1st Round - 140 Pound Tourney - Meldrick Taylor vs. Esteban DeJesus

I'll take Taylor, as he's even quicker of hand, and while Esteban was a quick, slick, skilled fighter in his own right, I don't see how he'd be able to dictate the pace. Taylor by clear Decision. If the going gets tough he may even stop Dejesus late like he did McGirt.

 

Taylor.

Hard man to beat, better be on the ball though,as fast as he is,that crafty Esteban can find counters and mix it with guys when they get too close. Meldrick doesnt get a shutout, as Dejesus is too good, but he wins the most rounds. Esteban doing better at the end though,

Taylor

 

Taylor would be busier and rack up rounds. Dejesus would have his opportunities to land that left hook but wouldn't inflict enough punishment to get Taylor out of there and Taylor would be too busy.

Winner: Taylor decision

 

I'll take Taylor by decision. His handspeed will carry him though. De Jesus has more than a chance though, but I'll take Taylor by a comfortable enough decision over 15.

 

Speed kills. Taylor was incredibly fast. DeJesus would score some very hard left hooks at times, but Taylor would win on the inside or outside in this one due to the speed.

 

I actually think DeJesus would win at his best he looked very smooth and put his combinations together very well and I assume this fight is over 15 and I don't believe Taylor would be able to keep the work rate up for 15. Esteban won't be as easy to hit as Chavez was in there fight I see Meldrick winning the early rounds and Esteban coming on strong and winning a close decision. The kind of decision that could go either way but due to the work done in the latter rounds it goes to Esteban.

 

I think this is the toughest matchup so far. Taylor starts out fast and maintains his speed through 10 rounds, with DeJesus' counters really taking a toll on Taylor. The last 5 are pure hell on Taylor trying to maintain his early pace while trying to avoid the DeJesus bombs. DeJesus was explosive could maintain his pace and I think it could come down to the last couple of rounds. It's so easy to say Taylor by close decision but I think DeJesus could and would stop Taylor late. DeJesus on a 14th round stoppage with Taylor ahead on points at the stoppage.

Scartissue

BTW, I've changed my mind on this one a couple of times. Tough matchup.

 

Taylor. Esteba had a lot of trouble with a young Benitez, who had good handspeed and good boxing skills.
Skill wise, Taylor is at the same level but had much better handspeed. So I will pick Taylor by decision.

 

Dejesus the much more balanced boxer-puncher and greater talent overall.

Im just not sure if he's up to it physically at this weight.He was totally dwarfed by Cervantes, but taylor was more of a lightweight sized fighter himself so it might not be as much of an issue.

Dejesus close decision.

 

Taylor on points. His speed is too much for De Jesus. I can see De Jesus doing pretty well at long range, but getting crowed and outscored at mid-range. De Jesus has the tools to make this a highly competitive fight. Cervantes beat him and when past his prime he lost handily to Mamby. He's not as accomplished at the weight as Taylor. De Jesus had respectable power throughout his career and punched with more authority at lightweight.

 

Taylor is faster and has a higher workrate but he is very hittable and DeJesus had a good defence. I think DeJesus would connect as often as Taylor but with the crisper shots. Very close fight with the edge to DeJesus due to clean punching.

DeJesus MD Taylor

 

DeJesus wins by late stoppage. Taylor would be a blizzard of punches but DeJesus could stand in the eye of the storm and land the kind of precision counters that put Duran down. Taylor doesn't have as mcuh to keep him off him and would eventually be stopped by the precision of DeJesus' shots.

 

DeJesus might be one of the most underrated fighters ever. That being said, I agree, that handspeed might be the one factor deciding this fight.
Taylor is just too fast for DeJesus and racks up round after round. Time and again DeJesus might get in a big left hook, but Meldrick could take a punch and had tremendous heart. Taylor might have to get up from the canvas during the fight, but he´d make it to the final bell to win a clear, though not wide, decision.