Aaron Pryor vs Ike Williams

Pryor left himself to open and a powerful accurate guy like Williams would mess him up it'd be entertaining but Pryor doesn't have the style to beat Ike. Williams via punishment.

 

Pryor's style was the foil for textbook technicians. Ike's technical skill was formidable, but it wasn't static. What that means here is that Ike would not be a day late and a dollar short like Arguello. Nor would he necessarily be outpunched 3 to 1. Ike wouldn't allow it. He would explode at exactly the right moment ...his offensive prowess -particularly the variety and power of his punches were fierce.

Although it is very abstract and theoretical, I like to factor in disposition as well... both here were proud and very strong between the ears. Ike was among the most vicious of the battlers -right up there with Ketchel.

Ike's offense, while more orthodox than Pryor, was also more efficient. Williams. Perhaps by UD... a late KO is more likely.

 

For people who don't know Ike Williams was the Shane Mosley of his time and he would wear you down with speed and power. But this fight is a toss up, I might have to go with Williams by UD.

 

Is there any significant reason why Williams has such a poor knockout ratio? I've seen a few of his fights (Gatica, Jack and a couple more) and he does seem to hit hard. However, he stopped less than half of the people he beat. The videos show he was a hard hitter and people backed that up, yet his KO ratio is less than mediocre.

It just strikes me as odd. Most people tend to think of him as a puncher who could stop anyone he faced, yet he obviously didn't. Maybe there is a legitimate reason, I don't know. If there isn't, why do so many people think of his as a lightweight Earnie Shavers in the sense that his poer could turn any fight.

 

Williams was also a good boxer.

 

That's something I noticed too. A couple of the big rights Arguello landed in the first fight were set up by body shots.

 

My pick would be Pryor TKO 1.

 

You should explain that.

 

I see Pryor winning a few more rounds, perhaps 9-6, but also getting knocked down a couple of times, and probably being on the verge of being Ko'ed at the end of the fight, but doing just enough to hang on for a tough points win.

One key to Pryor's victory will be his level of activity. I think he'll be more energetic than Ike and outhustle him in several rounds. Another key in the fight will be Pryor's ability to switch it up and outbox Williams throughout the middle rounds. He'll never employ it effectively enough to outdo Williams for too long, but just enough to get the decided edge.

 

Seriously, Amsterdam, have you seen Williams fight? And what about Pryor makes him seem more technically advanced than fighters of that era anyway? He was as open and wild as they came.