Taylor/Chavez 1990

[LoftyDog]

If Steele knew that the fight was just about to end but waved it off anyways, then I think it was wrong... The end of the fight would have saved the fighter so there would be no reason to stop it.

If he wasn't really aware of the time because he was focused on Taylor, then I am okay with the stoppage.

But he didn't know exactly how much time was left. I think the lights or something were on that indicated 10 seconds were left, but all that doesnt tell him exactly how much time is left. 10 seconds is still enough time for Chavez to get off a shot or 2 if Talyor was really out on his feet.

[K-DOGG]

He was concussed. There was no attempt by him to show Steele that he was ok to continue. Maybe there wouldn't have been enough time for Chavez to inflict more damage, but would Steele know this for sure?
Taylor was in a terrible state. Steele did his job, but was criticised. Had he let the fight continue he may have been criticised a lot more.

I've seen the footage. Another camera angle than the one used during the fight clearly shows Lou on the ring steps, his left hand on the ring post, with a towel in his hand.....and Taylor was focussing right on him.

Taylor was not out.....exhausted and hurt; but not unconscious, nor unaware.

[Franko]

I've seen the footage. Another camera angle than the one used during the fight clearly shows Lou on the ring steps, his left hand on the ring post, with a towel in his hand.....and Taylor was focussing right on him.

Taylor was not out.....exhausted and hurt; but not unconscious, nor unaware.

I understand the point you're trying to make, but IMO if Taylor was so aware then why not use his initiative and make the referee aware that he was okay to continue the fight?
He wasn't okay to continue, and yes, Duva may have been a distraction, but had Meldrick Taylor been aware then he would have also been listening to the count, and to the referee.

[K-DOGG]

I understand the point you're trying to make, but IMO if Taylor was so aware then why not use his initiative and make the referee aware that he was okay to continue the fight?
He wasn't okay to continue, and yes, Duva may have been a distraction, but had Meldrick Taylor been aware then he would have also been listening to the count, and to the referee.

I'm not saying he wasn't buzzing; but who wouldn't be after that right hand? Have you ever been hit so hard you heard "the tone" as I like to call it? It drowns out everything. I honestly don't think Mel heard Steele speaking clearly and just presumed that Richard would let him go on because he got up so early in the count. That presumption and the distraction is what cost him the fight. He should have been looking directly at Steele, he should have said "yes, I'm okay" loud and clear.

I'm not saying Steele shouldn't have stopped the fight. I believe he was well within his right and job to do so given what Taylor showed him and given the punishment that Taylor had taken all night. I'm just saying it's tragic for Taylor because I feel the fight was stopped more due to him taking a boxing tradition for granted and Lou's mistake of climbing on the steps than it was stopped because he was hurt. If Duva never started climbing those steps, Mel never looks at anyone but Steele, he gives the nod, Richard waves them back together, the bell rings, and Taylor gets the win.

For Chavez it was one of the most dramatic knock-outs ever. For Taylor, it was one of the most tragic chain of events, outside of a ring deat, to ever occur. I feel for him; but I take nothing away from Chavez, nor do I blame Steele.

[DarkSpyder]

Yes he should have let it continue because there would have been nothing to continue to.

Chavez didn't knock him out in my opinion.

No, the stoppage would have still been questionable.

The stoppage is not questionable on Richard Steele's part. Simple as that.