Terry Norris overwhelmed welterweight champion Meldrick Taylor with some devastating punches Saturday night, knocking him down twice before finally stopping him in the fourth round to retain his World Boxing Council super welterweight title.
Norris was the stronger fighter from the opening bell and wasted little time in establishing dominance over Taylor in what was a rare battle of two reigning champions. Taylor is the World Boxing Association welterweight champion.Norris knocked Taylor down twice in the fourth round and had him helpless on the ropes in a neutral corner before referee Mills Lane moved in to stop the fight at 2:55 of the round.
Taylor, who had to move up in weight to fight for Norris' title, appeared to have little of the hand speed that won him world titles in two lighter divisions and was unable to match the power Norris had in his punches.
Instead of moving around the ring, Taylor tried to match Norris' punches, a strategy that proved to be a mistake.