I'm going for Taylor by late stoppage here. Meldrick was sometimes too brave for his own good and no doubt it means he's going to take some punishment here, but I don't think Tszyu can deal with what the best version of Taylor can offer. I've said before about Tszyu, he always looked good (the very early rounds aside) against rangy stylists and movers, guys who tried to outbox him on the back foot. He seemed to enjoy having to go after them and it allowed him to build up a forward momentum and rhythm. He was at his best against those kind of guys despite their speed advantage over him, and eventually chopped them down or overwhelmed them (Gonzalez, Hurtado, Mitchell, Judah). Not so hot against guys who stuck close to him and could hold their ground / push him back, though. Phillips beat him by staying close and outspeeding / outbrawling him, and Hatton stuck to him like glue and bullied him as well (based on this, I don't necessarily rule out Hatton beating a younger or more active Tszyu). If he thought those guys were tough to get the better of at close quarters, just wait until he's in there with Taylor. Would be a tough fight for Taylor still, and Tszyu does have the power to hurt him. But I also think Tszyu was easier to discourage and subdue when things weren't going his way than a Chavez. There was absolutely no quit in Taylor, he's got the heart to match his speed and combinations here. The Taylor who completely dominated McGirt is just a shade too good - and a bad style match up - for Kostya, in my opinion.
Pre Chavez Taylor on pts but I don't feel good about it. Koysta could really crack and with his excellent timing is a dangerous fight for Taylor. I would still have my money on Taylor but not with a ton of confidence.
Tszyu by late KO. Taylor would box Tszyu's ear off for a while, till Tszyu clocks him with a right hand.
Taylor W12. He uses his fast hands and feet to outspeed and outwork Tzyu. Kind of similar to McGirt except Tzyu lasts the distance.
On paper this should be a mismatch just because of Taylor's speed and output, but these guys were made for KT. KT only needs to catch him and it's over. I don't think Taylor goes 36 minutes without being clocked with a GOOD shot and recover from it. KT was a beast of a finisher when he smelled blood. KT late stoppage, around the 9th/10th.
Agreed. Except I do not see the Taylor defense lasting that long--more like 5-8 rounds. Taylor will never see the punch. He stands around for his receipt after throwing his combos--and this opponent will still be in the pocket with that right hand cocked and loaded. It won't miss. Taylor needs a big hitter that is less accurate than this guy. And a guy that would get flustered with those combos of his.
It's this or a Taylor decision. Taylor exchanged a lot and was quit hittable. Not a great thing against Kostya.
