The darts world is buzzing with controversy as a bold claim from one of its most flamboyant legends, Bobby George, has ignited a firestorm of debate. Known for his larger-than-life persona and glittering stage presence, the 79-year-old former BDO star recently stirred the pot by asserting that even a prime Phil Taylor—the 16-time world champion widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time—wouldn’t have been able to take down the sport’s reigning sensation, Luke Littler. George’s provocative stance has drawn a sharp rebuke from Chris Mason, a former PDC rival of Taylor’s, who didn’t mince words in dismissing the idea as “absolute b******s,” setting off a clash of perspectives that’s got fans and players alike picking sides.
George, a two-time BDO world finalist whose career spanned three decades, laid out his argument with the confidence of a man who’s seen it all. Speaking with his characteristic flair, he painted Littler as an unstoppable force, even against the backdrop of Taylor’s legendary prime. “Taylor was a great player, don’t get me wrong,” George conceded, acknowledging the icon’s towering legacy. “But I don’t think he would have beaten Littler, even in his heyday, because his scoring power is so good. His finishing is unbelievable.” For George, Littler’s mastery—particularly his lethal precision on double 10 and double top—sets him apart. “The only way he could probably have a chance of beating him is to take the double 10 off the board because that’s what he can hit every time,” he quipped, suggesting Taylor’s arsenal might falter against the teenager’s relentless accuracy.
At 18, Littler has already carved out a remarkable legacy. The reigning PDC world champion, dubbed “The Nuke,” stormed to the title in January 2025, becoming the youngest ever to hoist the trophy at just 17 years and 347 days old. His 2024 haul was equally staggering—titles in the Premier League, Grand Slam, World Series Finals, and UK Open, not to mention three televised nine-darters, including a perfect leg against Michael van Gerwen in Cardiff this month. That performance, a 112.5 average in a Premier League night win, underscored why George sees him as a cut above. “He’s got double 10 or double top, bang, straight in,” George marveled, doubling down on his belief that Taylor, for all his brilliance, wouldn’t match Littler’s firepower.
But Chris Mason, a 55-year-old former PDC World Matchplay semifinalist who faced Taylor at his peak, wasn’t having it. With a career that overlapped Taylor’s golden years, Mason brought a grounded, stats-driven counterpunch to George’s bold narrative. “It’s b******s, I’m afraid,” he fired back, leaning on hard numbers to dismantle the claim. “The averages are comparable. Taylor still has averages—on inferior boards—which still stack up against the elite of the last eight years.” Mason pointed to Taylor’s tournament benchmarks—113 against him over 24 legs, 108 and 105 in major events—as proof that the “Power” at his best was a force Littler would struggle to overwhelm. “This isn’t an opinion, just do a bit of research, dig a bit deeper,” he urged, suggesting George’s take ignored the historical data.
The clash comes amid growing chatter about a dream showdown between Littler and Taylor, orchestrated by their shared sponsor for a potential exhibition. Taylor, now 64 and retired from competitive PDC play since 2018, has largely stayed out of the fray, though he’s praised Littler’s meteoric rise. George, however, waved off the idea of Taylor stepping back into the ring, even for fun. “Playing a guy that’s one of the greatest players in the world at this time, he’s got no chance,” he warned, adding a cheeky jab: “If he does it for the money, then all right, take the bees and honey.” For George, pitting a faded Taylor against a peak Littler would be a mismatch—not a contest.
Mason, though, sees a different story—one where Taylor’s prime could hold its own. “How good would Taylor have been in this era? And pushed a bit harder and playing in all these events,” he mused, imagining a Taylor honed by today’s relentless schedule. “I love Bobby to bits, but that is just so wrong.” His defense isn’t blind nostalgia; it’s a call to recognize Taylor’s era-defining stats and adaptability, qualities that might have tested Littler’s youthful brilliance in ways George overlooks.
This isn’t just a spat between two darting voices—it’s a generational debate that’s got the sport’s faithful buzzing. Littler’s ascent has redefined what’s possible, his scoring power and cool-headed finishing drawing comparisons to the giants who came before. Yet Taylor’s reign—16 world titles, countless records—looms large, a benchmark of excellence that Mason insists still holds water. As Littler prepares for his next Premier League clash in Newcastle, the argument simmers: is he truly untouchable, or does history still have a say? For now, George and Mason stand firm, their words a dart thrown straight into the heart of the game’s past and present.
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