Let's say Pryor moves up in weight after the first Arguello fight and challenges the Palomino who stopped Armando Muniz. Who wins?
Pryor would be all over Carlos like a mouse on cheese. I like Pryor's nonstop aggression to pull out a decision.
I like Pryor winning this aswell...but Id love to see how he dealt with Palomino's strength and body punching. It would be a natural lightweight against a well built welterweight who proved he was not easy to boss at his favoured weight. I reckon he wouldnt be "all over" Carlos, especially later on. At some point I think he backs off and fights conservatively.
I'll go with 1977 Palomino to edge '81 Pryor in a time machine.... Palomino was more technically sound compared to the aggressive and erratic Pryor.... Pryor also never proved **** at 147..... MR.BILL
I think Pryor gets more credit cuz of his amateur background, whereas Palomino only had a handful, if that, of amateur fights... Plus, Palomino only had about 30 pro fights, as well... STILL! At his peak (1977), I'd lean towards Palomino to out-box 1981 Pryor at 147 pounds.... MR.BILL:hat
i will take pryor here via a very hard fought decision but i do think pryor at some point will have to box at times 8-6-1
On a pound for pound basis, I would be picking Pryor. However, this was a real world-real matchup question made at 147. Both fighters had been knocking about for awhile. It was mentioned about Pryor's amateur background, but Palomino had one too. I know he was an AAU champ and I also think he was an all-service champ. Pryor definitely was exposed to the harder fights as a pro at this mythical time, but nothing harder than the 1st Muniz fight, which was pure attrition. Physically, Palomino had a couple of inches on Pryor and fought tall, whereas Pryor would crouch, shimmy and go buzzsaw on his opponents. One must also remember that Pryor was a rated lightweight when he fought Cervantes and like someone here said, he never did anything at 147 (except get KO'd by Bobby Joe Young). He was just a smaller fighter. In Palomino he would be fighting one of the strongest 147 pounders I've seen, who would be looking to exploit the physical advantages he would enjoy. After 10 rounds I see Pryor leading, but unable to put a dent in Palomino's exceptional jaw. With the body punches beginning to exact a toll, I see Palomino stopping Pryor around the 13th or 14th round. Scartissue
The first thoughts in my head was Pryor getting pushed back with a body attack. The way Pryor opens up would leave him completely open for Palomino's body attack and we seen how brutal it could be. Also that strength of Palomino could do a lot to discourage the charges of Pryor. Very good post. I see Pryor getting the lead with sharp changes of angles, fast flurries and fairly good boxing but all the time Palomino will be playing a 15 round game, wearing him down with the counter body shots and will take him out in the championship rounds IMO.
In a 15 round fight, I think Carlos is too strong and would wear Pryor out with body punches. Maybe a similar fight to Palomino-Muniz 1.