Taylor Larson Prepares For Pro Debut in Early 2011
By Chris Robinson
When thinking of the most sought after trainers in the Las Vegas area, former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad instantly comes to mind. Possessing qualities that are both gregarious and secretive at the same time, Muhammad is a man who remains low key about much of his business and it’s obvious that his stable of fighters are very dear to him.
Muhammad currently works with former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, junior middleweight contender Ishe Smith, junior lightweight contender Lonnie Smith and former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, amongst other pugilists. His plate is always full but when I stopped by the H.I.T. Factory Gym to visit with Muhammad last month he was busy focusing on one individual in particular, someone still unknown to those outside of the Vegas area.
18-year old Taylor Larson is a budding amateur set to turn professional in just a matter of months. Born in Flint, Michigan, Larson would make the move to Las Vegas when he was just six years old and took up boxing after he was picked on in the sixth grade. He is now in rare company, as his duties are overseen by Muhammad as he inches closer to a new chapter in his life.
“I took it slow with Taylor because I wanted to develop him,” Muhammad said of his young pupil. “I had Taylor about a year and a half now and he’s starting to develop real good. He’s getting much stronger and he’s getting real good.”
When I touched bases with Taylor he had been sparring with junior middleweight Tyrone Brunson but on this day the Philadelphia fighter was nowhere to be found as Larson shadowboxed before hitting the heavy bag while Muhammad watched on. He has very slick moves that beguile certain assumptions one may have about him and seems to pack some nice power also, as evidenced by the thudding coming from the heavy bag.
Larson is around seasoned professionals on a daily basis and admits they have rubbed off on him.
“It’s given me a lot of experience, period,” he continued. “Ring presence, when to get in and out with combinations, how to listen to my coach, how to throw the right punches at the right time.”
Asked what it is like honing his skills in the Las Vegas area, Larson admits he loves the scene but his reasons vary.
“It’s pretty cool,” he continued. “You can go see fights whenever you want basically. You can see all the upcoming prospects and see what they are doing because you might be fighting them.”
Larson is tentatively scheduled to make his professional debut on the February 26th Top Rank card at the nearby Palms Hotel and Casino, but in the sport of boxing plans change by the minute. It’s obvious that Larson is soaking up everything like a sponge as he exudes excitement for what lies ahead and deep appreciation for having a coach like Muhammad.
“I can’t wait. It’s an amazing experience. He’s showed me so much. I had learned a lot but he took me even further.”
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. An archive of his work can be found here, and he can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
