.
Israel Vazquez-Rafael Márquez 2
azumah nelson v fenech 1
barry mcguigan v steve cruz

if the criteria is great fights between two great fighters then any fight involving Cruz is void, no matter how good it was.
i don't think Fenech-nelson applies either myself.

tho the vasquez rafa fights would have to come very close if they don't actually qualify. I think they do.

[meahdem]

quite right, i never read your post correctly i just went with what i think were great fights, i do sometimes do this only see what i want to, i will have to give this some more thought. although in my defense i wouldn't say taylor was a great, very good but not a great.

[meahdem]

im sitting here and my minds a blank then suddenly i'm thinking well duran v leonard 1 gotta be on the list, and even though i miss read your post i'm still having nelson v fenech 1 too. now it's 22.22 so it's make a wish and tea and toast motd 2 time but, i will be back to this after all i did say loads.

[Counter-puncher]

I take your point that meldrick Taylor isn't easy to class as a great. I think he was great for a very short period, ie about 10rds of the Chavez fight. Before that, slightly unfulfilled potential, after it half-ruined.

That's why its a select list. Cos i have to stretch Taylor just a little to include it. Also pryor as a great would be a tiny stretch maybe, but i could and would.make the same cavil i did with Taylor ie pryor certainly was a great for the 14rds he flung himself at Arguello. Same with qawi holyfield, qawi a great?

[bollox]

Amazing to think the fight was so long ago Two top fighters in their primes fighting at possibly their best respective weights

Just imagine the ho hum factor had Chavez and Taylor fought each other 5 years after their respective primes (oh wait, they did fight each other 5 years past their primes..in Taylor's case anyway. Mayweather and Pacquaio? Who mentioned Mayweather or Pacquaio??? )

[Datsue]

Amazing to think the fight was so long ago Two top fighters in their primes fighting at possibly their best respective weights

Just imagine the ho hum factor had Chavez and Taylor fought each other 5 years after their respective primes (oh wait, they did fight each other 5 years past their primes..in Taylor's case anyway. Mayweather and Pacquaio? Who mentioned Mayweather or Pacquaio??? )

@ Meahdem: Duran vs Leonard I, of course, greatgreatgreatgreat shout mate. Great shout. & C-P, yes of course McCallum vs Toney I, that's a great like technical battle if not a balls-to-the-wall shootout.

I'm gonna get some stick for this:

Chiquita Gonzalez vs Michael Carbajal I & II.

[meahdem]

Amazing to think the fight was so long ago Two top fighters in their primes fighting at possibly their best respective weights

Just imagine the ho hum factor had Chavez and Taylor fought each other 5 years after their respective primes (oh wait, they did fight each other 5 years past their primes..in Taylor's case anyway. Mayweather and Pacquaio? Who mentioned Mayweather or Pacquaio??? )

@ Meahdem: Duran vs Leonard I, of course, greatgreatgreatgreat shout mate. Great shout. & C-P, yes of course McCallum vs Toney I, that's a great like technical battle if not a balls-to-the-wall shootout.

I'm gonna get some stick for this:

Chiquita Gonzalez vs Michael Carbajal I & II.

no stick from me, great fights between two great light fly's, yeh i'm sorta changing the criteria great fighters in great fights turns out there's not loads, was at me old fellas today and was asking him great fighters in great fights straight of he's monzon v nino benvenutti, spinks v eddie mustfa.
i'm sticking hagler v hearns in, and i'm going out on a limb with gomez v pintor.

[Datsue]

no stick from me, great fights between two great light fly's, yeh i'm sorta changing the criteria great fighters in great fights turns out there's not loads, was at me old fellas today and was asking him great fighters in great fights straight of he's monzon v nino benvenutti, spinks v eddie mustfa.
i'm sticking hagler v hearns in, and i'm going out on a limb with gomez v pintor.

Jesus fvck of course, Hagler-Hearns!!!! Christ!!!

& yes totally Gomez vs Pintor. & Spinks vs EMM, yep.

I have to say though, sacreligious as it is, I thought Monzon vs Benvenuti was... Kinda... Boring. Both of them. Just... Something about the styles. Didn't appeal to me aesthetically, like.

The three Benvenuti-Griffith fights though, I thought they were mint... One of 'em's really good, can't remember which one now...

[Counter-puncher]

Whatever the criteria are now, i would stretch them to enable the inclusion of Pintor-Gomez