[1] Taylor turned pro in 1980 and was undefeated in 18 fights when he was given a shot at Panama's Eusebio Pedroza for the W.B.A.

The fight took place in Taylor's hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina in October 1982.

After building a lead in the first ten rounds of the fight, Taylor faded down the stretch and had to settle for a draw.

This time, the champion was Ireland's Barry McGuigan, who had dethroned Pedroza 3 months earlier.

Taylor did manage to win the NABF featherweight and the USBA junior lightweight titles, coming from behind to stop Calvin Grove in the latter fight.