Meldrick Taylor

Last updated
Meldrick Taylor
Born (1966-10-19) October 19, 1966 (age 58)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names
  • The Kid
  • TNT
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm) [1]
Reach66 in (168 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights47
Wins38
Wins by KO20
Losses8
Draws1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1984 Los Angeles Featherweight

Meldrick Taylor (born October 19, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2002. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF junior welterweight title from 1988 to 1990, and the WBA welterweight title from 1991 to 1992. As an amateur, Taylor won a gold medal in the featherweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. [2]

Contents

Amateur career

Taylor, one of many boxing champions hailing from the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, learned his craft in the gyms of his hometown and posted a 99-4 record as an amateur fighter. In 1984, Taylor earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at the age of 17, and claimed the gold medal in the featherweight division. Following his victory, he joined the professional ranks.

1984 Olympic results

In the American Olympic trials Taylor lost to Andrew Minsker, who then went on to win the trials. However, Taylor beat Minsker twice back to back to earn the spot in the Olympic box-offs.

Professional career

His early fights were against nondescript journeymen, but in his 12th fight, in May 1986, Taylor won a unanimous decision against fellow contender Harold Brazier and moved into the world rankings. On September 3, 1988, Taylor faced James (Buddy) McGirt for the IBF light welterweight title. He defeated McGirt by a technical knockout (TKO) in the 12th and final round to begin his first title reign.

Taylor vs. Chávez

Over the next 18 months, Taylor won four more fights, setting up a unification bout with the WBC light welterweight champion Julio César Chávez on March 17, 1990 in Las Vegas. Chavez had an aura of invincibility, he was considered the best fighter pound for pound in the world and also one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. This fight drew huge media attention, as both men came in unbeaten (Taylor at 24-0-1 and Chávez at 66-0), and regarded as two of the best boxers in the world, regardless of weight class. Their fight was one of the most famous and controversial bouts in boxing history.

Taylor took control of the action early and began to build up a lead on the scorecards. However, Chávez proved to be a heavier puncher, and was slowly wearing Taylor down even as he lost rounds. Going to the 12th and final round, Taylor led by wide margins on two of the three scorecards, and his corner famously told him that he needed to win that round. Because of this, Taylor chose to continue fighting at close quarters with the hard-hitting Mexican champion. Chávez, realizing time was running out, came at Taylor aggressively in the last round. With 17 seconds left in the fight, Chávez floored Taylor. Taylor beat the 10-count and got back to his feet at six. Referee Richard Steele twice asked Taylor, "Are you ok?" Taylor did not respond and only looked at his corner. Steele waved the fight off with just two seconds left, awarding Chávez a win by TKO.

The controversy surrounding the stoppage continues to this day, and 10 years later, The Ring proclaimed it the "Fight of the Decade".

Many boxing fans believe that Taylor was essentially 'ruined' as a fighter because of this bout—due in part to the tremendous punishment taken at the hands of Chavez, including several fractures and some kidney damage (according to the HBO "Legendary Nights" episode mentioned before, he was taken to the hospital immediately after the Chavez bout—reportedly urinating blood.)

WBA welterweight champion and rematch with Chávez

Taylor had lost his title, but not his desire. Feeling that having to make the 140 pound (64 kg) weight had weakened him against Chavez, Taylor moved up to welterweight (147 pounds) and decisioned undefeated Aaron Davis for the WBA welterweight title on January 19, 1991. He issued a challenge to Chávez for a rematch at 147 pounds, but the latter wouldn't move up in weight for many years. Taylor won three more fights before answering a challenge from world junior middleweight champion Terry Norris to fight for Norris' WBC title. Norris, a naturally bigger and stronger man, knocked Taylor out in the fourth round.

This marked the end of Taylor's career as a world-class fighter; he lost the welterweight crown to undefeated challenger Crisanto España in his next fight on Halloween night in 1992. Taylor won his following three fights, including a second-round knockout over number four ranked welterweight Chad Broussard. [3] He got one more title shot, against Chávez on September 17, 1994 in Las Vegas, but, years removed from his prime, he was stopped by Chávez in the eighth round. The fight was competitive, with Taylor getting off to a fast start. But after a brutal sixth round, Taylor's legs became rubbery and he was stopped 2 rounds later. Taylor was suspended by The State Athletic Commission in 1997 for failing to appear at a bout in Altoona, PA. It was scheduled for April 6, 1997 against 18-0 Ken Sigurani In a 10-round welterweight event.

He fought off and on over the next couple of years, winning some fights and losing others, before retiring in 2002. He finished with a record of 38-8-1, (20 KOs).

During an episode of HBO's "Legendary Nights" in 2003, an interview with Taylor was shown, in which his speech was very slurred and difficult to understand. Many viewers were shocked and disturbed when they heard the way Taylor now speaks. Indeed, the episode implicitly attributed this to pugilistic dementia—mentioning, time and again, how Taylor was well past his prime as a fighter.

Meldrick Taylor has written his autobiography, titled Two Seconds From Glory.

