What exactly makes a fighter HOF-worthy? Few stars shined brighter than that of Meldrick Taylor in his sensational-yet brief-heyday. He won Olympic gold at 17, dominated & stopped the heavily-favored (future HOFer?) Buddy McGirt, was a 2-division titlist & participated in one of the greatest & most hotly debated fights in boxing history against Chavez in a P4P battle that people will still be talking about 100 years from now. Should he be excluded from the hallowed Hall simply for lack of longevity?...
Meldrick was always one of my favorite fighters when I was a kid. He was at his peak when I was getting into boxing. I have never seen hand speed like his. He knew he could hit you many more times than you could hit him. That led to one of his biggest weaknesses, not avoiding taking more damage when hurt. Meldrick would grit his teeth and let his hands go. Meldrick was a two division champ, and did go on to do something Chavez never could... Win a title at 147. If Taylor had scored an official win over Chavez, who some argue is the best ever at 140, it would be an easy call. Taylor was a solid champ at 140 and 147, but was never with out a doubt "the man" in either. I would like to see him get in, but understand if he doesn't I will say there are, and will be, others I see get in that are less deserving.
No, he doesn't belong. He has a win over Buddy McGirt and Aaron Davis plus an extremely close loss to Chavez. Thats about it really, so no he doesn't there.
Meldrick had the physical ability of Floyd Mayweather but often fought with the reckless abandon of Arturo Gatti--ultimately to his detriment. That style dazzled fans and made him one of the most exciting fighters of his era, but also exacerbated his rapid decline. Had he utilized his attributes and resisted the urge to go to war--a la Floyd--there's no telling how great he could have been. But that's not who he was. Had he fought that way, I might not have ever fallen in love with the sport. Yes, his prime was short, but his resume is still quite impressive for a man who was past his best by the age of 25... Cubanito Perez, Robin Blake, Howard Davis, Harold Brazier, Primo Ramos (twice), John Meekins, Courtney Hooper, Buddy McGirt, the classic with Chavez, Aaron Davis, Glenwood Brown...in addition to Olympic gold at 17. Critics will point to his stoppage defeats to Chavez (twice), Terry Norris, & Crisanto Espana as evidence that he should be excluded from the Hall. I would argue that Meldrick deserved the 'W' over Chavez in '90, and that he never belonged at 147, much less 154 (for Norris). Espana DWARFED Meldrick, who by that time was already shot anyway...In my opinion, Meldrick's career is the epitome of what fighters risk in the pursuit of glory. Meldrick sacrificed his longevity pursuing glory in his historic battle with Chavez. He was robbed of that glory that night and in his pursuit lost the ability to ever reach that level again. He deserves to be rewarded. He's earned a higher level of glory; the IBHOF...in my opinion.
one of my top 10 all time favourite fighters. one of the greatest fights of all time against chavez one of the most naturally gifted amateurs or pros i've ever seen no, does not belong in the hall of fame
He's more talented than some guys who are in there but I don't think he merits it on his resume. I do like Meldrick though so I wouldn't cry foul if he did end up in the HoF, I just don't think he will.
I'm not really sure. Maybe, maybe not. Put it this way, had he beaten Chavez then yes, absolutely. As it stands...he is the perrenial 'nearly' man. You have to love Taylor though; that man was all heart.
personally i dont think he does but it is a close call . the problem is though that there are fighters already in the hall that really belong
