34 years ago

Date: 17th March 1990

Venue: Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: WBC & IBF World Super-lightweight Titles

Promoter: Main Events & Don King Productions

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

Julio Cesar Chavez
( 68 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 139½ lbs

Meldrick Taylor
( 24 - 0 - 1 )
Weight: 139¾ lbs

On Saturday 17th March 1990, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, a boxing match of epic proportions took place. Julio Cesar Chavez, the undefeated warrior from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, and Meldrick Taylor, the rising star from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, clashed in a bout that would be seared in the annals of boxing history. With a perfect record of 68-0-0, Chavez weighed in at 139½ lbs while Taylor, boasting a record of 24-0-1, tipped the scales at 139¾ lbs. The fight was for the WBC (3rd defense by Chavez) & IBF (3rd defense by Taylor) World Super-lightweight Titles, promoted by Main Events & Don King Productions and broadcast by HBO World Championship Boxing.

The fight was a brutal affair from the start, but the early rounds were dominated by Taylor. His swift movements and calculated punches had Chavez on the back foot, but the Mexican's resilience was evident as he endured the onslaught. Despite Taylor's superior performance in the early stages, Chavez landed hard, single shots that started to swell Taylor's face, a clear indication of the physical toll the fight was taking on him.

As the fight progressed into the tenth round, the effects of Chavez's punishing blows became apparent. Taylor, sitting in his corner with his eyes almost completely shut, looked worse for wear. Chavez, seemingly unfazed by his opponent's earlier dominance, had managed to turn the tide. His punches, while fewer, were powerful and methodical, systematically wearing down Taylor.

Entering the twelfth and final round, the drama escalated exponentially. Chavez, seemingly down on the scorecards, intensified his attack, landing brutal blows to Taylor's head. With less than a minute left, Chavez landed a devastating right hand that visibly shook Taylor. Despite the punishing assault, Taylor bravely tried to keep his footing and fight back.

However, with just two seconds remaining, the fight took a turn that would be etched in boxing lore. Chavez landed another flush right hand that floored Taylor. Taylor managed to rise to his feet, but when asked by referee Richard Steele if he was okay, Taylor, disoriented and looking away, failed to respond adequately. Steele then made the controversial decision to stop the fight, awarding Chavez a TKO victory.

The decision was met with widespread disbelief and controversy, especially considering that Taylor was leading on two of the three judges' scorecards. However, the enduring image of Taylor, dazed and unable to respond, underscored the brutal nature of the sport. Despite the controversy, Chavez's never-say-die attitude was recognized and he took home $1.4 million, while Taylor earned $1 million. The bout was later named Fight of the Year and Fight of the Decade by The Ring Magazine, an acknowledgment of the thrilling, albeit contentious, showdown that took place that night.