From what I recall -and yes my memory isn't perfect- Duran had signed a contract for the fight but Pryor did not. It would have been a very interesting fight.
"Some substance". Yes he was an exciting fighter to watch and had that heartfelt story behind him. The press were all over and hoping he would last, absolutely. This is why all the little guys were lusting after him and plenty also believed him quite beatable of course. Blake and Crawley would have been solid challenges. Those two and a host of other fought some extremely exciting bouts all around the same time. "Choo Choo", White Lightning" etc. Personally i think Mancini would have got by them as i think he was a step up from that lot but could still find them very difficult.
Roberto Duran - vs. - Tony Ayala Larry Holmes - vs. - Frank Bruno ( Could be wrong but if Bruno had beaten Bonecrusher he'd get the shot at Holmes).
Nothing concrete, but yes, talk of it happening even before Smith, who going in, was considered more fodder for the Bomber.
Tony Ayala! He was supposed to beat Duran, then beat the **** out of Leonard, Hagler and Hearns. Like Dean Francis, jail got him.
I can definitely remember reading sometime around the Foreman v Cooney fight, that if Cooney won, he'd get a shot at Tyson. Luckily for him that Old George put him out, Tyson puts him in hospital.!
