1990: Meldrick Taylor vs. Pernell Whitaker

Diamond WEAPON · Post by **Diamond WEAPON** » 03 Oct 2007, 18:01

Who do you guys think wins this matchup? Honestly I think if anybody's style could give Whitaker fits at that time it was Taylor, his handspeed was ridiculous and I think he would've been able to hit Sweet Pea more than practically every other opponent combined. I doubt Whitaker would be able to fully utilize his footwork either because Meldrick was a very good boxer himself with good footwork.

I'd have favored Taylor to win by a pretty close but clear decision.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 04 Oct 2007, 04:14

I agree that Taylor's style would get him the decision in this one, but it's hard to call against Whittaker.

markl · Post by **markl** » 04 Oct 2007, 04:24

I loved Taylor. But he wasn't smart enough to beat Whitaker. The thing that most ignore about Pea was how many punches he threw in his prime.

I hate compubox with a passion but he has like 4 or 5 of the top 10 in most punches landed on HBO telecasts.

Although I haven't seen footage I have heard on a few occasions that Whitaker owned Camacho in sparring when he was still an amateur.

He is one of those guys that you think someones activity and speed will get to him. But it never materializes in the ring.

Whitaker by UD in a good, crisp fight.

Diamond WEAPON · Post by **Diamond WEAPON** » 04 Oct 2007, 06:13

markl wrote:I loved Taylor. But he wasn't smart enough to beat Whitaker. The thing that most ignore about Pea was how many punches he threw in his prime.

I hate compubox with a passion but he has like 4 or 5 of the top 10 in most punches landed on HBO telecasts.

Although I haven't seen footage I have heard on a few occasions that Whitaker owned Camacho in sparring when he was still an amateur.

He is one of those guys that you think someones activity and speed will get to him. But it never materializes in the ring.

Whitaker by UD in a good, crisp fight.

Funny that you mention his sparring with Camacho because in those videos of Zab Judah sparring with Pernell HBO showed on the countdown for the Cotto fight it looked like he was handling him with his handspeed.

Robinson · Post by **Robinson** » 04 Oct 2007, 23:55

I love Whittaker...but what I have seen of Taylor and his
volume of punches some judges may favour him over Sweat
Pea's defensive and tricky style.

I am a Whittaker fan however so I am going to go with him :)
Kym

markl · Post by **markl** » 05 Oct 2007, 00:33

Robinson wrote:I love Whittaker...but what I have seen of Taylor and his
volume of punches some judges may favour him over Sweat
Pea's defensive and tricky style.

I am a Whittaker fan however so I am going to go with him :)
Kym

Whitaker threw just as many punches.

tennessee · Post by **tennessee** » 06 Oct 2007, 08:26

this bout is a draw. ahh. what a robbery, and we would all agree that taylor won at least seven rounds clearly. nobody could get off five or six punches faster than meldrick taylor.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 06 Oct 2007, 09:28

I wouldn't like to be a judge for this one.

It would be practically impossible to see the punches with these two.

It's a tough one to call, but I think Whittaker would edge.

He was so defensively sound, it is hard to pick against him.

walshb · Post by **walshb** » 08 Oct 2007, 15:09

The difference here is intelligent offense and Whitaker has the edge. Taylor may very well be busier, but will he really be landing with the majority of the punches. Pea will IMO be a lot more precise and he will be the one dictating the pace....Pea by decision

dempseyfire · Post by **dempseyfire** » 08 Oct 2007, 15:13

Taylor is over-romanticised by some. He was a very good boxer with excellent fast combinations but as has been said he was not a very smart boxer and needed to be set to really get his combinations off (Chavez was standing on the inside pocket with Meldrick allnight). Against the constantly evolving and moving Whitaker, Taylor would be baffled and get frustrated.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 08 Oct 2007, 15:59

dempseyfire wrote:Taylor is over-romanticised by some. He was a very good boxer with excellent fast combinations but as has been said he was not a very smart boxer and needed to be set to really get his combinations off (Chavez was standing on the inside pocket with Meldrick allnight). Against the constantly evolving and moving Whitaker, Taylor would be baffled and get frustrated.

Very good points.

I think you've summed it up perfectly.

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 10 Oct 2007, 22:29

Taylor probably was stronger and probably the better inside fighter, but he gets hit too much. Whitaker was a clever tactician that could adapt to any opponent's style. He was so hard to hit, like Nicolino Locche, but threw way more punches than Locche.

Whitaker beats him 10 out of 10. He was that good.

generic screen name · Post by **generic screen name** » 12 Oct 2007, 19:40

From my perspective, I always thought of Sweet Pea being stronger than Meldrick. I think his slickness/ring generalship throws it off a bit, but I seen Pernell on occasions push his opponent back, he was no George Foreman, but if he had some strength to give him some respect. Meldrick loved to throw pitter patter combinations and would rather trade than push his opponent back. Taylor may win some early rounds cuz of his handspeed, but everything points to Sweet Pea by unanimous decision.

ringsider · Post by **ringsider** » 13 Oct 2007, 00:01

They both stunk, and neither could beat Chavez. End of story......

I Feel Fine · Post by **I Feel Fine** » 13 Oct 2007, 02:26

Whitaker beat Chavez. Taylor was two seconds away. Your posts are what stink, like green turd.

I would pick Whitaker over Taylor.