What were your thoughts when Richard Steele stopped the chavez-taylor fight

Angry. It would have been physically impossible for chavez to hit him again. 2 seconds left and he was in the neutral corner

 

"What are you doing?"

 

Taylor was done. Doesnt matter how much time was left.

 

I didn't watch the fight at the time, so I knew the outcome before. However, after seeing it I was actually happy because the fight might have gone to Taylor if it would have gone to the cards. And IMO that would not have been the right call.

 

Each time I see it I'm more convinced the ref did the right thing.. Defend yourself at all times... Taylor didn't know what planet he was on. Ref waved it off with 0.05 left now whether there's 5 seconds or 2.55 left.. Never leave a fighter exposed.. He saved Taylor from possibly one more punch he wouldnt ever have been able to stop and we could be talking another Gman/Michael Watson... Correct stoppage if laws if the game are allied... Controversial if the clock means more than the laws.

Let's say the ref allows it to carry on JCC runs over and lands a massive punch and leaves MT as a vegetable.. We'd all be blaming the ref

 

Hindsight. If taylor had died from a lightning bolt or some freak accident immediately after the fight, instead of fighting on and becoming punch drunk and having the legendary nights episode cover his decline, i suspect the majority opinion would be different. But based just onwhat you can see in that fight, it was a very unusual stoppage

 

Utter disbelief, even though I already knew the outcome!

 

In the moment I was outraged...another Don King/Richard Steele fiasco!!!

Still upset about for weeks/months following the fight.

Over the course of time it was to correct decision. I don’t believe Meldrick responded to Steele’s questions and as much as I hate Taylor losing his moment of glory I do think it was the right call

 

I watched the fight live, in a loud bar, no sound, the only Chavez supporter in the room. I knew it was a close fight and figured the knockdown sealed it for Chavez and that the stoppage was just icing on the cake.

At that time all the magazines had it a very close fight; the card that had Taylor up by 8 points was considered a travesty, as it was. Several years later I finally heard the commentary on the fight and couldn't believe my ears.

 

That Steele found the moment to make good on his promise to Don King to help Chavez any way possible to ensure one of his meal tickets won.

No, I am exaggerating.

But, I did feel and still do that Steele shouldn't have stopped it.

There was not enough time left for a punch to be thrown.

 

This

 

For me, It was an early hand wave on the 2nd ask to call off the fight .. I know most say Taylor didn't know where he was, but immediately after Steele called it, Taylor shook his head as to say wtf? .I mean the look on his face was devastating, he knew what was happening .. I still haven't completely got over it and do not agree with it completely .. But as time passes, you accept no matter how much time there is left in a fight, it is the ref's job to protect an injured fighter .. even though I'm not a Steele fan at all !!

 

Yeah, well said. Agreed that Steele was fast in waving it off almost the instant he finished asking Taylor “you ok?” for the second time.

But as much as I remember Meldrick reacting with shock and disappointment...I also remember Steele’s face as he asked the question twice. He was dialed in. Looking Meldrick right in the eyes...supremely aware of the condition of the fighter in front of him. I believe, in that split second, he made what he thought was the right decision.

Would Meldrick have made it outta the round? I say yes. The first time I watched the fight I flat out thought Steele got it wrong. But like a lot of people...over time and with a little hindsight...I think the result was right.

Some people blame Steele, some blame Duva for climbing on the apron or Meldrick for not responding...but it really was just this bizarre set of circumstances that led to boxing’s most infamous stoppage.

 

Taylor to me wasn't badly damaged in this fight, and would have lasted the final seconds.

It was a snap judgement call, but I think Steele just wasn't very aware of the time left or the fact that Taylor would have made the final seconds. Either that or he was and figured this was a chance to give Don King's fighter the victory.

A bad call.