Aaron Pryor, what if?

[NYDominican]

Aaron Pryor began his professional boxing career in November, 1976. From Nov., 1976 till late June, 1984, Aaron's record was 34-0. However, by the mid 1980's, Pryor had a very bad drug addiction. From March, 1985 till mid December, 1990, Aaron's record was 4-1. Had Pryor not had that drug addiction, had Aaron fought very actively from July, 1984 till early December, 1990. ------

1. Do you think that Pryor could have solidified his legacy in boxing such as those of Bob Fitzsimmons, Sam Langford, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, and Eder Jofre?

If so, why? If not, why not?


Please explain.

[elmersalsa]

The guy, Aaron Pryor, had the talent. He was very talented. He could box and slug it out depending the situation he was. And threw punches in bunches. But, it is a shame that he didn't show those talents against Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard or Thomas Hearns while he was Jr Welterweight champion.

He even failed to make an unification showdown against champ Saoul Mamby. Or other fights with Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini or Donald Curry.

[BoxBuzz]

The thin man Beat Mancini, so that's probably not a mark against him. But he would never have signed to fight those other guys.....never not ever. And his management team wouldn't have either. Not in the cards, no way no how.

Doesn't matter what happened in the amats…..so forget that line of debate too. He couldn't have beat any of those names.

[elmersalsa]

The thin man Beat Mancini, so that's probably not a mark against him. But he would never have signed to fight those other guys.....never not ever. And his management team wouldn't have either. Not in the cards, no way no how.

Doesn't matter what happened in the amats…..so forget that line of debate too. He couldn't have beat any of those names.

I agree with you. The Fab 4 were too a notch or two better talentwise. Too tell you the truth, I don't think he could have beaten guys like Pipino Cuevas, Carlos Palomino or the great Wilfred Benitez at Welterweight.

[Nile4000]

I agree with you. The Fab 4 were too a notch or two better talentwise. Too tell you the truth, I don't think he could have beaten guys like Pipino Cuevas, Carlos Palomino or the great Wilfred Benitez at Welterweight.

. If he defended against Howard Davis Jr, he would have beaten him though.

[Duran1970]

I think he gives Leonard a go.
Not saying he'd win but not saying he'd lose either.
By many accounts Pryor got the better of Leonard when they sparred and even dropped Ray..and I'm assuming that's with bigger gloves and headgear..Pryor was to rough, team Leonard fired his ass..I think of ray getting dropped by a smaller Kevin Howard and struggled with a small whirlwind like Duran it's not unfathomable to think Pryor has a shot. He was a tremendous fighter.

[Onetimeonly]

Pryor had seriously no advantage over Leonard. He was a very good fighter so you can't say no chance, but he'd really be up against it. If you're going Kevin Howard might as well talk Bobby Joe young.

[Duran1970]

Pryor was a shell of his former self at that point..

[Onetimeonly]

Pryor was a shell of his former self at that point..

Yeah, Leonard was smack dab in his prime against Howard.

[Duran1970]

C'mon man, Pryor was coked out half blind...Leonard still had gas in the tank, he hardly fought

[Onetimeonly]

Leonard was coked out too. I hated Leonard more than you do. That's how outrageous you're acting.

[Duran1970]

Not even close

[Duran1970]

Yeah, Leonard was smack dab in his prime against Howard.

28 yrs old and 30 fights ? Ya he was more finished than a 33 yr old half blind junkie.

[Onetimeonly]

28 yrs old and 30 fights ? Ya he was more finished than a 33 yr old half blind junkie.

[chrisjs1985]

His style of fighter typically didn't/doesn't have a long shelf life. Plus he'd have gone into the welterweight division for the money. Starling and McCrory would be very, very difficult for him especially with more miles on his clock and Curry would have been a bridge too far. Let's say he gets real excited and follows Hearns and Leonard then he gets beaten handily by Ray and he gets iced by Tommy.

[Nile4000]

And a young Bobby Joe Young wasn't exactly a slouch either before 1984.

[Ambling Alp II]

For the record:

Ray Leonard defeated Kevin Howard
Aaron Pryor lost to Bobby Joe Young
Kevin Howard defeated Bobby Joe Young

[BoxBuzz]

Good record keeping Alp..........and also for the record.....a fighter is not just responsible for his talent and skill but also responsible for his behavior. Pryor had a weakness.....it was his character and commitment. Not to mention he was fairly over estimated, and rated.

[Duran1970]

Then why was he the most avoided fighter in the sport at that time? No lightweight or welterweight wanted anything to do with the guy..

[Nile4000]

Then why was he the most avoided fighter in the sport at that time? No lightweight or welterweight wanted anything to do with the guy..

He was initially offered a mid-to-high six figured sum to fight Ray, but he turned it down. Plus it didn't see he was in a rush to fight Saoul Mamby, who would have given him some problems.

[Onetimeonly]

Then why was he the most avoided fighter in the sport at that time? No lightweight or welterweight wanted anything to do with the guy..

He was avoided a bit at lightweight and moved up. He wanted a payday, just like McCallum. Leonard was retired commentating his win over arguello that would even get him in that discussion. No welter ever avoided him. Excellent fighter that timing didn't favor, again like McCallum.

[Duran1970]

Good record keeping Alp..........and also for the record.....a fighter is not just responsible for his talent and skill but also responsible for his behavior. Pryor had a weakness.....it was his character and commitment. Not to mention he was fairly over estimated, and rated.

Same applies to Leonard.

[elmersalsa]

Aaron Pryor's management team called off a fight with the great Roberto Duran in 1981. I think Pryor would have fought Roberto, but his management team turned it down.

[BoxBuzz]

Aaron Pryor's management team called off a fight with the great Roberto Duran in 1981. I think Pryor would have fought Roberto, but his management team turned it down.

Oh I think he was quite happy to accept their decision. He would never have lifted that pen to paper. You can bet he would have fired his managers if they pressed it.

[Ambling Alp II]

Same applies to Leonard.

Not at all.