Prime Aaron Pryor vs. a prime Sugar Ray Leonard? -------

[drunkenpiper36]

Leonard was naturally too big for him and probably even faster despite the extra size. Just a higher class of fighter all around. I don't necessarily think it would have to be a one sided slaughter as some have proposed, but definitely a fight Ray should be favored in.

[stmill42]

Actually, Ray admitted that he did indeed duck Pryor. He said it in two separate interviews, one with Burt Sugar, and the other guy I can't think of his name at the moment. I don't think Ray was really scared of Pryor, but Pryor wasn't that well known at that time like Duran and Hearns were and he was considered high risk, low reward for Ray. I've heard stories that Pryor used to beat Ray up in sparring and Ray even admitted that they Pryor would give him a working over and knocked him down several times.
When Pryor started showing up to public functions that SRL was speaking at and interrupting his speeches saying "When are you going to fight me?", the ruling bodies of the commmission took note and started trying to make that fight happen. In effect, SRL went up in weight to the loving arms of Tommy Hearns, RATHER than fight the number one in his division...Aaron Pryor!

Leonard learned alot about himself from the debacle with the first fight with Duran. One, dont get baited into a brawl based on pride. Two, know your limitations. Do I think Pryor would have won? Not 100 percent. Do I think he COULD have knocked SRL on his ass? Absolutely.

And believe me, so did Ray


Plus Pryor is quicker footed than Duran so it would be easier to track Leonard down.

Pryor had underrated defense, not as good as Duran, but he never keeps his head a sitting target, it's always moving. ?He also is so hard to defend against cause he's 2 fisted and very fast. So when Pryor closes the distance which is one of his strengths, he can force his type of fight and he has more power than Leonard and comparable speed to him

So Pryor had a very good chance at beating Leonard. Keep in mind, Pryor doesnt come straight forward with no defense like Chavez Jr does. He's more like Joe Frazier or Henry Armstrong or today's Roman Gonzalez. Even as he's coming forward he's hart to hit like these guys cause he can fight short.
Ray, Hearns nor Duran would fight Pryor. We can say - this fighter would have done this and this fighter would have done that. You don't really know till they fight. Hearns body guard had stated that Hearns didn't want any part of Pryor. That is why he jumped up to 154 after the first fight with Ray. Even Benitez and Cuveas dodged Pryor. I just think it is a injustice Pryor never got to fight none of the individuals mention. He was a great boxer who could brawl and box!!

So would Pryor/SRL been a great fight? Absolutely! Would SRL had an easy day with Pryor? Absolutely NOT!

We will never know who would have won that fight. But it would had been a fight that would rank as one of the greatest fights ever.

[Onetimeonly]

[elmersalsa]

I don't think that Aaron Pryor had what it takes to beat a guy like Sugar Ray. Sugar Ray had to many advantages over him: reach, height, speed, weight and underrated punching power. Does The Cincinnati Hawk has the chin to take welterweight punching power? Well, a slow and blown up featherweight almost took his head off. So, I imagine a faster guy with welterweight power would do to him?

It would be an entertaining fight, but this fight doesn't pass ten rounds. PLUS, Leonard was a very underrated body puncher. I don't think that at welterweight, Pryor beat these guys:
LEONARD
DURAN
HEARNS
Pipino Cuevas
Carlos Palomino
Wilfred Benitez
Donald Curry
Kid Gavilan
Carmen Basilio
Emile Griffith

[Counter-puncher]

. In effect, SRL went up in weight to the loving arms of Tommy Hearns, RATHER than fight the number one in his division...Aaron Pryor!.

[Onetimeonly]

. In effect, SRL went up in weight to the loving arms of Tommy Hearns, RATHER than fight the number one in his division...Aaron Pryor!.

Not the first, nor the last, ridiculously wrong timelines. I do have to say this one is a doozy. With all the mythical Leonard ducked Pryor nonsense I've read through the years. I can't recall anyone saying Leonard fled Jr welterweight after 5 or 6 fights to avoid Pryor. Stupidity aside, Leonard is about the worst stylistic match up I could think of for Pryor. Literally not one advantage.

[Counter-puncher]

It was ‘to the loving arms of Tommy Hearns’ that particularly tickled me

[Counter-puncher]

RATHER than fight AARON PRYOR

[Paci]

More like one of those great fights didn't happen. Leonard would have on after 15 rounds by having to work all night against that dynamo Pryor. SD for Leonard, cause is skillset is greater and both guys have shown greatness more or less.
And yes, low-pay out and high risk was a reason I have heard. If the money was right Leonard would have fought him. But didn't.

Would love, lets say see a Pryor vs Duran-match up.

[Onetimeonly]

RATHER than fight AARON PRYOR

Ducking a cold to chase after cancer.

[zuru]

RATHER than fight AARON PRYOR

Ducking a cold to chase after cancer.

I agree.I can't envision ANY scenario that Pryor beats Leonard ..Leonard beats him like a living heavybag that bleeds.He pummels him to a 12th rd ko

[Ezzard]

One of those fights that sound good on paper... Two champs... But in reality it's an easy night for Ray. Pryor got dropped a lot. He gets bounced here.

[TheGoods]

Pryor beats Leonard. And it would have been beautiful to watch.


WHAT TIME IS IT?

[elmersalsa]

Pryor beats Leonard. And it would have been beautiful to watch.


WHAT TIME IS IT?

You must be a Hawk fan or you must be from Cincinnati. You have opened a can of worms in here.

[BoxBuzz]

No doubt Pryor beats Leonard.........

It would be an absolute certainty that Aaron would beat Ray to the airport in a frantic desperate dash to get the hell out of town, at least 6 hours before any scheduled bout with Ray.

[gilgamesh]

Leonard would've won handily. If I said that already in this thread, well...now I said it twice.

[Ghost Town Ghost]

In effect, SRL went up in weight to the loving arms of Tommy Hearns, RATHER than fight the number one in his division...Aaron Pryor!

That is classic!

[Ambling Alp II]

Pryor beats Leonard. And it would have been beautiful to watch.


WHAT TIME IS IT?

Time for you to wake up from your dream.

[margaret thatcher]

Ray had too many tools

[GPTM1403]

Considering the comparative levels of skills, speed, strength, etc, the difference in size that Leonard enjoys actually counts for something in itself. Just seems like a step too far.

[nobleart1978]

I don't understand the mis placed belief that Leonard ducked Pryor.

1. Leonard was out of boxing because of a detached retina when Pryor was in his prime

2. Pryor was 4 inches shorter than Leonard and half a stone lighter.

Pryor was, most probably, the finest light welter ever. But, in my opinion, no way would he have defeated SRL

[oogiebe]

Even with a "special mixture" in a brown taped bottle, SRL tames Pryor.

[Nile4000]

I don't understand the mis placed belief that Leonard ducked Pryor.

1. Leonard was out of boxing because of a detached retina when Pryor was in his prime

2. Pryor was 4 inches shorter than Leonard and half a stone lighter.

Pryor was, most probably, the finest light welter ever. But, in my opinion, no way would he have defeated SRL

Or Curry, Starling, and McCrory.

[Nile4000]

Even with a "special mixture" in a brown taped bottle, SRL tames Pryor.

Indeed. .

[Duran1970]

I don't understand the mis placed belief that Leonard ducked Pryor.

1. Leonard was out of boxing because of a detached retina when Pryor was in his prime

2. Pryor was 4 inches shorter than Leonard and half a stone lighter.

Pryor was, most probably, the finest light welter ever. But, in my opinion, no way would he have defeated SRL

Or Curry, Starling, and McCrory.

He'd beat starling