BoxRec

Liking Mayweather by UD. The edge in speed would be crucial, and Pryor was never the hardest to hit.

Pryor was easier to hit than a drunk fat chick.

Pryor was also willing to get off the mat and whoop his opponent into submission, something Floyd would have a problem with. Floyd needs to control the pace. Can't do that with someone like Pryor. How can floyd tame the unstoppable? Now comparing wills, look what breaking his hand in the ring did to Floyd? Pryor would never be on his knees like that. People forget this guy is like 35 - 1 fighting with a detached retina in one eye? Can superfloyd conqurer something like that?

He wasn't willing to get off the mat and sign to meet anyone besides Hearns and Leonard at 147, or even fight the top contenders at 140. He was afraid of Duran.

Check your history. He called Leonard out several times and he did beat hearns in the amateurs. He was the one who broke Hearn's nose.

Woe to those who know Pryor first and foremost by his wins over Arguello.....for they are forever destined NOT to get the big picture on this guy. Duran would have mopped the canvas up with him as would Hearns or Leonard in the Pro years. He was locomotive like on occasion....especially when he was runnin' on diesel fuel.

Ox.....you truly are brave to buck the Pryor lovers in this district. However....I spent some time in his backyard and do know much about which I speak on this subject.
His "prime" can be defined in around 3 fights and a blue bottle. AAX2 and ACX1 and that effervescent and stimulating "special mixture".

BoxBuzz wrote: Ox.....you truly are brave to buck the Pryor lovers in this district. However....I spent some time in his backyard and do know much about which I speak on this subject.
His "prime" can be defined in around 3 fights and a blue bottle. AAX2 and ACX1 and that effervescent and stimulating "special mixture".

- Go ahead and amuse me by speaking much more on this subject.

IKSRTFO wrote:Check your history. He called Leonard out several times and he did beat hearns in the amateurs. He was the one who broke Hearn's nose.

Leonard actually offered Pryor a fight after Pryor-Johnson, but Leonard got injured in training and retired early. I have Pryor-Hearns on my hard drive. It was 1976, and Hearns was 17 years old, throwing wide, looping shots. Pryor didn't rush Hearns, he just boxed him on the outside. The Hearns of 1981 would have slaughtered him.

But the thing about Pryor is that he only wanted to fight Leonard and Hearns. He didn't want Duran, he didn't want Benitez, he didn't want Saoul Mamby, and he didn't want any of the other champions at 140 and 147.

It's amazing that one only has to suggest that Mayweather might not get a dominant win against some all time great of another for one of No Money's boneheaded fans leap into the breach with a "stop the hating" comment. I think this time it came after -- what? -- three posts??

Remarkable.

Pryor, easily, by the way.

Ox Baker wrote:

IKSRTFO wrote:Check your history. He called Leonard out several times and he did beat hearns in the amateurs. He was the one who broke Hearn's nose.

Leonard actually offered Pryor a fight after Pryor-Johnson, but Leonard got injured in training and retired early. I have Pryor-Hearns on my hard drive. It was 1976, and Hearns was 17 years old, throwing wide, looping shots. Pryor didn't rush Hearns, he just boxed him on the outside. The Hearns of 1981 would have slaughtered him.

But the thing about Pryor is that he only wanted to fight Leonard and Hearns. He didn't want Duran, he didn't want Benitez, he didn't want Saoul Mamby, and he didn't want any of the other champions at 140 and 147.

Just like Floyd doesn't want ANY champions at 147. But the argument on Duran, Leonard, and Hearns beating Pryor is useless in this thread because each one of those would have beaten Mayweather also. :idea:

Ox Baker wrote: But the thing about Pryor is that he only wanted to fight Leonard and Hearns. He didn't want Duran, he didn't want Benitez, he didn't want Saoul Mamby, and he didn't want any of the other champions at 140 and 147.

- No, Ox, need to triple check your history. The only overlap Pryor had with Duran in any division is when Pryor turns pro at the tail end of Duran's lightweight reign.

Pryor had to move up a division for a title shot against Cervantes in the middle of Duran/Leonard series. He would've had to jump two more divisions to fight the loser Duran who never made the welter limit again. Benitez was already the JrMid champ

Ox, You're easier to correct than a fat drunk chick............. 8)

Pryor was magnificently managed, the ONLY risk ever taken was Alexis, and I give credit that with just a little energy boost he did pull those off well. But even that risk was thought our carefully and calculated to be of right timing. Of course management timing was especially right with an aging Cervantes. He knew his chances with Leonard and Hearns were slim but the money was worth what even he knew would be losses. Shortest "prime" in the history of the sport, and his general competition was not stellar. He would not have come within a country mile of Duran or Benetiz regardless of the happenstance you want to bring to attention here. I doubt he would have signed to fight any of the big names mentioned with the possible exception of Ray whom he simply would have taken the loss and the payday. If he simply would have faced all the competition available at the time he would not be enjoying such pop support.

