I think that a lot of people on ESB criminally underrate Chavez, this guy was an amazing fighter in his prime, good enough to be called the best ever Mexican. I think Pryor was 1 of the top 2 140 lbers ever but I think Chavez was the best. The Pryor who beat Arguello vs the Chavez who beat Camacho would have been an explosion. I think the difference in this fight would be Chavez accuracy & defence, I can see him bobbing & weaving, taking the odd bomb on the way in but taking it very well & just ripping Pryors body, Pryor can fight inside but he doesnt have the accuracy of JC inside & Chavez would just keep coming until it ended up a war. I see both men having success outside with Pryor`s lateral movement giving him an edge but mainly this would be a blood & guts will vs will match-up fought mainly inside. Chavez superior accuracy to both body & head enables him to land the more shots. Both guys are impossible to KO in their primes so this is defo going the distance & after a slow start, I think Chavez takes most of the mid-late rds for a close 12 rd majority decision Chavez W12 MD Pryor :thumbsup
Pryor was too varied for the more straight up and down Chavez in my opinion. Taylor had faster hands, but his attack wasn't as varied and dangerous as Pryor's. He'd provide angles and an insane workrate that would throw Chavez off in my opinion, moreso than Taylor's did. I don't honestly think Taylor threw Chavez off for more than the first few rounds considering he couldn't hurt him, and all the while Chavez was doing his own steady work, which lead to Taylor's downfall at the end. Pryor on the other hand had the power and the fast/change of pace style that would throw Chavez off in my opinion, and keep him honest. However, the case can be made for Chavez, considering Arguello was able to throw Pryor himself off when he went to the body. I'd be more confident picking Chavez in a 15 rounder than a 12 rounder, though I wouldn't directly favor him in either. I'll say Pryor wins a Decision.
I'll go with Chavez by decision or late-round stoppage. I think he was better than Arguello at 140 (especially defensively). His infighting, body punching, and defense on the inside would've given the Hawk problems. The one question I guess I have about this fight is the possibility of Pryor adjusting and going "Whitaker or Taylor" on Chavez. Would he have adjusted and turned it in to a boxing match? I'm not sure anyone ever forced him out of his all out attack mode. Great matchup!
Both equally great fighters, but the key difference is Chavez' defense. in his prime Chavez slipped punches beautifully. and countered with hard shots. to the body and the head. Pryor had a granite chin for sure but his defense was a little leaky. I think Chavez would wear down Pryor enough to score a unanimous decision. And an early KD, which Pryor was prone to. would cement the decision.
Pryor's defense was also underrated due to his constant change of pace style and angles. He was also very underrated in terms of accuracy. Watch the Arguello finish in the 1st fight, he lands nearly every single punch he throws.
I agree. Pryor by decision. He would handle Chavez'z hell. Too fast, too many punches, punches from everywhere and he doesnt stop.
Chavez more compact style and underrated skills take him to a UD or even a potential late stoppage over 15. The Chavez durability is legendary at 140, and the Pryor style isn't going to worry him near as much as it did Arguello. Chavez' debilitating body attack and exceptional stamina will (surprisingly to some) have him the stronger man late. Pryor's best actual option is to box, and this he will after an early explosion. Chavez however puts more immediate pressure on a boxer than Alexis ever did. Pryor is a definite chance of easing away a decision win over 12, but i'll go with Chavez.
