Meldrick Taylor boxer
- bouts
- 47
- won
- 38
- lost
- 8
- draw
- 1
- Status
- inactive
- Division
- welterweight
- Debut
- 1984-11-15
- Height
- 5′ 7½″/171cm
- Reach
- 66″/168cm
- Age
- -
- Born
- 1966-10-19
- Death
- -
- Nationality
- USA
Meldrick Taylor (born October 19, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2002. He is a two-weight world champion, having held 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.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.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.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.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.
Date | Opponent | Last Opponents' Results | Place | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2002-07-20 | Wayne Martell | WWWWWW | Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen | LOST Unanimous decision |
2002-05-31 | Dillon Carew | WLLLDL | Boutwell Auditorium, Birmingham | WIN Split-decision |
1999-09-10 | Manuel De Leon | LLWLWD | SE Livestock Pavilion, Ocala | WIN Unanimous decision |
1999-08-26 | Tim Scott | LLLLLL | Roxy Theater, Atlanta | WIN Technical knockout |
1999-02-26 | Quirino Garcia | WWWWWW | Gimnasio Municipal "Jose Neri Santos", Ciudad Juarez | LOST Unanimous decision |
1998-08-28 | Hasan Al | WWWWWW | Aarhus Stadionhal, Aarhus | LOST Unanimous decision |
1998-08-06 | Rafael Salas | LLWLLW | Aurora | WIN Unanimous decision |
1996-11-26 | Darren Maciunski | WWWWLL | Blue Horizon, Philadelphia | LOST Split-decision |
1996-10-10 | Tommy Small | LLLWWL | Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington | WIN Unanimous decision |
1996-08-16 | Kenneth Kidd | LLLLLL | Jaffa Mosque Arena, Altoona | WIN Technical knockout |
1994-09-17 | Julio Cesar Chavez | WDWWLW | MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | LOST Technical knockout |
1994-05-07 | Chad Broussard | WWWWLW | MGM Grand, Las Vegas | WIN KO |
1994-01-29 | Craig Houk | WWWWW | MGM Grand, Las Vegas | WIN KO |
1993-05-08 | Henry Hughes | LLWLLL | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas | WIN Corner retirement |
1992-10-31 | Crisanto Espana | WWWWWW | Earls Court Exhibition Hall, Kensington | LOST Technical knockout |
1992-05-09 | Terry Norris | WWWWWW | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas | LOST Technical knockout |
1992-01-18 | Glenwood Brown | WWWWWL | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia | WIN Unanimous decision |
1991-09-13 | Ernie Chavez | WWWWLW | Arco Arena, Sacramento | WIN Technical knockout |
1991-06-01 | Luis Garcia | WWWWWW | Radisson Resort, Palm Springs | WIN Split-decision |
1991-01-19 | Aaron Davis | WWWWWW | Convention Center, Atlantic City | WIN Unanimous decision |
1990-08-11 | Primo Ramos | WWWWDW | Caesars Tahoe, Outdoor Arena, Stateline | WIN Unanimous decision |
1990-03-17 | Julio Cesar Chavez | WWWWWW | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas | LOST Technical knockout |
1990-01-27 | Ramon Flores | WLLWLW | Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City | WIN Technical knockout |
1989-11-20 | Jaime Balboa | WWLWLW | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia | WIN Technical knockout |
1989-09-11 | Courtney Hooper | WWWWWW | Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City | WIN Unanimous decision |
1989-01-21 | John Wesley Meekins | WWWWWW | Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City | WIN Corner retirement |
1988-09-03 | James McGirt | WWWWWW | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City | WIN Technical knockout |
1988-06-12 | Martin Quiroz | LLLWLW | Odeum, Villa Park | WIN Unanimous decision |
1988-04-09 | Ivan Gonzalez | WLWWWW | Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas | WIN Technical knockout |
1987-11-04 | Richard Fowler | LLLDLL | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi | WIN KO |
1987-07-11 | Irleis Perez | WWWLWW | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City | WIN Unanimous decision |
1987-04-19 | Primo Ramos | WWWWWW | Pointe Resort, Phoenix | WIN Unanimous decision |
1987-02-06 | Roque Montoya | LWWWLW | Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City | WIN Unanimous decision |
1986-12-11 | Danny Vargas | LWWWLL | Felt Forum, New York | WIN Technical knockout |
1986-08-16 | Howard Davis Jr | WWLWWL | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City | DRAW Points |
1986-05-11 | Harold Brazier | WWWWWW | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi | WIN Unanimous decision |
1986-04-03 | Jose Rivera | LWLLLL | Felt Forum, New York | WIN Technical knockout |
1986-02-02 | Robin Blake | WWWWWL | Civic Center, Lake Charles | WIN Unanimous decision |
1985-12-21 | Victor Acosta | LLWWLD | Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach | WIN Unanimous decision |
1985-10-16 | Carlos Santana | WWLLLL | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City | WIN KO |
1985-07-20 | Roberto Medina | WDWLWW | Scope Arena, Norfolk | WIN Unanimous decision |
1985-06-29 | Hugo Carrizo | LWLLLL | Bellaria | WIN Technical knockout |
1985-05-17 | Nery Reyes | WLLWW | Caesars Tahoe, Cascade Showroom, Stateline | WIN KO |
1985-04-06 | Elias Martinez | LWLLWW | Coliseum, San Angelo | WIN Technical knockout |
1985-03-13 | Darrell Curtis | WWWWLD | Scope Arena, Norfolk | WIN Technical knockout |
1985-01-20 | Dwight Pratchett | LLWLWL | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City | WIN Unanimous decision |
1984-11-15 | Luke Lecce | WWWWLL | Madison Square Garden, New York | WIN Technical knockout |