Pryor 5'6 1/2" with a 68" reach and a solid 140Lbs. 1980-1983 he was at his very best. This version of Pryor vs. the following fighters- Wilfred Benitez 5'10" with a 70" reach and was still solid at 154Lbs. He beat a better version of Cervantes than Pryor did but Pryor definately beat him worse (KO4). Benitez was only 17 years old when he beat Cervantes (WSD15). He also beat C. Palomino and R. Duran among others. *I'll take Benitez by close split-decision. Roberto Duran 5'7" with a 66" reach and won World titles at 135, 147, 154, and 160. This would have been an amazing fight! *I'll go with draw. Antonio Cervantes (5-7 years younger) 5'9" with a 74' reach and an all-time great at 140Lbs. *Pryor by close decision. thoughts?
At some point, I expect Pryor to land on Benitez. Wilfred did not have Locche's chin. Wilfred was a great boxer, but once the Hawk had a man hurt, he finished effectively. Beyond that, he wasn't strictly an attacking swarmer, but could fly around the ring laterally with tremendous foot speed. He could confuse Benitez by keeping away when El Radar tried to counter off the ropes, and force Wilfred to come after him. Others shared Pryor's nickname, but nobody swooped in, flew around, and glided back like he did. He had a raw versatility and unpredictability which I could see him giving Benitez considerable trouble with. Blackmoore was a defensively skilled counter puncher, and he barely entered the second round already with a three point deficit. A slow start for Wilfred could be fatal here, and he did tend to start slowly. Duran had the chin, defensive skill and body punching to take a decision here. Aaron was too wild, too much of a headhunter and too wide open to have a chance at outpointing the far more controlled El Cholo. Cervantes would be close, and I would not place any money on the outcome. Pambele was slipping and countering effectively when they did meet, until a Pryor right opened a cut in the third round which turned the tide. Like Duran, he had a far better chin than Benitez, and he wasn't susceptible to cuts when he was younger. As a counter puncher, he was on a completely different level than Blackmoore, as their respective showings against Pryor graphically displayed.
Duran vs. Pryor is insane. I think Pryor beating Duran depends on if he can outspeed him without all out brawling. Win the exchanges, but something tells me this is a fight which Duran would love. A pick em fight. Benitez would beat Pryor in my mind and win a decision. Pryor would maybe decision Cervantes. I didn't even know you made a pick on the fights until after I made my pick. We are close.
Benitez-this would be a classic offense vs. defense battle which would go down the wire. I think Hawk would pull it out in the end due to wearing El Radar down with his nonstop assault. A prime Cervantes gives Aaron a much better fight than he did in their actual meeting, but given Tony's swiss cheese defense and Aaron's relentless attack, I feel Cervantes will fall late. Like the others, I feel Pryor's pressure will push Duran to the limit, but besides being better than Aaron defensively, Roberto can slug it out as well. Duran by points.
I think he beats Cervantes by decision in what would be a WAR! He and Benitez would basically be a pick em. Duran stops him late. And I looovveee Pryor and think he was awesome. But a prime Duran was more awesome.