The pre-existing cut in Taylor's mouth: did it cost him the fight?

.............My honest opinion is that when Steele is on his deathbed, he'll admit to having a bit of a brainfart that night. I think he just felt the excitement and drama of a tense situation in which he had to make a decision, and he slipped. I really don't think there's any more to it than that.

 

I think he will be satisfied that out there somewhere Meldrick Taylor is walking around and not in a nearly forgotten twenty year old grave someplace.

 

............Not sure I understand. Is this implying Steele has complicity in Taylor's condition? I can;t see that.

 

A referee's job is the well being of a fighter. Taylor's eye's were blank. If Steele sent Taylor out again He could have gotten seriously injured. A little known fact. the referee of the Mancini-Kim fight killed himself not long after the bout... It's an on the spot judgement call which could mean life & death.

 

........Oh, you're saying his actions could have saved Taylor's life. Okay, fair enough.

 

Duva telling him he had to win the 12th round cost him the fight

 

Lou did his job, I think people forget, that even if that final belt rang Taylor would of only won a split decision.

 

You can never tell with judges, especially in Vegas, however Duva getting on the ring apron is another story.

It seemed as if he distracted Taylor and that Taylor was looking at him while Steele was asking him questions.

 

Actually Duva jumped up on the ring apron which distracted a badly dazed Taylor. By rule that would be an automatic DQ. Lou was mostly a cheerleader in the corner. He lost his cool there.

I think Steele was looking hard into Meldrick's face by the 2nd question. It was a grotesque mask at that point. That would scare me if I was a referee. I believe Steele handled it correctly.

I think a more poised corner, experienced with Meldrick's well being in mind would have stopped it between the 11th and 12th round. Remember Taylor had collapsed in the 11th. Taylor was young with a future.

Live to fight another day. His stock would have gone up further. Other than Steele, Duva and Benton had the closest view of the damage being done. Granted that would take an exceptional cornerman like Eddie Futch or Ray Arcel.

 

I can understand last 2 seconds being too late,but in the end it's very reasonable.

Meldrick had nothing left to offer, that's all.