bit of an easy one this. Taylor would be top dog at 140. Only fighters with a chance would be manny or floyd at 140.
I'd favor him to beat the top 140 lb. fighters out now. I think he'd reign on top until he could no longer make weight.
People have an inflated image of Taylor from Legendary Nights, the only note worthy fighters he took on before Chavez were McGirt and Davis, Davis whome he drew against. Yes he was very fast, but nevertheless he had obvious defensive flaws. I think Tszyu and Mayweather would have surely beat Taylor, and Judah, Cotto and Hatton would have had a strong chance.
I agree, some people pretend Taylor was the next SRL and get a very wrong idea about the Chavez fight. Taylor was fast and flashy but Chavez systematically beat everything out of him, while Taylor's punches never slowed Chavez. Manny and Floyd would stop taylor, but earlier than Chavez did.
Taylor beats them all The current crop is good, but not that good Ricky Hatton in his prime would have beaten all the current top 140lb crop too (queue HUGE backlash!)
Manny maybe, but Floyd not too sure...Floyd UD's him if anything, but i still think Meldrick would give both Floyd and Manny a tough fight, even if he does lose to both of them IMO.
Taylor was also destined to have a short stay at the top. If he had beaten Chavez, or never fought him, I don't see a whole lot about his career changing anyway.
No , I dont think so. To beat Hatton it had to either be extemely accurate or a huge puncher , Taylor was a great mover , but no banger and was a little wild. Against todays 140lbs he would be too much , but Hatton and Cotto Im not sure. He was always a little easy to hit. Dont fall into the slickster idea , as he himself said his downfall was fighting too much and not boxing.
Pleaaasee! Taylor would have lit Hatton up terribly! He hit alot harder than people give him credit for, esp with his hook... and he was a very good body puncher. Just waaayyyy too fast, too talented, and too tough for Hatton. ANd yes, he'd easily be the top dog at 140 today.