Like most people say "avoidance defined his career". Ironic how the truth has been turned on it's head in popular belief. The rumors of everyone avoiding him were started, circulated and promoted by Pryor inc. And as any good advertising campaign will do, it certainly has produced results.

BoxBuzz wrote:Pryor was magnificently managed, the ONLY risk ever taken was Alexis, and I give credit that with just a little energy boost he did pull those off well. But even that risk was thought our carefully and calculated to be of right timing. Of course management timing was especially right with an aging Cervantes. He knew his chances with Leonard and Hearns were slim but the money was worth what even he knew would be losses. Shortest "prime" in the history of the sport, and his general competition was not stellar. He would not have come within a country mile of Duran or Benetiz regardless of the happenstance you want to bring to attention here. I doubt he would have signed to fight any of the big names mentioned with the possible exception of Ray whom he simply would have taken the loss and the payday. If he simply would have faced all the competition available at the time he would not be enjoying such pop support.

Like most people say "avoidance defined his career". Ironic how the truth has been turned on it's head in popular belief. The rumors of everyone avoiding him were started, circulated and promoted by Pryor inc. And as any good advertising campaign will do, it certainly has produced results.

- The notion that Pryor had any sophistication at any point of his promotional career doesn't hold water. The guy was mismanaged plain and simple. He was barely more than a local regional fighter until the Arguello series where he starts straying from Ohio more.

NAMES por favor. You claim to have inside info, but are curiously shy to name names or events. Who are all these steller fighters he was supposed to fight other than Leonard and Hearns who had bigger fish to fry,

BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote:

BoxBuzz wrote:Pryor was magnificently managed, the ONLY risk ever taken was Alexis, and I give credit that with just a little energy boost he did pull those off well. But even that risk was thought our carefully and calculated to be of right timing. Of course management timing was especially right with an aging Cervantes. He knew his chances with Leonard and Hearns were slim but the money was worth what even he knew would be losses. Shortest "prime" in the history of the sport, and his general competition was not stellar. He would not have come within a country mile of Duran or Benetiz regardless of the happenstance you want to bring to attention here. I doubt he would have signed to fight any of the big names mentioned with the possible exception of Ray whom he simply would have taken the loss and the payday. If he simply would have faced all the competition available at the time he would not be enjoying such pop support.

Like most people say "avoidance defined his career". Ironic how the truth has been turned on it's head in popular belief. The rumors of everyone avoiding him were started, circulated and promoted by Pryor inc. And as any good advertising campaign will do, it certainly has produced results.

- The notion that Pryor had any sophistication at any point of his promotional career doesn't hold water. The guy was mismanaged plain and simple. He was barely more than a local regional fighter until the Arguello series where he starts straying from Ohio more.

NAMES por favor. You claim to have inside info, but are curiously shy to name names or events. Who are all these steller fighters he was supposed to fight other than Leonard and Hearns who had bigger fish to fry,

The guy went something like 39-1 with 35 kayos (undefeated before an ill-advised comeback), won a world's title defeating an all-time great (Cervantes) and defending twice against another (Arguello), made millions in his ring career, and is know enshrined in the HOF. I only wish, had I ever boxed pro, I would have had somebody mismanage me like that!!

BroughtonRulesRefuge wrote:- The notion that Pryor had any sophistication at any point of his promotional career doesn't hold water. The guy was mismanaged plain and simple. He was barely more than a local regional fighter until the Arguello series where he starts straying from Ohio more.

Let me guess. You read the cities where his fights took place on Boxrec, right? And then you made this post? Pryor was a big deal. His fights were on national TV, and he was a big draw. The 1980s were different from today. Boxing wasn't centered around Las Vegas and New Jersey; gambling was only a small part of boxing revenue. Just because guys like Tony Lopez and Aaron Pryor fought in their hometowns doesn't mean they weren't known on a national level.

Oh, by the way. Pryor ducked Leonard. Here's a link to a Sports Illustrated article quoting Pryor saying, "I'm going to turn down a $500,000 offer to fight Ray Leonard."

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ ... /index.htm

More about Pryor's shenanigans:

Smith, meanwhile, was working on a $250,000 fight against Saoul Mamby, then the WBC junior welterweight champ, to unify the title. But Theresa got to Pryor first and shot him in the midst of a quarrel. The bullet, a .22, went through his right forearm, grazed his chest and wound up in his coat pocket. Later, Theresa said she had shot him because she loved him, and they later reconciled. Pryor told LaRosa that the incident was LaRosa's fault, because he tried to mediate their domestic problems.

By now Wells Fargo had caught up with Smith, and the Mamby fight was canceled. The next thing LaRosa heard, while watching the television news, was that Pryor had fired him. Pryor had also replaced his attorney of the moment.

"Aaron, what are you doing?" LaRosa asked. "I've got a contract for you to fight Roberto Duran for $750,000."

"No, I don't want to fight him. My new attorney told me not to sign anything until you and I work out a new contract." So much for the firing of LaRosa.

Ox Baker wrote: Oh, by the way. Pryor ducked Leonard. Here's a link to a Sports Illustrated article quoting Pryor saying, "I'm going to turn down a $500,000 offer to fight Ray Leonard."

