This isn't amateur boxing. One of all the time great comebacks elevates a fighter's standing, it doesn't diminish it. Did Taylor look like a winner by the end of that fight to you?
I never said I give Byrd full credit I said he deserves more credit than what people give him and there's also a false narrative about the fight that Vitali dominated when he didn't. Yes I disagree with Steele's decision because had Chavez been in that same position he wouldn't of had the same attitude in regards to Chavez. Hence yes I do think Taylor was hard done by losing a fight by 2 seconds because Steele was in a rush to stop it. Two totally different incidents though that have no significance to each other if you're implying that I'm being biased in someway.
There's no clear margin between either. I'll give you Griffin but Naploes, come on, there was about 4 weight classes in size between them.
I'm in the boat that Valdez can get a bit overrated myself. Before his first fight with Briscoe his record is incredibly thin. He really doesn't have much there excepting his fights with Briscoe and Monzon. Obviously he was a good fighter, that can be seen on film and he hit damn hard but it's a very shallow resume.
The Truth is Taylor was in bad shape. His eye socket was broken, his face was a grotesque mask, he had swallowing blood from the 2nd round on. The fighters condition is the referee's main concern there. Taylor didn't respond when ask if he was OK. Besides that Taylor couldn't have won because Lou Duva jumped onto the ring apron. Automatic DQ.
Not a lot between them really, but I favor Monzon by a few places in the ATG stakes, mainly on account of his historical placement in middleweight history - and being arguably the greatest 160lb practitioner that ever lived. I also like that he put on two exceptional performances at the very end of his career. These were fine touches to a fine championship run.
This thread is for discussion of these two guys. I think it’s quite fair to point out that one of them was a cold-blooded murderer who beat women. Sorry if that gets in the way of anyone’s hero worship.
Apologies - Is this thread serving as a ballot for 'Man of the Year'? If it is, then I withdraw my vote. If not, then I can separate the art from the artist - - - my opinion stands. ps - One needn't be a hero worshiper to appreciate a sportsperson's career.