Pryor had KO's in 35 of his 39 wins. I'm not sure he ever went a full 15 rounds so you could be right. Another factor is Basilio's tendency to bleed which is another disadvantage for him. Bottom line, it really comes down to whether you think the extra size and strength of Basilio is truly a difference maker here.
Aaron Pryor never fought anybody like Basilio. Cervantes is arguably more skilled than Basilio, Arguello, in my opinion, certainly is. But I don't think that there is any denying that Cervantes was beyond his peak, and Arguello had come up 14 pounds from where he started which, in the era of same day weigh ins, was substantial. Basilio was a strong welterweight, Pryor would have been a lightweight if he could have been, and, at 140 a small welterweight in Basilio's day. I imagine that he would try to move against Basilio, pick his spots and use his fast hands. Maybe he could win that fight but I wouldn't bet on it. Because every time he sets his feet to punch he is going to get hit back and, honestly, that type of fight isn't his strength. I think that the last thing that Pryor would do would be going straight to Basilio and starting a war. He might do it but he wouldn't win it.
As soon as I seen the match up all I can see is a Basilio win, simply a good match up for him. Of all fantasy match ups for Pryor I see this as one of the worst that isn't one of the obvious choices, those being Hearns, Leonard, Duran and Robinson. He beats Pryor in his own game and although Pryor definitely has the ability to box it is not to the level that will trouble Basilio, he has a better chance sluggling with him in which he has 0 chance in out slugging Basilio really. Plus the size disadvantage, this is an ugly and depressing bout for The Hawk.
Great insights. We share most of the same opinions on this fight just a different outcome. But I believe if Basilio could ware down Saxton, Williams and of course Robinson, and a lot of folks thought he beat Gavilan. He could do the same to Pryor who was smaller than all these fighters, if I remember right . Pryor's build in my opinion tells me he wouldn't be that successful against the better welterweights and above in history. He was narrow across the shoulders. Unlike fighters in the modern era using the magic "Juice" like Pac and some of the other fighters that have won multiple titles across multiple weight classes in the fight game the last few yrs he wouldn't be as effective. A prime example is Wilfredo Gomez. Gomez a dynamic force at Bantamweight, probably the greatest Bantam in history, but just a few pounds heavier than that weight he wasn't nearly as effective. Gomez and Pryor are almost identically the same body type . Factor in fighting a naturally, stronger, bigger, heavier opponent in Basilio who was effective all the way up to Middleweight, and had a non-stop motor and determination , was very effective at dragging opponents into dog fights. I can't see Pryor winning a long distance fight against him. And he definitely not going to ko him. I'm a Pryor fan, and feel he is very underrated by most on this site. But I'm also very realistic. I don't see how Pryor wins over 15rds.
Fair enough--I respect your opinion. Pryor as great as he was is always going to be questioned about that magic bottle which is a shame because he did not need it. On another note, have you ever see the Pyror vs Hearns fight from when they were amateurs? I can't figure out how to post the link from my new cell phone but if you go to YouTube and search for it you will find it and be amazed by the ferocity that they both fought at. Both were top amateurs at the time in the lightweight division and Hearns is a teenager that has already fought 200 times with only six losses. In no way am I suggesting that I think Pryor would have beaten Hearns at WW in the pro's but his performance against Hearns is simply impressive as hell considering the size and power difference. You should check it out. It's nine minutes of pure fury. It is also been talked about before that Pryor use to Own Sugar Ray in sparring. I would kill to see that film.
The Hawk vs the Cobra! It was a tremendous fight. In the third round Hearns lands a straight right on Pryor's chin and nearly knocks him out. A minute later, Hearns is hanging on for dear life at the final bell. Could you imagine Pryor vs Duran? That is my all time dream fight.
The "Magic Bottle " comment is about modern fighters using supplements-drugs for their success going up multiple weight classes, not about the Pryor vs Arguello controversy . (which is B.S, no drug ingested through the stomach will have an Immediate effect, In my profession I've seen people swallow crazy amounts of drugs before they could be stopped, not one was effected in about 3 minutes, which is about the time Lewis gave Pryor the drink, and the end of that fight.) It's a reference to today's top fighters able to move thru multiple weight classes with relative ease. Something that wasn't available , or wasn't believed in during Pryor's era , most old school trainers believed too much muscularity was a no-no for boxers. Also same day weigh-ins during that era would have been a major issue for Pryor. Yes I've watched the Pryor / Hearns match many times, I think I may have seen it when it actually happened in 76'. I'm sure your aware there's a very big difference between pro Thomas Hearns and his amateur career. Pryor wouldn't have much of a chance against Hearns in the pro's . Same with the sparring sessions between Leonard and Pryor. Did it happen early in their careers when both were new pro's? Pryor probably was a more mature fighter early on. But prime vs prime Leonard beats the hell out of Pryor in my opinion.
