Real sad for Taylor, because he outclassed Chavez for most of the fight, which i think Steel would have been well aware of. I remember watching the fight and a pal said to me around the 8th, "This guy looks better than SRL," and he wasn't far wrong either.
As for Steel's intervention, well it was one of the harshest i've ever seen but you have to take into consideration the quality of the punches JCC was hitting him with, and to be fair, Taylor looked pretty out of it. With Chavez being known as a strong finisher, it could be argued that Taylor hadn't paced himself, thus leaving him drained of energy for the final round. No doubt about it, Meldrick was in serious trouble and that's what Steel acted upon. As for stopping him, what choice did he have?.. Taylor as an experienced pro knows full well you have to look the ref in the eye, and he didn't do it..
Something did go missing from Taylor after that fight and i'd say that although technically correct, Richard Steel definitely stole a piece of Taylor's heart that night..
As for Steel's intervention, well it was one of the harshest i've ever seen but you have to take into consideration the quality of the punches JCC was hitting him with, and to be fair, Taylor looked pretty out of it. With Chavez being known as a strong finisher, it could be argued that Taylor hadn't paced himself, thus leaving him drained of energy for the final round. No doubt about it, Meldrick was in serious trouble and that's what Steel acted upon. As for stopping him, what choice did he have?.. Taylor as an experienced pro knows full well you have to look the ref in the eye, and he didn't do it..
Something did go missing from Taylor after that fight and i'd say that although technically correct, Richard Steel definitely stole a piece of Taylor's heart that night..
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