One of boxing’s most controversial stoppages has resurfaced in the aftermath of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven after veteran boxing figure Steve Tannenbaum exclusively told World Boxing News the modern debate “pales in comparison” to Julio César Chávez vs Meldrick Taylor.
The dramatic ending beneath the Pyramids immediately triggered memories of the infamous 1990 clash between Chávez and Taylor after referee Mark Lyson waved off the Usyk-Verhoeven fight with only one second remaining in round eleven.
However, Tannenbaum believes the circumstances surrounding Chávez-Taylor were far worse.
The longtime boxing executive later worked with Taylor during the final stage of the former champion’s career and even discussed the stoppage directly with referee Richard Steele years afterward.
Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
During the fallout from Egypt, large sections of the boxing world felt Verhoeven was still capable of surviving to the bell after climbing from the knockdown before Lyson intervened.
Tannenbaum agrees the stoppage was controversial, but says comparisons to Chávez-Taylor only go so far.
Taylor had dominated much of the 1990 unification against Chávez and was ahead widely on two official scorecards entering the final moments of the contest.
With only seconds remaining, Chávez dropped Taylor heavily before Steele halted the bout despite Taylor beating the count.
“I acted as Meldrick Taylor’s agent later in his career but I was not involved with him during what was one of the worst early stoppages in a major boxing match,” Tannenbaum exclusively told WBN.
“Taylor rose to his feet but referee Richard Steele stopped the contest with just two seconds left.
“Chávez would not even have had time to tag Taylor again had the fight continued.
“Taylor was not wobbled when he got up and two of the three judges had him ahead by wide margins.”
Richard Steele
Tannenbaum also revealed a private conversation he later had with Steele while working with Taylor years after the fight.
The answer he received never left him.
“I asked Richard Steele how he could stop such a huge title fight with only two seconds remaining and Taylor leading by so much,” Tannenbaum explained.
“His answer was: ‘I never look at the clock.’”
That line has haunted boxing fans for decades and immediately resurfaced online after the Usyk-Verhoeven controversy exploded across social media over the weekend.
However, Tannenbaum also pointed out a major detail many critics of the Usyk stoppage ignored completely.
Mark Lyson
According to Tannenbaum, Lyson may actually have given Verhoeven a chance to survive much earlier in the fight.
“Had Mark Lyson not given Rico time to recover and get his mouthpiece after being dropped in the eleventh, Usyk most likely would have finished him then and there,” said Tannenbaum.
“In fact, one can argue Lyson saved Rico and gave him a real gift.”
That view adds another dimension to the increasingly heated fallout surrounding the fight.
The WBA’s official version of events drew criticism after portraying the contest as a dominant Usyk performance despite many viewers believing Verhoeven had frustrated the heavyweight champion for long stretches.
Former Usyk promoter Alex Krassyuk also caused a stir by publicly stating he only gave Usyk three rounds on his own scorecard.
Despite the controversy, Tannenbaum believes boxing still witnessed nothing close to the level of outrage generated by Chávez-Taylor 35 years ago.
And after hearing Steele’s explanation years later, it is easy to understand why many still consider it the most infamous stoppage in modern boxing history.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
