Aaron Pryor vs. Pernell Whitaker at 140

And of course, even in the event Duran loses, we can just attribute that to him out partying the night before a huge fight again.

In all seriousness, offensively speaking, I would feel a lot more comfortable about what I'm doing if I had Duran on me rather than an Aaron Pryor. Duran wasn't always super aggressive, he was outboxed by Wilfred Benitez, and I would envision him giving Pea a lot more time to think about his work than Pryor would.

You're talking about the defense of Pryor, and how easy he would be to find in comparison to Roberto Duran? I don't find this to be particuarly relevant. Pryor will be on the offense all night long, he will be throwing close to a hundred punches in a lot of rounds, and Pea's offense wouldn't come close to those numbers. Pryor, although he sometimes doesn't get credit for it, still does pick his shots very well and has displayed some nice technique and boxing ability in his career. It would be educated pressure, but it'd be unpredictable, just as Arguello found out.

Pryor can eat up any of Pea's shots, he'd be less worried about getting hit in that fight than he was when he fought Alexis. Did he look particuarly bothered about Alex's power?

 

I say it every time, Pea would have his rounds, as would Pryor. Draw over 12, Pryor over 15 close points win. Too tough to callr eally

 

If Pryor were actually to use his typical free for all swarming style against Pea regardless of what tactics Pea implied I'd probably be even more willing to favor Whitaker. I don't think it suits a fighter who rarely even sets himself for punches against an elusive counter-puncher. A fighter that stays in front of him the entire time? Yes, but a guy like Whitaker? Not so much. It would give Pea problems as well, I'm sure, but Pryor would be made to look quite amateurish a lot of the time.

 

after reading some posts and thinking about this fight

i pick Pea

i look at it as a near even fight but Pryor would be hit alot more than Pea as Pea had a higher workrate and was alot more accurate especially as Arran would be there to hit.

Also Arran would miss alot of shots and be open for the counters down the middle like i think Robbi said.

I think Peas movement could bamboozle Pryor abit as Pea could move and then immediatly fire off and would catch Pryor off balance all night long which aint good as Arran wasnt exactly reknowned for his balance. So these shots would look very impressive for Pea.

So i think Pea wins but is robbed by the judges.

 

Very hard to choose fight but I cant go against Whitaker by decision.
No KO`s here, no chance but I see Pryor missing badly at times & being made to pay in a lot of close rds, that will go in Pea`s favour on the cards.

Whitaker by close UD

 

does the people picking Pea all agree that Arrans balance and Peas movement putting him more off balance are major major facters?

 

As much credit as Pryor deserves for giving his style more layers, it would only present the smart Whitaker with a fair puzzle. Pernell's fundamental command and assertiveness were totally airtight and unforgiving. His jabbing right, tucked in left and sharp turns paved the way for a painful game of ‘Simon says’.

The two huge differences between Arguello and Whitaker is that Pernell could make a mockery of combinations, even when 33 against De La Hoya, and he was an expert at playing matador to the bull.

It's hard to imagine not seeing Aaron's high forehead catch that rapid jab and the constantly swelling-up pride to retort in fashion would lay out every single one of Pryor’s intentions for Sweet Pea to read and then counter with economic precision.

Perhaps not enough emphasis here is being put on Pryor's ability to will himself onto the opponent, but conversely, Whitakers own will and work rate would do well in matching Pryor's only cards to play.

Some, maybe even half of the rounds may look like Pryor has a stake for a 10-9, but as was the case with the Chavez bout, a good judge should pick-up on the clean punches and ring general ship to give the high-octane ‘super-fight’ to Pernell.

 

I don't think it's as big of a factor as perhaps you do.

Pryor could get his shots off from any position, and yes, there would be patches where he'd look amateurish. But persistence is key in this fight, and there was seldom more persistent fighters than Pryor.

 

Higher workrate than Pryor ? :huh

I pick Whitaker too but its his ability to make you miss & make you pay that gives him the edge, not by outworking Pryor.

 

Pea has a higher workrate than Pryor if you look at stats Pea averages about 60-80 punches around and does alot of moving. Pryor was more up and down like he could get 100 odd punches one round then maybe 40-50 the next

 

Whitaker and Arguello are like "chalk and cheese" when it comes the comparison of styles. Persistence for Pryor will more than likely always have payed off against "straight up and down" static fighters like Arguello and others at 140lbs. Arguello always liked to fight at a measured and controlled pace for his precision and technical skills to shine. He wasn't a bad fighter in a high paced brawl, but was far better when he set the tempo of a fight. Whitaker changed the height of himself on a regular basis and moved around the ring far more freely than Arguello ever did. He simply found it easier to "get off" with punches based on his more fluid style and pure boxing ability.

Whitaker is light years ahead of Arguello when it comes to scoring on the move, and especially while backing up. Arguello always stood his ground when under pressure. Whitaker could as well, and more.

 

I see Pryor as being too much of a wide open target for Whitaker. That's a helluva handicap to have to overcome against someone like Whitaker at 140.

I take Whitaker by decision.

 

What Duran has to do with it is this - i made comment Duran is possibly the only guy i could ever see putting Pea off his game thru effective pressure. Pryor IMO is a bit too loose and wild in comparison to Duran to get by Whitaker via this avenue. Sorry if i confused.

Pryor is awkward indeed, but Whitaker has radar for eyes and great natural anticipation. Not only can he block punches but he can also slip them, and is GREAT at both. Benitez may have slipped better but never was as good at blocking. Whitaker will also be the speediest fighter Pryor ever encountered, no? Also, the greatest fighter he has fought for this weight category. Pryor may not be undoubtably be the best fighter Whitaker fought, even at the weight.

Duran is class levels above Duran for delivery, timing and effectiveness. Duran would be much more problematic to the Pea than Pryor. Duran is sheer greatness and has proven it many times against many styles, often above and well above his best weight. No comparison for me.

Arguello and Pea could not be more different. Arguello was made for a Pryor fighting his best and smartest fight, and may top experts dwelled on this pre fight. Pryor did indeed fight the perfect anti Arguello fight.

He can't do this vs Pea and the stylistic advantage lay with the Pea IMO. He makes Arguello look downright ponderous and gets the job done via totally different means. Nobody is saying Pea simply waltzs in and has his own way, barely getting hit. He will get hit, and he will losde rounds, but in the final washup i see him winning on points in a competitive but non controversial fight.

 

pryors only chance of winning would be by stoppage, i think he would do this late on but this is such a good match up and whitaker was so good he wins rematch via ud15,two of my favourite fighters

 

So yu're saying Pryor would stop Pea? Hmmmmmmmmm.........interestingatsch