I'll take Arguello to win by stoppage while behind on points. Taylor's speed and punch output gets the better of Arguello in the first half of the fight until Arguello starts kicking it up a notch by finding his mark with cleaner punches and wearing down Taylor similar to the Chavez fight. Taylor's willingness to trade would only shift to Arguello's favor even more so. By the time Arguello lands his right hand bombs Taylor likely crumbles and gets stopped.
Tough fight, if it were a pound for pound fight then Arguello by late round ko of a brave and bloody Meldrick but at 140 pounds Alexis was showing signs of wear and tear at lightweight suffering knockdowns vs Ramirez (lucky to win on points for me) and Ganigan. Also the Roberto Elizondo found it easy to land on Alexis before being taken out. Flo Raiden correctly mentioned that Meldrick likes to get involved and this would give Arguello a real chance, if he can land his right hand to the body and then head combination he still might do it at 140 pounds. Still the Meldrick that thoroughly dominated Buddy McGirt, John Meekins and came within 2 seconds of beating a peak Chavez I think can win on points. This content is protected
Even though Meldrick was a natural 140 lbs fighter ( and very good ) I think I may still favor Arguello. Alexis did well at whatever weight he fought at and is truly one of the best fighters of all time.
I hate to be the naysayer on this one but Alexis was slowing down at 140. I think a pre-Chavez Meldrick would take the decision.
There’s a possibility of that. But the indication of him “ slowing down “ was two losses in hard fought battles to a superior jr welter than Meldrick Taylor and one who more or less cheated. That said, Taylor should be given a chance
I don;t know...Arguello had problems with slicksters like Vilomar Fernandez... This is why I made hte Arguello-Hamed at 126 thread..Hamed could also box.... (for the record, no, I dont think Hamed beats Arguello)
Taylor would be ahead through most of the fight, and could win a decision if he lasts However, Arguello's pinpoint shots would take their toll, eventually shutting down Meldrick late.
Arguello hit harder than Chavez, yes, even at Jr.welter. Conversely Taylor , hit nothing like Aaron Pryor, and wasn't as complete . Taylor also would have a substantial height and reach disadvantage against Arguello, ( 3inches in height, 6 inches in reach) meaning his habit of staying on the spot to long and waiting on the receipts ( Taylor fought nothing like Vilimar Fernandez, Taylor was more brawler with extremely fast hands than slickster) would eventually cost him dearly against a precise power puncher with a great jab like Arguello was. This fight may not be as competitive as some may think. After a few early rds of success, Taylor as he usually did would fight more with his heart than his head, trading punches with Arguello, as he did against Chavez. But unlike Chavez, Arguello's height and reach advantages, power, and jab would take a toll even earlier. By the 7-8 rds I can easily imagine Taylor being as busted up as he was by Chavez in the 12rd. In a 12rd fight , Taylor may survive only too lose a close dec. 15rds? Arguello stops him.
The problem with Taylor is he always looked to trade even when he didn't have too. Against Courtney Hooper which was BEFORE Chavez Taylor was getting hit with flush right hands throughout the fight. And Alexis only needs ONE and Taylor would give him that chance.
I have to go this way: Arguello if scheduled for 15, Meldrick if 12 or 10. Alexis was a true ‘championship rounds’ fighter and he’d be coming on in the second half of the fight, but I see Taylor limping to the finish line for a decision in a shorter fight but not lasting the full 15 … Arguello would rough him up and lump him up a la Chavez but would need the stretch run to close the deal.
I lean this way as well. Arguello hit a bit harder than Chavez but he was a little more static as well. The Arguello that fought Pryor, IMO, put up one hell of an effort and would have beaten a great many fighters that night. Have a look at the punishment Pryor soaked up. He took some enormous blows, and not just a couple either. Arguello's power was verified even at 140 via his one punch KO over Rooney and his over the weights pole axing of Costello when virtually shot. Arguello himself showed great durability at the weight as well by taking a boatload of clean punches off Aaron as well. Pryor wasn't a huge one punch knockout artist but he did hit hard to very hard. I wouldn't go in to bat against someone thinking Taylor might hang in over 12 and win. He wouldn't make 15 tho IMO.