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ ... /index.htm
.

- Leonard's lucky Pryor didn't slap him silly for that piffle.

There's also video of them at a luncheon where Leonard indicates that no fight will be forthcoming. Means as much as your piddling offer. I never stated either ducked each other so your chasing your tail here Ox. The fight never fit in with Leonard's bigger plans for Hearns and then being injured and retiring. Pryor saw Hearns and Leonard as the roads to riches and legacy.

As far as the inane Duran offer, if you can't see Pryor is in the middle of both a domestic quarrel and a legal one where he's already signed with an attorney to renegotiate their contract, there's no help for ya. How anyone thinks this is an example superior management is beyond me. These are just porkies told by shady parties. I'll repeat it for the hard of hearing, there was never any overlap with Duran save Pryor's first 10 fights by which time Duran vacated his title and Pryor's division permantly. Might as well be claiming Marvin ducked Holmes since the silliest stuff gets floated around here.

At any rate, Pryor was a loose cannon careening out of control much like happened with Tyson and was lucky to make as many fights as he did before the wheels fell off. He was still the best prime and the most destructive 140 lber in boxing history.

I love all this tearing down of a Boxing Hall of Famer (Pryor)......one who retired with a single loss, and that came only because he lunched-out in the ring (began praying,lol), and was counted-out...aside from that, he likely retires undefeated...8)

Pryor was simply kingpin over a weight-class that had no other notable fighters in it...nobody wanted to fight him...he couldn't get fights against the BIG names of his era because the reward wasn't worth the risk...Pryor had to settle on fighters moving up in weight, like Arguello, to land BIG fights...

And last I checked, Arguello is better than anyone found on Mayweather, Jr.'s resume, and Pryor stopped not once, but twice...and it wasn't because Arguello didn't try...again, he landed shots to Pryor that would have rendered most deaf & dumb...

Lastly, I believe in a Mayweather, Jr./Pryor matchup would come down to how well Mayweather stood up to the pressure Pryor would certainly apply, not to mention the non-stop punching...like a daggone windmill,lol...in a 12 rounder, Pryor by UD...in a 15 rounder, Pryor by TKO/KO...

Arguello was good at 126 and 130, but at 135 he'd already started slowing down, and he simply was never a top jr. welterweight, Ring magazine ranking aside. Corrales was a bigger danger at 130 than Arguello was at 140. Heck, Pryor was petrified by an older Duran at 154. He'd probably be afraid of De la Hoya at 154, who was much closer to his prime weight.

If Pryor had a decent slug of the monkey madman bazooka drink that he downed in the first Arguella fight, old Floyd would have no chance.

It would have to be Hawk time, with or without the mixed water.

(Is it true that Panama Lewis said that when he reffered to the bottle "the one I mixed" he was actually referring to a mix of hot and cold water ie: a luke warm water drink which is easier on the stomach and nothing more sinister than that?)

I always thought the whole 'special drug drink' conspiracy people love to jump on was hogwash. What illegal substance exactly could you put into the body of a guy who'd just fought 12 hard rounds and he'd suddenly turn into Superman with no side effects??

dempseyfire wrote:I always thought the whole 'special drug drink' conspiracy people love to jump on was hogwash. What illegal substance exactly could you put into the body of a guy who'd just fought 12 hard rounds and he'd suddenly turn into Superman with no side effects??

Aw, don't spoil it for them. Bobby Boxbuzz loves that story.

forcefraser wrote:(Is it true that Panama Lewis said that when he reffered to the bottle "the one I mixed" he was actually referring to a mix of hot and cold water ie: a luke warm water drink which is easier on the stomach and nothing more sinister than that?)

- In the day he claimed the bottle was mixed with peppermint schnapps, a common boxing stimulant used for decades prior.

Nobody will ever know what Arguello and Pryor were or weren't on, so it's a moot point. It was a tight fight with Arguello ahead on 2 of 3 cards. Both fighters came out in a rest mode after a frenetic slugfest in the 13th, and after some light sparring doing nothing, Pryor leaped in and 15 sec later, that was it. The lightest effort put forth by either in the fight thus far.

Arguello got lulled into false security sleep and got shocked. Best modern fight ever IMO.

Panama Lewis doesn't have the cleanest of reputations. I think it's widely accepted that whatever was in the bottle was illegal.

Larry Holmes had a blue bottle he often asked for...

Pryor has a good chance here because I think the styles are good for him. But I do agree that timing had a lot to do with Pryor's won/loss record. And yes, he would have got scrambled by Leonard, Hearns or Duran.

He barely beat Dujuan Johnson. How the hell would he beat Saoul Mamby, let alone Floyd Mayweather?

dempseyfire wrote:I always thought the whole 'special drug drink' conspiracy people love to jump on was hogwash. What illegal substance exactly could you put into the body of a guy who'd just fought 12 hard rounds and he'd suddenly turn into Superman with no side effects??

100% Pure Bolivian Marching Powder perhaps?