Arnold Taylor facts for kids

Arnold Taylor (born July 15, 1945 – died November 22, 1981) was a famous South African boxer. He was a world champion in 1973, holding the WBA bantamweight title.

Arnold Taylor's Early Life

Arnold Taylor was born on July 15, 1945, to Muriel and Joe Taylor. He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. During his lifetime, South Africa had a system called Apartheid, which separated people by race.

Before becoming a full-time boxer, Arnold worked as a baker. He was a qualified confectioner, meaning he was skilled at making sweets and pastries. He would work at a local bakery during the day and then train for boxing at night.

Arnold Taylor's Boxing Career

Starting as a Pro

Arnold Taylor began his professional boxing career on May 20, 1967. His first fight was against Ray Buttle, and it ended in a draw. He fought Buttle two more times that year. In their second match, Arnold won the Transvaal Bantamweight title by knocking out Buttle.

Just a few months later, in February 1968, Arnold won the South African Bantamweight title. This was only his fourth professional fight! However, he lost this title in his next fight, being knocked out in the first round by Dennis Adams.

Winning More Titles

After his first loss, Arnold went on a winning streak, winning eight fights in a row. He fought Herby Clark three times, winning each match. He also fought in other countries like Eswatini (then Swaziland) and Lesotho.

In May 1969, Arnold won his third regional title, the South African Lightweight title. This was a heavier weight class than he usually fought in. Soon after, he got a chance to get revenge against Dennis Adams. Arnold dropped weight to fight Adams for the South African Featherweight title. He knocked Adams out in the eighth round, winning his third title and evening the score!

Arnold decided to focus on defending his Lightweight title. But he lost it in his first defense against Andries Steyn. Later that year, he fought Mike Buttle, Ray Buttle's brother, and won the South African Bantamweight title back.

Facing World Champions

In 1970, Arnold started fighting more experienced boxers. He faced Johnny Famechon from Australia, who was a former world champion. Arnold lost that fight. However, he then started an amazing winning streak of nineteen fights in a row! This included five fights in Australia and one in Zimbabwe.

Becoming a World Champion

After his long winning streak, Arnold Taylor finally got his chance to fight for a world title. On November 3, 1973, he challenged Romeo Anaya from Mexico. Anaya was the world bantamweight champion for both the Lineal and WBA titles.

Their fight was incredibly tough and is remembered as one of boxing's most exciting matches. Arnold was cut and knocked down several times. But he kept fighting! In the fourteenth round, Arnold landed a powerful punch that sent Anaya to the floor. Anaya couldn't get up, and Arnold Taylor became the new World Bantamweight Champion!

Defending the Title

After winning the world title, Arnold had two non-title wins. Then, he defended his championship for the first and only time against Soo-Hwan Hong on July 3, 1974. This was another classic fight. Arnold was knocked down four times during the match. He fought hard, but he eventually lost his title by a decision after fifteen rounds.

Later Career and Retirement

After losing his world title, Arnold's career was not as successful. He won four more fights but then lost two in a row, which led him to retire from boxing. He did have a rematch with Romeo Anaya in 1975, which he won by knockout. His very last fight was in November 1976, where he was knocked out by Vernon Sollas.

Arnold Taylor's Death

Arnold Taylor passed away on November 22, 1981. He was involved in a motorcycle accident while riding his eldest daughter's motorcycle. He died at the scene of the accident.

