Mexican great Julio Cesar Chavez has revealed the best fighter that he ever crossed paths with.
Chavez is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters to have ever graced the sport, winning world titles in three weight classes throughout the course of his 25-year professional career.
He fought on no less than 115 occasions along the way, suffering just a handful of defeats before his career eventually came to an end in 2005.
Chavez still holds the record for the most world title contests, participating in 37 world title bouts during his tenure. He also made 27 successful world title defences during his career, a record that he shares with Argentina’s Omar Narváez.
In a feature with The Ring Magazine, Chavez didn’t hesitate to reveal two-weight world champion Meldrick Taylor as the best fighter he ever shared a ring with.
“I would land one shot and I would take four in return. He was quick. More than anything it was the fact he had real quick hands. By the time I landed one real power shot I was taking five, six in return. They weren’t hard shots, they weren’t power shots, but I couldn’t get in my range, I couldn’t get established.
In that fight I made a big mistake, which was trying to fight at his pace. That’s why down the stretch I was exhausted, I was completely exhausted. I found a way to do it but I was done.”
“I faced everybody. If you look at my record, all the fights I had, I had 37 world championship fights and I didn’t hand pick any opponents. But if I was to look at the best overall fighter, it would have to be Meldrick Taylor.”
Chavez and Taylor crossed paths with each other on two occasions during their respective careers, once in 1990 which was followed by their rematch in 1994.
The Mexican great defeated Taylor via 12th round stoppage in their first encounter back in March of 1990 to unify the WBC and IBF light-welterweight titles, extending his unbeaten record to 69-0 in the process.
Chavez walked away victorious in their second and final clash, stopping his American rival in the eighth round of their clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to retain the WBC super-lightweight title.
