BoxRec

How would Ayala have fared against these guys.
(1)Duran,a prime Duran at 154,had the skills to frustrate and beat just about anyone.I think he would school Ayala much like he did Davey Moore.Duran by decision
(2)Hearns,with inhuman advantages in speed,power,& reach,Hearns should never lose.But he proved against Barkley,and James Kinchen,that a rugged durable fighter,can walk him down,and win.Hearns chin was his weakness.It's hard to envision Ayala geting in close enough to score the necessary punches needed to win.While Ayala may have been tough,I don't know if he was rugged enough to take the fight to Hearns,and win.Hearns by a unanimous decision,or t.k.o
(3)Leonard,would have moved and speeded his way around Ayala,and outboxed him,to win a decision.Ayala may have punched viciously.butI don't think he could have landed often enough to score a K.O.,Leonard would win a
unanimous decision.

About all you could have considered Ayala to be was a solid prospect. Solid prospects are a rather inexpensive comodity as they are very common. I remember Ring Magazine would have a prospect of the month section where they would talk about the latest up and coming fighters. They always spoke of them as a sure bet but in reality the vast majority ended up on the ex contender scrap heap, that is if they ever made it as far as contender status. I would rate Ayala along side contenders such as Curtis Parker, Dwight Davidson, Mustapha Hamsho, James"Hard Rock" Green, possibly a cut above.

kick asner wrote:I would rate Ayala along side contenders such as Curtis Parker, Dwight Davidson, Mustapha Hamsho, James"Hard Rock" Green, possibly a cut above.

Or possibly a cut below.

I could see Tony giving Duran a good fight for some reason at 154.Whether he beats him or not, I'm not sure.But I feel that Leonard and Hearns would outbox him silly and maybe stop him in the later rounds.