Aaron Pryor vs Ricky Hatton?

At his physical peak, Hatton was exceptionally strong at the weight and Pryor would get to know this.

But, Pryor was just simply a more skilled and versatile fighter; a wonderfully fluid punching machine, who set up his virtually inescapable assaults with well-camouflaged leads, making them count with heavy-handed accuracy. He had great footwork, upper-body motion and feints. Perhaps excessive and flamboyant in his movement, this was, nonetheless, quite often the bane of Pryor's opponents - so difficult it was for them to gauge and time him.

Pryor is not being overrated here - nor Hatton underrated. It's just that Hatton would have no answer to Pryor; nothing to prevent him from walking into Pryor's shots all night long - until he couldn't stand.

 

The Arguello who fought Pryor would have knocked Hatton senseless.

 

This is completely n the money in my opinion, a really good post re. Pryor's style and I was never the biggest Pryor fan.

 

I know when Pryor won the title, he won it the same day Hearns won his title vs. Cuevas... Duran was moving up and down, he could have waited.. Ray would have been there. he wanted to get the big guy. I get it, and this proves maybe Duran was having trouble even making 140.. I know the math. June 1980 he beat Ray before Pryor won the title. I am saying waiting or finding a way to fight him in 1981... Before Alexis fought him. In reality. Duran is part of the fab 4, so it doesn't matter..

 

Duran would have been a horrible matchup for Pryor. I don't think The Hawk sees 15 against Hands of Stone.

But Hatton doesn't belong in the conversation with any of these guys.

Hatton simply caught an aging Tszyu in the right place, at the right time, and still need questionable grappling tactics to beat him.

 

Lol.... overrated by whom? He is hardly ever given a chance in any h2h fight, and very few if any argue for a high ranking even at 140.

Once again I have Pryor winning this, but Hatton is under rated if anything

 

Pryor just wasn't a big name nor big money. It took him ages to get held in high regard. As a matter of fact it took the Arguello wins. Pryor had not had the opportunity to build his reputation via quality opposition as the cupboard was quite bare at 140.

The proof is in the pudding. Arguello was the 12-5 favorite in the first fight - the smaller fighter moving up. Pryor was still considered relatively unproven on the biggest stage.

 

it is funny.. I actually remember the previews to the fight the night they fought. It was a big fight and and Aaron had everything to prove. The bottle stuff hurt the fights a little. but not as much as one would think. Still regarded as great. I was 17 and the thought was exactly what you said. Arguello would win and that would mean he would be the first 4 time champion in 4 weights. Pryor was just spectacular that night and probably too strong for Alexis. I think I am going to go watch that fight now. When I think about this fight sometimes I go and watch it. it was a great fight.

 

I think it would be an ugly war but Hatton would get broken down in the middle rounds. Hatton has really fast feet and could close the distance.

 

As far as all time junior welters go, I'd put Hatton in the same class as a Tim Bradley. That's basically a pick em fight right there.

 

Too much hand speed for Ricky, no?

 

Who did Hatton ever best when they were in their prime??
When he met really good fighters he got blown out.
Hatton beat an old KT who wasn't even active at that time .WOW .
Pryor beat Cervantes,Arguello twice,etc And yes Cervantes was past it but Pryor stopped him early.
Pryor is faster has the ability to box and HITS harder then Hatton so what is Hatton gonna do?

 

Excellent post!