Aaron Pryor
Name: Aaron Pryor
Alias: Hawk
Born: 1955-10-20
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′ 6½″ / 169cm
Boxing Record: click
Aaron Pryor Gallery
Official Biography:
(As sent by Mrs. Frankie Pryor, Aaron Pryor's wife, to BoxRec.com)
Witnessing the human hurricane that was Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor was like seeing Henry Armstrong and the whirlwind has not been seen since. Pryor's frenetic, punch-a-second style endeared him to fans around the globe. To the chants of "Hawk Time, Hawk Time," Pryor brought one thrilling moment after another to the crowds who thronged to see his fights during the 1980s.
Pryor, born in Cincinnati in 1955, was a terror in the amateur ranks (204-16), culminating as an alternate on the 1976 Olympic team. He turned pro in 1976 after the Olympics and quickly tore through the lightweight and junior welterweight ranks, mowing down such seasoned contenders as Johnny Summerhays, Johnny Copeland, Norman Goins, and Alfonso Frazier. His complete domination of his competition earned him a shot at legendary Colombian champion Antonio Cervantes in August of 1980. That night in Cincinnati, at Riverfront Coliseum, Pryor dismantled Cervantes in four rounds, and a star was born.
Pryor easily moved through the Jr. Welterweight ranks, and in 1982, Pryor and Alexis Arguello would face off in what was later named the Fight of the Decade by The Ring magazine. Pryor and Arguello engaged in toe-to-toe warfare for 14 rounds before the great Arguello finally succumbed to the equally great Pryor. The rematch, a year later, was much easier for Pryor, and he took out Alexis in ten rounds.
The Hawk defended his title eleven times and retired in 1991 with a 39-1 (35 KOs) record. As the WBA Jr. Welterweight Champ from 1980-1983 and the IBF Jr. Welterweight Champ from 1983-1985, Pryor firmly established his place in boxing history. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. In December 1999, the Associated Press voted Aaron Pryor as the "Greatest Jr. Welterweight of the Century."
Pryor went through some hard times due to drug addiction, but with the determination that made him a great fighter, "The Hawk" kicked his habit and is once again flying high. Pryor lives in his hometown of Cincinnati with his wife, Frankie Pryor, and their four children--Aaron, Jr., Antwan, Stephan, and Elizabeth. Pryor is an ordained deacon at New Friendship Baptist Church and travels the world making personal appearances and spreading his anti-drug message. Pryor remains active in the sport of boxing, training both professional and Golden Glove amateur boxers. The Pryor boxing legacy continues today, with Aaron Pryor Jr. and Stephan Pryor following in their dad's footsteps.
Amateur Achievements
- Amateur Record: 204-16
- 1973 National AAU Champion (132 lbs) - Outpointed Robert Newton of Boston
- 1975 National Golden Gloves (132 lbs) Champion
- 1976 US Olympic Alternate (132 lbs)
- 1976 National Golden Gloves lightweight Champion - Outpointed Thomas Hearns of Detroit.
- Amateur history, partial
Professional Achievements
- Professional Record: 39-1 (35 KOs)
- WBA Light Welterweight Champion 1980-1983
- IBF Light Welterweight Champion 1983-1985
Official Web site
Video vs. Tommy Hearns amateur bout
[2]
| Preceded by: Antonio Cervantes |
WBA Light Welterweight Champion 1980 Aug 2 – 1983 Stripped |
Succeeded by: Johnny Bumphus |
| Preceded by: Inaugural Champion |
IBF Light Welterweight Champion 1984 Jun 22 – 1985 Stripped |
Succeeded by: Gary Hinton |