2019 arrest

Meldrick Taylor was arrested on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in North Philadelphia morning after he allegedly threatened a man with a gun and engaged in a 90-minute standoff with police at his residence. Taylor was charged with aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and terroristic threats. He was later released on an unsecured bond. [4]

Personal

Meldrick Taylor has a twin brother, Eldrick, who was also briefly a professional boxer. [5] Eldrick Taylor compiled a record of 0 wins and 1 loss. [6] Another brother, Myron, competed as a professional boxer as well. [7] Myron Taylor had a record of 29 wins (16 by knockout), 9 losses and one draw (tie), and who once challenged for a world title. [8]

Professional boxing record

47 fights38 wins8 losses
By knockout204
By decision184
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
47Loss38–8–1Wayne MartellUD10Jul 20, 2002Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen, Minnesota, U.S.
46Win38–7–1Dillon CarewSD8May 31, 2002 Boutwell Memorial Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
45Win37–7–1Manuel De LeonUD8Sep 10, 1999 Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, Ocala, Florida, U.S.
44Win36–7–1Tim ScottTKO3Aug 26, 1999 Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
43Loss35–7–1Quirino GarciaUD12Feb 26, 1999Gimnasio Municipal Josue Neri Santos, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
42Loss35–6–1 Hasan Al UD10Aug 28, 1998 Atletion, Aarhus, Denmark
41Win35–5–1Rafael SalasUD6Aug 6, 1998 Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
40Loss34–5–1Darren MaciunskiSD10Nov 26, 1996 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
39Win34–4–1Tommy SmallUD10Oct 10, 1996 Hilton, Washington D.C., U.S.
38Win33–4–1Kenneth KiddTKO1 (10), 2:59Aug 16, 1996 Jaffa Shrine Center, Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37Loss32–4–1 Julio César Chávez TKO8 (12), 1:41 Sep 17, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC light welterweight title
36Win32–3–1Chad BroussardKO2 (10), 1:01 May 7, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
35Win31–3–1Craig HoukKO3 (10), 1:02 Jan 29, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
34Win30–3–1Henry HughesRTD2 (10), 3:00 May 8, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
33Loss29–3–1 Crisanto España TKO8 (12), 2:11 Oct 31, 1992 Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, EnglandLost WBA welterweight title
32Loss29–2–1 Terry Norris TKO4 (12), 2:55May 9, 1992 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC super welterweight title
31Win29–1–1 Glenwood Brown UD12Jan 18, 1992Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained WBA welterweight title
30Win28–1–1Ernie ChavezTKO6 (10), 1:51Sep 13, 1991 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
29Win27–1–1Luis GarciaSD12Jun 1, 1991Radisson Hotel, Palm Springs, California, U.S.Retained WBA welterweight title
28Win26–1–1 Aaron Davis UD12Jan 19, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won WBA welterweight title
27Win25–1–1Primo RamosUD10Aug 11, 1990Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
26Loss24–1–1 Julio César Chávez TKO12 (12), 2:58 Mar 17, 1990 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost IBF light welterweight title;
For WBC light welterweight title
25Win24–0–1Ramon FloresTKO1 (10), 1:57Jan 27, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win23–0–1Jaime BalboaTKO5 (10), 1:59Nov 20, 1989 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23Win22–0–1Courtney HooperUD12Sep 11, 1989 Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained IBF light welterweight title
22Win21–0–1John Wesley MeekinsRTD7 (12), 3:00Jan 21, 1989Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained IBF light welterweight title
21Win20–0–1 Buddy McGirt TKO12 (12), 2:00Sep 3, 1988Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won IBF light welterweight title
20Win19–0–1Martin QuirozUD10Jun 12, 1988 Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, U.S.
19Win18–0–1Ivan GonzalezTKO5 (10), 2:47 Apr 9, 1988 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win17–0–1Richard FowlerKO2 (10), 1:19Nov 4, 1987Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
17Win16–0–1Irleis PerezUD10Jul 11, 1987Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Primo RamosUD10Apr 19, 1987Pointe Resort, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Roque MontoyaUD10Feb 6, 1987 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Danny VargasTKO2 (10), 1:49Dec 11, 1986Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Draw12–0–1 Howard Davis Jr. SD10Aug 16, 1986 Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0 Harold Brazier UD10May 11, 1986 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
11Win11–0Jose RiveraTKO6 (10), 2:07Apr 3, 1986 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
10Win10–0Robin BlakeUD10Feb 2, 1986 Sudduth Coliseum, Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
9Win9–0Victor AcostaUD8Dec 21, 1985Pavilion, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
8Win8–0Carlos SantanaKO4 (8), 2:45Oct 16, 1985Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0Roberto MedinaUD6Jul 20, 1985Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
6Win6–0Hugo CarrizoTKO3Jun 29, 1985 Bellaria, Italy
5Win5–0Nery ReyesKO1 (6), 2:35May 17, 1985 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
4Win4–0Elias MartinezTKO5 (6)Apr 6, 1985 San Angelo, Texas, U.S.
3Win3–0Darrell CurtisTKO3 (6), 2:09Mar 13, 1985 Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
2Win2–0Dwight PratchettUD6Jan 20, 1985 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Win1–0Luke LecceTKO1 (6), 2:31Nov 15, 1984 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.

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References

  1. 1 2 HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Terry Norris fight.
  2. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Meldrick Taylor". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016.
  3. ↑ [ dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Meldrick Taylor arrested after standoff with police". ESPN . June 5, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Eldrick Taylor - BoxRec".
  6. ↑ "BoxRec: Login".
  7. ↑ "Meldrick Taylor - BoxRec".
  8. ↑ "BoxRec: Login".
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by IBF junior welterweight champion
September 3, 1988 – March 17, 1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBA welterweight champion
January 19, 1991 – October 31, 1992 		Succeeded by
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