A day like today, Julio Cesar Chavez stopped Meldrick Taylor

March 17th
1990

In a truly memorable, controversial, dramatic and fantastic fight, Julio Cesar Chavez, stopped Meldrick Taylor at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas in the final seconds of the twelfth and final round! In so doing, Julio defended his WBC super lightweight title. Referee Richard Steele, ended the bout with just two seconds left on the clock, to save a badly battered and disorientated Meldrick. The high drama of the last gasp stoppage initially posed questions, but Richard´s performances was totally correct and completely justified, due to the terrible state Taylor was in. He suffered a double fracture to the cheekbone, a severely gashed mouth and internal damage. Meldrick Taylor was swiftly taken to the hospital to be treated. The Ring Magazine from New York considered this bout to be the best of the year, and then the finest of the decade!