Back when Hearns was a light puncher in the amateurs. Had they met again in the ring Hearns would have stopped Pryor within 6 rounds.
It's just amazing how Hearns transformed from a very light punching amateur to possibly the most devastating one punch ko artist between Welterweight and the Middleweight divisions in history. Learning to use proper leverage,timing and taking advantage of his unique physical gifts propelled him into a truly frightening force. Hearns would've annihilated Pryor in the pros. It would've been a total mismatch in my opinion. If Pryor made it past 3 rounds that would be a small miracle and because Hearns wasn't pressing( Which would be highly unlikely) Pryor wouldn't last any longer than Duran or Cuevas, but possibly be ko'ed earlier because of revenge for the amatuer loss.
Steward was a genius, developing Tommy's right hand with the proper technique. Tommy also doesn't look as physically strong as he would become.
Prime Tommy absolutely slaughters Pryor! And honestly I feel like the only one of the Fab 4 that Aaron Pryor stands a chance of beating is Duran. SRL outclasses him. Hagler pulverizes him for 5 or 6 rounds until finally finishing him, and unless they're fighting at 140, it could go either way with Roberto Duran.
Duran would kill Pryor at 140. Imagine the Duran who slipped to 147 stopping in at 140. IMO he's an even worse match for Pryor than SRL and that's saying something. He wouldn't be able to outbox, overpower or even outlast Duran. Tho aggressor and super high volume this would simply play into Duran's hands as he loved that. He's way tighter technically than Aaron and would make him pay and severely test him to the body. Now Aaron is a damn good fighter and starting to get mildly underrated and he'd hang in there and have his moments, he's too good not too........but it's Duran for sure.
I can’t see Pryor doing much here. His best days were at Jr. Welter. That’s not to say he might not have had SOME success against CERTAIN welterweights or junior middles but not Thomas Hearns
Pryor wouldn't beat any of the five kings. And I'm a Pryor fan writing this, so no personal bias, or anger about his victories over Arguello, and magic bottle theories. If Duran was focused and in shape (I'm sure he would be for a serious challenge like Pryor would be.) He'd overwhelm him with better physicality ,and overall skills. A heck of a fight while it last, but Duran stops him with in 10 rds. Leonard stops him with in five rds. He was too small and reckless defensively to last very long against Ray. Hagler stops him with in five rds, he was what prime Hagler shined against, aggressive brawlers. He was also way too small for Hagler. Benitez would be the only one he'd have a chance against, his style and aggression would trouble a pure stylist like Benitez. But again the size difference would be a big advantage for Benitez, and he'd be able to win a decision over Pryor. Thomas Hearns ????? Just to many too's . Hearns would've been to big, to fast, to tall, to long of a reach, to skilled, to powerful and hard hitting for Pryor. He'd have absolutely no chance at all against him in the pro's. Pryor's biggest drawback against any of those fighters would be his size. He was much better suited for weight classes Jr light thru jr.welter. I wouldn't like his chances against many of the best natural welterweights and above in history.
Duran would take Pryor apart on the inside. Pryor's best bet would be to try to box Duran from the outside ala Leonard but he's not as good as Leonard and he doesn't have the temperament to do that for very long anyway. I know at least one of Arguello's hands was set up by a right hand to the body. Duran is going to hit Pryor to the body way more than Arguello did and Duran is not taking a 1/4 of the shots Arguello did. I don't like Pryor and while I'm not the biggest Duran fan either I really wish Pryor's people didn't turn down the fight with Duran.
Another problem with the Duran matchup is that when they were discussing a fight, it was supposed to be at a catchweight of 150 lbs. That’s a lot of weight for Pryor to put on.
Totally disagree, Duran would kill Pryor, a shorter smaller man who rushes in recklessly? Duran hit much harder than Arguello ,Roberto by KO inside 5
