Referee Tom Taylor has become the latest toast of the boxing world with big-ticket assignments in the recent Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios and Terence Crawford-Canelo Alvarez fights. He worked WBO/WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo’s seventh round stoppage of Filipino challenger Jayson Vayson in Indio, California, a few weeks back.
Taylor said believe it or not, the Pacquiao-Barrios and Crawford-Alvarez bouts were two of the easiest contests he’s ever worked. ‘They’re four excellent fighters, clean, don’t do anything illegal, don’t hold,’ he said. ‘I’ve been blessed and honored to work those fights.»
Asked to single out the best fighters he’s been in the ring with, Taylor declined to name names. ‘I could still do fights involving some of them so it’s best to withhold comment at this time,’ he said. But Taylor remarked he was amazed by Pacquiao who at 46, held Barrios, 16 years younger, to a draw. ‘I think Manny’s still better than 75 percent of the guys out there,’ he said.
Regarding the Collazo-Vayson fight, Taylor said he asked the Filipino’s corner about the challenger’s condition thrice. ‘His seconds know him more than anyone and before the sixth, I asked Vayson if he was OK and he said yes,’ related Taylor. ‘When Vayson’s corner signaled to stop it, I did. Then, I went to the corner to congratulate them for doing what they did. It’s not often you see a corner protect their fighter before he gets badly hurt.’
Carlos Costa, who was in Vayson’s corner with chief second Allan Alegria and manager Brico Santig, said the decision to stop the fight was difficult but prudent. ‘We understand that the outcome may not have been what we hoped for but we stand by our decision to prioritize Jayson’s well-being,’ wrote Costa in a report to GAB chairman Francisco Rivera. ‘It is our sacred duty to care for him at all times. After the fight, Mr. Taylor approached Allan, Jayson and Brico, congratulating them for the timely and wise stoppage. He remarked, ‘I hope all corners do as you guys did . very well done.”
Taylor, who once appeared as a boxing referee in an episode of TV’s ‘Quantum Leap’ series, has been assigned to work in different promotions, an indication of his worth. Golden Boy, Top Rank, Premier Boxing Champions and DAZN were among the outfits that have tapped his services. ‘For over 30 years, I’ve been doing the same training routine to stay in shape,’ he said. ‘The toughest challenge I’ve faced is to stop a fight. I know a fighter won’t give up, fighting’s his livelihood, it puts food on the table for his family.’