Aaron Pryor vs Floyd Mayweather

I don’t think enough emphasis is being put on how much Pryor leaves himself open to being hit. If you watch him, he comes forward aggressively but leaves his chin in the air to be hit. He does it a lot. Way too much. I can’t see how an elite counter puncher does not capitalize on that over and over again. I think Pryor would start off strong with his pressure but as the fight goes on, Floyd starts to adapt and starts to time Pryor. I think that either slows Pryor down significantly or he gets caught and gets hurt. I don’t know where this narrative comes from that Floyd doesn’t have the power to keep people off of him comes from. He got Shane Mosley and Canelo’s respect. Two fighters with pretty much accepted granite chins. Also, this fight is at 140. A weight class where Floyd displayed power in. To me I see a UD or late TKO for Floyd. I don’t see Floyd losing to someone who has that huge of a technical flaw. It’s too big of one to overcome.

 

I’m undecided on this one. I see both fighters having styles that could counter the other.

As has been pointed out, Pryor has an unorthodox line of attack - but he does leave himself open. Mayweather is an accurate counter puncher and Pryor could be a little off balance, particularly early in a fight where he suffered some flash knockdowns.

The question mark I have is about pace. Pryor had pretty great stamina and Mayweather liked to dictate pace but could be a little spartan in his output at times. Whoever controls the pace wins the fight. Does Mayweather have enough to discourage Pryor from attacking relentlessly? I’m not so sure.

 

Mayweather could just walk Pryor down if he chose to. Same as Mosley.

 

How is that ?? Did Mayweather walk JLC down.?? Mayweather had no answer for JLC strength at 135. JLC walked right through. Now Pryor at 140.. good luck with that. Pryor is walking right through what Mayweather has to give. Mayweather has to pot shot and counter and stay away . .Its Mayweather fighting off the back foot , not the other way around... The work rate of Pryor is moving forward. not backwards ... In fact , have you ever seen Pryor fighting with his back on the ropes.

This fight actually seems to be going one of 2 ways. If Pryor cant force Mayweather back, he wont be able to outbox May center of the ring.. If Pryor can back up Mayweather and put his strength on him, them May will lose. imo

 

Mayweather stops him after tough fight

 

Pryor doesn't throw straight punches or defend himself. That's why.

 

I think Pryor is overrated and I've been saying this for years.

Beat a past it Cervantes.

Beat Arguello at 140 which wasn't his best weight and he needed to cheat to win that fight with the "black bottle".

If Mayweathers resume consisted of that people on this forum who be discrediting him at every turn.

I know Mayweather hasn't got the best personality and isn't that likeable but his skills and resume speaks for themselves.

The only slick boxer I see Pryor fight was Gary Hinton and he barely scrapped past him in a very close 15 round decision.

I know Pryor's awkwardness and workrate would be troubling to Mayweather but I don't rate Pryor as highly as some people do.

 

I’m on the fence with this one too, for all the same reasons. I might go re-watch some of Pryor. They were both superbly conditioned, Mayweather was a guy hard to hit clean, but lesser fighters should have got decisions against him. Then again he has that counter punch style for a guy like Pryor. I’m leaning towards Pryor and his awkwardness/workrate, but he might have to be a bit more nuanced than usual. Good fight

 

Would add that I’d the really elites fighters like Duran and Leonard , you can’t really find a flaw in their style in their primes, I take them over Mayweather or Pac any day of the week. If there’s a flaw though Mayweather is a guy that can exploit it and Pryor did like to put that chin out there, whether Mayweather can hit him often enough and hard enough to discourage him I’m not sure he can either