If Meldrick Taylor had not fought Julio Caesar Chavez, would he have continued to greatness?

To show again how poorly mismanaged Taylor was, Taylor was in the ring again 6 months after Norris completely annihilated him.
How do you not put a fighter on the shelf for a good while after such a beating???
So Taylor 6 months after Norris is defending his WBA world title vs a tall, lanky, strong as an Ox Ernesto Espana.
Ernesto Espana was not a soft touch, he was a real tough fighter with boxing pedigree. Espana towered over Taylor like Hearns towered over everyone. Taylor took a brutal beating from Espana. To me this was the nail on the coffin as for the end of Meldrick Taylor as a top tier fighter.

 

You're probably right. My angle was that Taylor kept his weight down and was devoid of the marquee opponent Chavez represented. Sometimes money can break down those barriers.

I appreciate the kind words though, John. I also think 'knocking on greatness' door is appropriate. It's hard to envision Taylor beating the true greats, though oddly enough, had he never met Chavez (like is implied in the OP), beaten all-comers at 140, moved up and say, overcome McGirt for a lineal title, he may have garnered that label more often. Boxing is one of those sports where timing can make or break these things, whether it's genuinely appropriate or not.

 

You know, another angle to look at is what if he acknowledges Steele and hence wins that fight. He was, what, a nod of the head or a couple of words away? He avoids a Chavez rematch, saying he wants to look forward not backward. He's avoided the mental trauma from that loss and is in a little better stead. At this point he's already got a couple of fine scalps with Chavez being a big cherry on top and moves straight up like he did and wins the crown. Instead of fighting Norris he hangs around for Nell. Even a good close fight with Whitaker would have done him wonders and Whitaker's not a big puncher so there's not much damage down even in the event of a loss. If he did happen to edge Whitaker (i don't think he would but it's not impossible with his speed and volume) Nell is still going on to great things.

That was probably his pathway to a shot at great. I mean if he did get the better of Whitaker he may have opened the door.