In 1990, instead of Taylor fighting Chavez, say his good buddy Sweet Pea moves up from 135 and fights him. Who wins? And who trains who? Since both came from the same stable, and were trained by Duva and Benton. BTW - I'm SURE this two sparred numerous times. They had to have had. Anybody know who got the better when they sparred?
Just from Whitaker's mouth, which has to be taken with a grain of salt, he claims he sparred once with Meldrick and that 'it was pretty easy stuff.' He said Meldrick was an incredible fighter but the stuff he did didn't work on him. Now, as to them actually fighting, I'd take Pea by a close decision but it would be competitive the whole way though. Whitaker's defensive ability will serve him well neutralising much of Taylor's flurrying prowess.
Whitaker would win this fight primarily with his jab. Taylor's fast hands would give any opponent of comparable size problems, but a disruptive jab can help in some of these circumstances. Tarver's jab bothered Jones. Forrest's jab bothered Mosley. Whitaker would not stand on the inside with Taylor for long stints. I don't believe Whitaker would use his normally great combinations to the head and body. Whitaker would use angles and movement, his straight left, and his jab to outpoint his friend.
I agree with this. As someone who grew up watching both of these guys fairly closely, I think their rather non aggressive styles coupled with little punching power would make for a somewhat dull fight.
