Fight Franchise

Well I've recently gained interest in this fight. It was just a little boy at the time of this fight so I never got to witness any of the action and hype live. What are your thoughts on the fight and the controversial stoppage? Here is a small summary of the events of the fight:

"Taylor won four more fights, setting up a unification bout with WBC world junior welterweight champion Julio César Chávez on March 17, 1990 in Las Vegas. 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 if he wanted to continue. Taylor nodded but did not respond verbally and only looked at his corner. Steele waved the fight off with just two seconds left, awarding Chávez a win by TKO."

I also wanted to include a youtube link to a special done by HBO on the events of the fight: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pFQ2oJ3asaM

My thought on the fight is that Meldrick Taylor should have been allowed to continue. He got up at the count of five and seemed competent. He was badly shaken, but with two seconds in the round I think he would have lasted just fine. It's really sad that after putting in all that effort in the fight, he was robbed of his victory. And it's pretty sad to see the condition he is in now, he can barely speak right.

I think you have to look at whether the stoppage was justified. We are always told that the referee has to look at the boxers safety first and foremost. Should the referee take into consideration how much times left and what round ?

It is an hard question to answer and if the ref thought he was in no fit state to continue then he did the right thing, regardless of time left.

I myself think though, that the ref could have let it continue, as if he wouldn't have waved the fight off it would have been the final bell anyway. I too feel a bit for Taylor.

i thought it nothing but a disgrace.There was a red light behind Taylor that Richard Steele had to have seen that was illuminated to indicate there was less than 10 seconds remaining. Taylor was not that hurt but exhausted nonetheless. But all fighters have an inbuilt clock so they know exactly when to flurry, etc to steel a round. Im sure the ref after all those years reffing would have know the same.
Great comeback from JC Superstar. I really feel Meldrick should have had his hand raised. Especially as it wrecked his career.

Agree with this post all day long. I've debated this fight on countless forums for a long time, and the point above is the logical answer IMO. A judge's job is to protect the fighters no matter what, not to score the time. Whether there is 2:59 left or two seconds, if the referee thinks with some conviction that a fighter is in no state to continue then he should stop the fight. Yes, it was terrible for Taylor to lose in that fashion after pretty much dominating the first three-quarters of the fight, but if anything Steele should be commended for the way he handled the fight, but unfortunately he is pilloried.

i dont think Taylor was as bad as a lot of fighters who have recovered to win though.

I thought a very poor decision by Richard steele at the time. I was outraged that it was stopped not only because of the "time left" issue, but also because Taylor was standing and ready to fight.........chavez was pounding him though and Steele had the closest view of a man getting just drilled in the head repeatedly. Sadly, Taylor was never the same after that fight, he had the fastest hands I'd ever seen, but something had changed with him after that bout.
So I could see why steele stopped it, but also one has to be aware of all aspects of the fight and the situation,.
A legendary fight, that cemented one legend and prevented another from being fully attained.

I thought the stoppage was premature, considering that Taylor was a fellow champion and should've been given the benefit of the doubt in the 12th round when he was clearly ahead on points.

A great great fight with a stink of an ending. Taylor fought his heart out and the end -well it still kills me when Steele waves it off.

the stoppage was justified, what if chavez had hit taylor again and he had been fatally injured, the fight took taylors prime, had he won the descision, his career wouldve gone the same way and tragically so wouldve his health, the damage had already been done. i recently acquired about 20 of taylors fights, what a fighter, floyd couldve learnt from him, in terms of heart and fighting guys that he didnt already know he could beat