 Taylor qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but was unable to compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.In 2007, he received one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes.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.