Aaron Pryor vs Wilfred Benitez At 140

Pryor by UD.

Benitez wasn't fully mature physically yet when he reigned at 140. He quickly grew out of the division. Conversely, Pryor was very strong and comfortable at 140.

Pryor would use his high energy, non stop attack to continually make Benitez fight off the ropes. Benitez woud utiize his radar like defense to slip most of the blows, but would be unable to get his own offense on track consistently.

Pryor wins something like 146-140.

 

I like Pryor as well. Great matchup.

Benitez is going to make Aaron miss a lot and he will catch him with counters. Though I think Aaron at that time just never stopped and I believe the force of his will would be the difference. He`ll just keep throwing and Pryor had great speed himself eventually he`s gonna start to connect on Benitez.

Pryor by late stoppage in a real good fight.

 

Bruce Curry gave Wilfred all kinds of problems at Jr. Welter....and Pryor was much better that BCurry in his prime.

 

People tend to forget that Pryor went down frequently in fights before he finally matured and settled down. His wildman style often left him open and he got dropped.

I figure Benitez does his magical mystery tour off the ropes, lands enough pinpoint counters off Pryor misses and puts him down for a couple of flash knockdowns that make the difference in a close UD.

 

That is possible. I'm sure he would find Pryor plenty. The thing Aaron brought to the table of his unconventional attack. That can often phase even a great defensive master like Benitez. Pryor threw punches from odd and awkward angles.

 

Pryor close decision.

 

That's how I see it. Wilfred was a (albeit prodigal) teenager. Pryor was a force of nature.

 

Which would be a shame as Aaron's KDs tended not to be because he was hurt, more off balance. I have plumped for Pryor but can certainly see this outcome too.

 

I liked Aaron Pryor as a fighter, but I would pick Wilfredo Benitez to beat him if both were weighing 140 pounds. Benitez had a tremendous amount of skill.

- Chuck Johnston

 

I can see both outcomes here. Benitez indeed wasn't at his greatest at 140.

You've got a guy with a great workrate and boundless energy against a fantastic counterpuncher who can sit back a bit too much sometimes.

I'm on the fence.

 

I picked Benitez because he fought better guys a few times than Pryor, although I think 154 was Benitez best weight. Had he not been beaten by Hearns, I could see him defend the 154 pound title until maybe 1986, but he lost to Tommy and fought a guy who utilizes size in Hamsho at 160. Then his confidence seemed to take a hit.

 

Yeah. Benitez at 154 was all muscle. Pryor would be pudgy at 154. Actually he was kinda pudgy at 140. He could easily fight at 135 or less. Compare his physique to Arguello’s which was much leaner:
https://www.thefightcity.com/pryor-vs-arguello/

At 154 Benitez could go after him the way he did against Duran, and find him relatively easy to hit.

At 140 Benitez has to be more careful. He’s not strong enough to hurt Pryor. Pryor would go after him. Pryor’s ‘awkward’ style might throw off the radar, and Pryor could put him away in the late rounds, just as Leonard did.

Now the fight that would be much more fun would be Pryor vs Whittaker

 

Pryor by late KO

Much like the Leonard Benitez fight