Bernard Taylor (boxer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bernard Taylor |
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| Nickname(s) | The B.T. Express | ||||||||||||||||
| Rated at | Featherweight Super featherweight |
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| Height | 5 ft 6 in | ||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 69 in | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 26, 1957 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | |||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 51 | ||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 45 | ||||||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 22 | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Draws | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| No contests | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Bernard Taylor (born June 26, 1957) is an American former professional boxer. He was known for his amazing skills as an amateur boxer. He won a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.
Contents
Bernard Taylor's Amazing Amateur Boxing Career
Bernard Taylor had an incredible career as an amateur boxer. He won almost all of his fights, with a record of 481 wins and only 8 losses! This shows how skilled he was even before becoming a professional.
Olympic Dreams and a Special Medal
Taylor was chosen for the 1980 U.S. Olympic boxing team. However, he could not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics because the United States boycotted the games. Years later, in 2007, he received a special Congressional Gold Medal. This medal was given to 461 athletes who missed their chance to compete in those Olympics.
Amateur Boxing Achievements
Bernard Taylor won many important titles during his amateur career:
- 1972 National Junior Olympics Light Flyweight champion
- 1976 National AAU Bantamweight champion
- 1976 National Golden Gloves Bantamweight champion
- 1977 National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion
- 1978 National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion
- 1979 National AAU Featherweight champion
- 1980 National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion
Bernard Taylor's Professional Boxing Journey
Bernard Taylor became a professional boxer in 1980. He started his pro career very strong, winning his first 18 fights without any losses.
First Shot at a World Title
In October 1982, Taylor got a chance to fight for the WBA featherweight championship. He fought against Eusebio Pedroza in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Taylor was ahead for most of the fight. However, the fight ended in a draw, meaning neither boxer won.
More Championship Opportunities
Taylor continued to be undefeated for a long time. He had 33 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw when he got another chance at the WBA featherweight title. This time, he faced Barry McGuigan in 1985. Taylor lost this fight in the 9th round.
Years later, in 1993, Taylor had a third opportunity to win a world championship. He fought for the IBF junior lightweight title against John John Molina. Taylor lost this fight in the 8th round.
Other Titles and Retirement
Even though he didn't win a world championship, Taylor did win other important titles. He won the NABF featherweight title and the USBA junior lightweight title. He retired from boxing in 1994 after his next fight.
