Taylor just wasn't that good. Without his gift decisions over Hopkins and Wright, he's just another contender. Once he stopped facing lighter weight guys, like Spinks and Ouma, and had to face top fighters in their prime, he started losing badly. Taylor has yet to convincingly defeat a world class opponent his own size that's in their prime.
taylor has to much pride to drop out, hell i even think he has a good chance of victory in his next fight with ward but i'll wait to see ward / kessler before i make a prediction
His intention is very clear and was the case even when he was undefeated. Taylor is here to fight everyone and the best out there. He might be falling short but there's no quit in this man's heart.