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
50	Loss	40–8–1 (1)	Vernon Sollas	RTD	8 (10)	24 Nov 1976	Anglo-American Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, England
49	Loss	40–7–1 (1)	Svein Erik Paulsen	PTS	10	21 Oct 1976	Messehallen, Oslo, Norway
48	Win	40–6–1 (1)	Dave Needham	PTS	10	8 May 1976	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
47	Win	39–6–1 (1)	Romeo Anaya	KO	8 (10)	27 Jun 1975	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
46	Win	38–6–1 (1)	Lothar Abend	RTD	3 (10)	5 May 1975	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
45	Win	37–6–1 (1)	John Mitchell	TKO	4 (10)	22 Feb 1975	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
44	Loss	36–6–1 (1)	Hong Soo-hwan	UD	15	3 Jul 1974	West Ridge Tennis Stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	Lost WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
43	Loss	36–5–1 (1)	Lorenzo Trujillo	PTS	10	31 May 1974	Showgrounds Hall, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
42	Win	36–4–1 (1)	Paul Ferreri	PTS	10	18 Mar 1974	Goodwood Showgrounds, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
41	Win	35–4–1 (1)	Guy Caudron	PTS	10	16 Feb 1974	Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
40	Win	34–4–1 (1)	Romeo Anaya	KO	14 (15)	3 Nov 1973	Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Won WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles
39	Win	33–4–1 (1)	Billy Waith	PTS	10	16 Jun 1973	Portuguese Hall, Turffontein, Gauteng, South Africa
38	Win	32–4–1 (1)	Jimmy Bell	PTS	10	28 Apr 1973	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
37	Win	31–4–1 (1)	Evan Armstrong	KO	4 (10)	28 Oct 1972	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
36	Win	30–4–1 (1)	Hansie van Rooyen	KO	6 (10)	13 May 1972	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
35	Win	29–4–1 (1)	Hansie van Rooyen	PTS	12	27 Mar 1972	Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Retained South African featherweight title
34	Win	28–4–1 (1)	Ugo Poli	KO	4 (10)	29 Jan 1972	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
33	Win	27–4–1 (1)	Chris Nel	RTD	7 (10)	27 Nov 1971	Glamis Stadium, Harare (Salisbury), Rhodesia
32	Win	26–4–1 (1)	Luis Aisa	PTS	10	30 Oct 1971	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
31	Win	25–4–1 (1)	Alberto Jangalay	PTS	10	30 Aug 1971	Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
30	Win	24–4–1 (1)	Memo Espinosa	PTS	10	3 Aug 1971	Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
29	Win	23–4–1 (1)	Turori George	PTS	10	14 Jun 1971	Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
28	Win	22–4–1 (1)	Willie Cordova	PTS	10	17 May 1971	Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
27	Win	21–4–1 (1)	Willie Cordova	PTS	10	3 May 1971	Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
26	Win	20–4–1 (1)	Chris Nel	TKO	10 (10)	29 Dec 1970	Amphitheatre, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
25	Win	19–4–1 (1)	Chris Nel	RTD	7 (8)	21 Sep 1970	City Hall, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
24	Win	18–4–1 (1)	Ray Buttle	TKO	8 (12)	15 Aug 1970	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Retained South African featherweight title
23	Loss	17–4–1 (1)	Johnny Famechon	PTS	10	11 Apr 1970	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
22	Win	17–3–1 (1)	Mike Buttle	TKO	6 (12)	6 Dec 1969	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Won South African bantamweight title
21	Win	16–3–1 (1)	Mike Buttle	TKO	5 (8)	15 Nov 1969	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
20	Loss	15–3–1 (1)	John O'Brien	PTS	10	30 Aug 1969	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
19	Loss	15–2–1 (1)	Andries Steyn	RTD	8 (12)	4 Jul 1969	Allan Ford Stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	For South African lightweight title
18	Win	15–1–1 (1)	Dennis Adams	RTD	8 (12)	24 May 1969	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Retained South African featherweight title
17	Win	14–1–1 (1)	Herby Clarke	PTS	12	12 May 1969	City Hall, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	Won vacant South African lightweight title
16	Win	13–1–1 (1)	Herby Clarke	DQ	6 (10)	11 Apr 1969	City Hall, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	Clarke disqualified for biting
15	Win	12–1–1 (1)	Henri Nesi	PTS	10	15 Feb 1969	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
14	Win	11–1–1 (1)	Colin Lake	DQ	3 (10)	2 Nov 1968	Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
13	Win	10–1–1 (1)	Robert Trott	TKO	3 (6)	7 Oct 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
12	Win	9–1–1 (1)	Anthony Morodi	PTS	6	5 Oct 1968	Lesotho National Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho
11	Win	8–1–1 (1)	Edwin Mbongwe	PTS	6	7 Sep 1968	Swaziland National Stadium, Mbabane, Swaziland
10	Win	7–1–1 (1)	Robert Trott	PTS	8	26 Aug 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
9	Win	6–1–1 (1)	Herby Clarke	TKO	9 (10)	12 Aug 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
8	Loss	5–1–1 (1)	Dennis Adams	KO	1 (12)	18 Jun 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	For South African bantamweight title
7	Win	5–0–1 (1)	Gerry Joey McBride	PTS	10	3 Jun 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
6	Win	4–0–1 (1)	Bobby Davies	PTS	10	29 Apr 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
5	Win	3–0–1 (1)	Andries Steyn	PTS	12	19 Feb 1968	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Won South African featherweight title
4	Win	2–0–1 (1)	Ray Buttle	PTS	8	11 Dec 1967	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
3	ND	1–0–1 (1)	Robert Trott	ND	4	25 Nov 1967	Ellis Park Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
2	Win	1–0–1	Ray Buttle	TKO	9 (10)	30 Jun 1967	City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa	Won vacant South African Transvaal 'white' bantamweight title
1	Draw	0–0–1	Ray Buttle	PTS	6	20 May 1967	Piet Potgieter High School Grounds, Mokopane, North-West, South Africa