The stoppage in Chavez-Taylor 1

Fair stoppage, if a harsh one.

 

Great fight, pure quality from Taylor (I was alarmed by how wide the gap was between him and Chavez for most of the rounds, it has affected how I view JCC as he was completely outboxed when peak or near-peak here), and the stoppage was correct. The referee cannot allow time to enter his mind, if you ask a guy if he is ok and he just stares into space he is duty-bound to wave it off.

 

Myth?

 

Damn solid for a myth

 

I wouldn't call it a myth exactly. I think he was a great fighter, but the Taylor fight is one of the reasons that I do not believe he was one of the elites of his generation in terms of ability. Guys like Whitaker and Hagler could never have been so comprehensively beaten over 11 rounds and 58 seconds in their primes.

 

I dunno Popkins...I mean Sweet Pea aside, Chavez for my money was the elite fighter of his generation. Certainly he was ranked as such by all the magazines until Pea 'beat' him.
Taylor gave him fits for sure, but Chavez bust him up and did find a way to win.

 

Yep, legit stoppage. Those that think Steele was biased towards Chavez needs to watch Chavez's reaction to him after the first Randall fight.

Steele was a fair ref, and a GOOD one. His explanation post-fight is exemplary, and Taylor's corner were at fault, telling him to go for it because the fight was close (hopefully it wasn't, I had Taylor up about 8-3 going into the last round) and for jumping up on the apron and distracting him when Steele required an answer from Meldrick.

Good stoppage. Regardless of the time :good

 

After about a hundred fights :huh

 

good stoppage by steele ,great fight

 

Yeah it was a shame but definitely the correct decision. Richard Steele was not concerned with the time, his job is to look after the fighters health. Taylor was ****ed and Chavez was a hurtful puncher. Another big punch and he could have been seriously hurt.