The most simple of research would render this question totally irrelevant. Pryor won the title late 1980. Duran had already beat SRL at this stage. A more intelligent question would involve Cervantes.
Hatton is the BIGGER fighter and a real inside force. I think he takes this, Pryor was fantastic. But other than Arguello who came UP in weight, who did Pryor beat? I agree with another poster that Hatton would be the second best fighter Pryor ever faced. The Best version of Hatton would have the style and ability to win it.
And Pryor isn't overrated? Outside of an ancient Cervantes and a great but albeit natural 126lb fighter his resume is abysmal.
Based on recent rumours about Pryor and Brando I'm leaning towards Hatton. But most likely Pryor gives Hatton a butt whopping, If you know what I mean.
The bell rings. Hatton comes forward in a straight line. Pryor moves side to side with his hands low, taunting the one dimensional Hatton. Pryor flicks out the jab and follows with occasional bursts of combinations. The pattern continues for a few rounds - Pryor darts in and out, stopping Hatton in his tracks. Finally, around the sixth round, the Hawk decides to swoop in for the kill. He overwhelms Hatton with speed and power. Hatton is cut and reeling. He is felled by a left hook. He rises on unsteady pins. Pryor traps him against the ropes and renders Hatton defenseless. A vicious right hand snaps Hattons head back in a qrotesque manner - similar to what Felix Trinidad did to Yori Boy Campas. The referee then waves it off the save Hatton from futher punishment. He is never the same again.
Well, if it's fought in Manchester, in the middle of the night, and most importantly, if David Parris is the referee, then Ricky has a small chance, say 10-20 %. Under any other circumstances, this is a slaughter.
When people say that Pryor beat no one besides Arguello, they must be forgetting that he destroyed Cervantes in 4 to win the title. And while Cervantes was old and past it... so was Tszyu, which is Hatton's ONLY quality win. So let's not question resumes here, you Hatton groupies. Pryor beat better fighters than Hatton, and was a better fighter than Hatton. This matchup is actually an insult to Pryor, it should be Pryor vs Floyd or Pryor vs Pac. Ricky Hatton, nice guy and all, but not in the league of any great fighter.
