Not too far off He looks like he's been waiting for the chariot to swing down and let him ride for about 20 years
I don't have any jokes for this. I legitimately feel bad for Mel. It's not surprising that his life has lead to this. I feel bad that the HOF robbed him this year. He should have been headed in with Curry and Jackson. Instead, they gave the spot to Mel's son, ole big head, overrated ass McGirt. At least if he got in, he would have something to look forward to.
Crazy what happened to BOTH Taylor's - Mel and Jermain. I think both were nice guys, and I think that brain damage has altered both of them.
Years ago, I used to read all the books and magazines and the basic word on Meldrick Taylor was that he had the athleticism to do anything but by virtue of being born into the wrong city he literally couldn't avoid slugfests.
When Taylor whipped Buddy McGirt (who had just blown out Howard Davis Jr. inside a round) and was robbed against JCC by three goons: (King, Sulaiman and Steele) - he was one of the best fighters I ever saw. He is a Hall Of Famer all the way. He has been severely injured by Blunt Force Trauma, and needs to be institultionalized so he can begin treatment for CTE. I was angry when I first read this today, but thought it out more based on the poundings he received. I was at the Terry Norris fight as well, I'll tell ya he nearly got beaten to death by The Best Combination Puncher Ever, IMO.
Sad story. He was a terrific fighter for a short time, but had the misfortune of not only having to share 140 lbs with JC Chavez and suffering all that punishment, but also had a stacked 147 lb division he competed in right after the first JCC fight. He’s had serious health issues along with personal and legal troubles over the years. In addition to the punishment he took in the fights with JCC, Norris, Espana, Brown, and all those fights we didn’t see on TV after the 2nd JCC fight, I can imagine he took a shitload of punishment in Philly gym wars.
I have him Top Ten All Time At Super Lightweight He was a wonderful fighter to watch and not having him in the IBHOF is yet another black eye for that organization.
There probably isn't 10 guys in the history of the 140 who could beat the 89-90 Taylor. Pryor, Cervantes, Benitez, Floyd, Whitaker, if I'm naming a few. But probably not five more.
Taylor did have the fortune of coming along a few decades prior to the 3 time champ Randall Bailey's reign of terror at 140-147
