By Eddie Mitchell

Bernard Taylor who was born in Charlotte on June 26, 1957, began his career in boxing as an amateur with an extraordinary record of 481 wins and only 8 defeats. He won the National Junior Olympics Light Flyweight title in 1972, finishing his amateur career as National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion in 1980.

In between he won

the National AAU Bantamweight title in 1976 and 1979 and the National Golden Gloves title at bantamweight in 1976, and the Featherweight title in 1977 and 1978.

 

An undefeated run of 34 fights was how Bernard began a professional career. He went on to box 368 rounds in 45 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. This 5′ 6″, orthodox fighter fought Irishman Barry McGuigan for the World Boxing Association title at Kings Hall in Belfast, losing by a TKO in the 8th round.

“The B.T. Express” fought in his hometown of Charlotte six times including a draw with Eusebio Pedoza in October, 1982 for the WBA World Featherweight title. The referee Stanley Christodoulou scored the fight 147 to 143 Hopkins. Judge Knud Jenson scored the fight 146-144 Pedoza and Judge Oscar K. Oppen scored the fight a draw 146-146.

In the other five fights in Charlotte Taylor knocked out Ruben Dario Herasme in the 7th round, Ray Garza in the 2nd round and Daniel Felizardo in 6 rounds. Tony Illanil went down in the first round and Darren McGrew in 3 rounds. Bernard won 22 of his fights by way of knock-out, a 43.14 KO percentage.

One of the knock-outs was against Calvin Grove in 1990, a win that gave Bernard the USBA Super Featherweight title. Taylor held the title until his final fight against Pete Taliaferro, which he lost on a split decision

In 1993 Bernard fought once more for a world title, this time in Puerto Rica against John John Molina. Molina, who had a 32-3 record, won by TKO in the 8th round.

Bernard Taylor now operates a trucking company in Knoxville, Tennessee.