Chavez r Taylor Chavez r Camacho Calzage r Lacey DLH r Vargas Hopkins r Trinidad Margarito r Cintron Barrera r Hamed Trinidad r Reid Lazcano r Tackie
That's because a lot of people just watch Legendary Nights but don't actually pay attention to the fights and history and what happened around that time. Actually I do think that Taylor left some of himself in that ring and was never the same. It is slightly true that Chavez "ruined" Taylor, in the sense that he never fully recovered. But Taylor was still good enough to move up to 147 and beat an undefeated Davis for the WBA title. He took too much punishment in general. In fights, and probably in Philly gym wars. Even before losing to Norris at 151-152 (I think it was a catch weight around there), he looked pretty vulnerable against Brown. Win or lose against Chavez, I think he had a short lifespan at the top of the sport. Taylor cited weight problems for moving up to 147 after the Chavez fight. He did go back down to 140 in 1994 for the rematch, but maybe that was just a desperate attempt for one final big fight/purse. Taylor had that stocky frame, so I think there may be some real vaildity in him having weight problems at 140. Around that time period, the talent pool was too deep at 147. Trinidad, Quartey, Espana, stablemate Whitaker, etc...Unless Taylor was protected, I don't see him spending too long at the top of the sport and having a title.