Aaron Pryor vs Alexis Arguello I: 30-Year Anniversary

[elmersalsa]

How could we forget this great fight that happened on a Friday, November 12th, 1982 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida?

The Hawk vs the Explosive Thin Man

Until this day, it was a classic fight for the ages. Two all-time greats went at it toe to toe for 14 unforgettable rounds. It was an exciting fight from start to finish. The great Alexis Arguello from Nicaragua was trying to win his fourth world title in his fourth division against a hungry champion like the great Aaron Pryor from Cincinnati, OH. Pryor was looking for the great payday and the world wide recognition.

Pryor was ahead on the scorecards when he stopped Arguello with 23 unanswered blows...I had him ahead by one point.

Where were you when this fight happened?
Was this fight the fight of the 80s in your view?
Was this fight reminded you of Emile Griffith vs Benny "Kid" Paret III?

I cried when Arguello lost. If there was a champion that deserved a record-setting fourth world crown, it should have been "The Explosive Thin Man" Arguello.

[elmersalsa]

In round 14th, Arguello and Pryor had a clash of heads. That dazed Arguello and Pryor noticed it and went for the kill. The famous black bottle did not had nothing to do with it in my opinion.

[yiddle]

great fight and thirty years ago just makes me feel old :(

[spudder56]

Two all time greats going head to head

[SaadOffTheDeck]

In round 14th, Arguello and Pryor had a clash of heads. That dazed Arguello and Pryor noticed it and went for the kill. The famous black bottle did not had nothing to do with it in my opinion.

That black bottle helped give him the energy to unleash 40 or 50 straight punches. Luis Resto said when Panama gave you that mixture your lungs opened up and you felt amazingly energized.

[Rocky Balboa]

H2H Pryor was/is the best 10st fighter in history, in my view.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I'd take Whitaker over him in a heartbeat.

[Rover]

I'd take Whitaker over him in a heartbeat.

I'd take Locche and Benitez. Haven't seen much of Loi, though I've read great things.

[elmersalsa]

This was only Arguello's second loss in a world title fight since 1974 when he lost in his first world title try against Ernesto Marcel of Panama. Ever since he beat the great champ Ruben Olivares of Mexico by a 13th round KO, Arguello won 19 title fights in a row in 3 weight classes! That is impressive. He is by through means, an all-time great.

[marchegianorock]

In round 14th, Arguello and Pryor had a clash of heads. That dazed Arguello and Pryor noticed it and went for the kill. The famous black bottle did not had nothing to do with it in my opinion.

I did not noticed the clash of heads but yes i have the fight and was when Pryor connected with straight left after that punch he tried the same combination but slept and yes his head clash in Arguello's face. Still was impressive how he finish Arguello like if was the first round throwing punches at high speed and power. The other man that can sustain 15 rounds without tiring was Salvador Sanchez if you see his fights he always have his mouth closed even in the later rounds. One time Sanchez says he could fight 30 rounds at his pace.

[elmersalsa]

In round 14th, Arguello and Pryor had a clash of heads. That dazed Arguello and Pryor noticed it and went for the kill. The famous black bottle did not had nothing to do with it in my opinion.

I did not noticed the clash of heads but yes i have the fight and was when Pryor connected with straight left after that punch he tried the same combination but slept and yes his head clash in Arguello's face. Still was impressive how he finish Arguello like if was the first round throwing punches at high speed and power. The other man that can sustain 15 rounds without tiring was Salvador Sanchez if you see his fights he always have his mouth closed even in the later rounds. One time Sanchez says he could fight 30 rounds at his pace.

I am glad you also noticed the clash of heads. It was like it dazed Arguello after that. Alexis did not throw a single punch after the clash of heads. Great observation.

[marchegianorock]

In round 14th, Arguello and Pryor had a clash of heads. That dazed Arguello and Pryor noticed it and went for the kill. The famous black bottle did not had nothing to do with it in my opinion.

I did not noticed the clash of heads but yes i have the fight and was when Pryor connected with straight left after that punch he tried the same combination but slept and yes his head clash in Arguello's face. Still was impressive how he finish Arguello like if was the first round throwing punches at high speed and power. The other man that can sustain 15 rounds without tiring was Salvador Sanchez if you see his fights he always have his mouth closed even in the later rounds. One time Sanchez says he could fight 30 rounds at his pace.

I am glad you also noticed the clash of heads. It was like it dazed Arguello after that. Alexis did not throw a single punch after the clash of heads. Great observation.

Yes you have a keen eye. It looks the same type of clash o heads like the one that took Gerald Mccleland against Nigel Benn Benn was out of balance and his head clash with Maccleland's face exactly the same type of clash of heads Pryor was off balance trying to throw a right left combination and his head clash against Arguello's face. I beleive Arguello was spend in the 14th he came up week and not throwing punches. But yes it will be forever the suspicious about the drug that was used in Pryor's bottle since the 2nd round.

[bollox]

Since there was no drug test after the fight...what's to say Arguello wasn't on something? Considering he had a bit of a drug history it's not a ridiculous thought......

[Rover]

Since there was no drug test after the fight...what's to say Arguello wasn't on something? Considering he had a bit of a drug history it's not a ridiculous thought......

Fair point.

[orbtastic]

From a 1986 interview with Peter Heller:

"Somebody gave him something, because if I was tired, he would have been tired too. Pryor didn't win the fight. The drugs made him win. Then I found out the Pryor people paid not to go to the exam that has to be done for any world championship fight. His exam never took place. They did mine, because I did it in front of people, before and after [the fight]. They never did it. They paid. The person that got the money told me."

[Rover]

From a 1986 interview with Peter Heller:

"Somebody gave him something, because if I was tired, he would have been tired too. Pryor didn't win the fight. The drugs made him win. Then I found out the Pryor people paid not to go to the exam that has to be done for any world championship fight. His exam never took place. They did mine, because I did it in front of people, before and after [the fight]. They never did it. They paid. The person that got the money told me."

Wait...this is an interview with Arguello, right?
Not the most objective source there.:)

[orbtastic]

He was tested. It's a fact.

[Rover]

He was tested. It's a fact.

I thought the commission failed to collect urine samples from both after the fight, though urine samples were taken before the fight from both, but I was mainly talking about the part about Pryor's camp's paying someone off not to test him.