Meldrick Taylor vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. @ 140.

[VG_Addict]

Who would win in this high-speed battle?

I say Floyd. He had the longer reach, the better defense, and the higher ring IQ. Taylor wasn't the smartest fighter. We're talking about a guy who decided to stand and trade with Chavez.

[p4pking]

I agree but it would have been tight, Taylor was a good shade faster than anyone he ever fought and it would certainly give him big problems. Chavez broke Taylor down and really killed the body throughout the fight, I don't think Floyd could or would try to do that kind of damage, it would be him who would want to avoid trading in this one.

[VG_Addict]

I agree but it would have been tight, Taylor was a good shade faster than anyone he ever fought and it would certainly give him big problems. Chavez broke Taylor down and really killed the body throughout the fight, I don't think Floyd could or would try to do that kind of damage, it would be him who would want to avoid trading in this one.

Floyd has a 6 inch reach advantage. He could just pick off Taylor.

Also, as fast as Taylor was, he wasn't that hard to hit.

[p4pking]

No, but he was really good at landing punches was my point You're probably right, it's just hard to say because we might have seen more from Taylor if he hadn't run into Chavez. The guy that beat Buddy McGirt(who was a great boxer with power and was hard to hit) is a tough fight for Floyd the way I see it.

[Spicoli]

As skilled as Taylor was with McGirt and Davis, he was equally stubborn and could be left on flat feet trying to shoot off combos. He never faced the mobility of a Mayweather who I think would leave him in lurches and forced to play aggressor.

[mikeeod]

As skilled as Taylor was with McGirt and Davis, he was equally stubborn and could be left on flat feet trying to shoot off combos. He never faced the mobility of a Mayweather who I think would leave him in lurches and forced to play aggressor.

Agree. In my opinion, Meldrick had the faster hands and was the more fearless of the two. He would've given Floyd some serious trouble, and I don't think a decision win is out of the question if he catches Floyd on the right night (like Castillo and Maidana did).

Fast hands are not enough to beat Floyd, however, because Floyd uses his legs to control distance and real estate extremely well. Prime Floyd used his jab VERY well, when he needed to, and this would've been a fight where he needed to. I see Floyd boxing smartly behind the jab, losing some rounds, but coming on late to secure the close win.

As a side note, as impressive as Meldrick was in beating McGirt, if I recall correctly, but had some kind of inner ear infection or trauma that affected his equilibrium. Fighters always fight hurt, so this may just be an excuse, but I think it was a valid factor and had some affect on the outcome.

[Ron Swanson]

Love Taylor but Floyd is a far better boxer. Like, not close at all. He would have been left in lurches as Spicoli said. Taylor's physical advantages would have made it interesting but not competitive down the stretch.(think Pacquiao)

[jon09]

Taylor was fast but it would have been a duplicate of Mayweather vs Berto.

[Master]

Taylor could use his speed to win and Floyd never punched hard enough to bother Meldrick so he could take the risks to land his multiple shots. Floyd never stayed long enough at 140lb.

[VG_Addict]

Taylor could use his speed to win and Floyd never punched hard enough to bother Meldrick so he could take the risks to land his multiple shots. Floyd never stayed long enough at 140lb.

Taylor didn't hit that hard either. I think Floyd would walk him down.

[Master]

Taylor could use his speed to win and Floyd never punched hard enough to bother Meldrick so he could take the risks to land his multiple shots. Floyd never stayed long enough at 140lb.

Taylor didn't hit that hard either. I think Floyd would walk him down.

Floyd did not stop a top quality boxer once he moved up the weights.

[Sleepwalker]

Taylor was fast but it would have been a duplicate of Mayweather vs Berto.

You're not giving Taylor enough credit.