30 years ago

Date: 17th September 1994

Venue: MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

Title: WBC World Super-lightweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: Showtime Pay-per-view

Julio Cesar Chavez
( 90 - 1 - 1 )
Weight: 140 lbs

Meldrick Taylor
( 32 - 3 - 1 )
Weight: 140 lbs

On Saturday, September 17, 1994, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas played host to a much-anticipated rematch between Julio Cesar Chavez and Meldrick Taylor, a fight with the WBC World Super-lightweight Title on the line. The match, promoted by Don King Productions and televised on Showtime Pay-per-view, saw Chavez emerge victorious over Taylor, retaining his title in his first defense during his second reign as the champion. Chavez, hailing from Culiacan, Mexico, with a record of 90-1-1, defeated Philadelphia's Taylor (32-3-1) by TKO at 1:41 in the eighth round.

The pivotal moment of the match arrived midway through the eighth round, when Chavez stunned Taylor with a powerful left hook. This punch sent Taylor retreating across the ring before he tumbled to the canvas, landing awkwardly on the seat of his pants. After Taylor had managed to regain his footing, referee Mills Lane interjected himself between the two fighters, clasping Taylor's neck and sorrowfully shaking his head. This signaled the end of the fight, a TKO victory awarded to Chavez.

This defeat was particularly devastating for Taylor, whose prime had seemed to recede into the past. After his initial loss to Chavez in 1990, Taylor managed to secure a welterweight title. However, his consecutive losses in 1992 to Terry Norris and Crisanto Espana were significant setbacks, nearly pushing him into retirement. The once-promising prospect from Philadelphia was now perceived as damaged goods, without many future prospects or the ability to draw significant attention.

The rematch opened on a hopeful note for Taylor as he danced around the ring on his toes, attempting to utilize his superior boxing skills to outmanoeuvre the aggressive Chavez. However, the match took a turn for the worse for Taylor in the sixth round. Chavez fired a straight right that struck Taylor with devastating effect, visibly hurting him and shifting the momentum decisively in Chavez's favor.

By the eighth round, Chavez swiftly put an end to Taylor's efforts. His decisive victory echoed the conclusion of their first match 4¼ years prior, and none could fault Mills Lane for replicating the actions of referee Richard Steele who had halted their previous bout. Chavez had made an emphatic statement with his victory, affirming his dominance in the super-lightweight division, while Taylor's future in the sport became a subject of uncertainty.