THE STORY
On March 17, 1990, at the Las Vegas Hilton, Julio César Chávez faced Meldrick Taylor in a junior welterweight unification bout. With two seconds remaining in the 12th round, Chávez knocked Taylor down; referee Richard Steele stopped the fight, awarding Chávez a TKO victory despite Taylor leading on the scorecards. The decision sparked controversy and debate over referee discretion in boxing.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
Julio Cesar Chavez, Meldrick Taylor
WHY IT MATTERS
This fight remains a significant example of referee intervention in boxing, highlighting the balance between fighter safety and the integrity of the sport's rules. The controversy surrounding the stoppage continues to be a topic of discussion among boxing enthusiasts and officials.