Aaron Pryor's 1983 "retirement"

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by AntonioMartin1, Mar 19, 2023.


  1. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    So, I remember when Aaron Pryor said he'd retire after his rematch with Alexis Arguello.

    This retirement was short-lived. Sugar Ray Leonard announced his return, Johnny Bumphus won Pryor's vacated WBA world Junior Welterweight title, and Pryor, in a move that went almost unnoticed by the pop media, also announced his return, he got promptly recognized as world champion by the IBF, Leonard got dropped by Kevin Howard in his comeback fight and re-retired, Ray Mancini lost to Livingstone Bramble, Bumphus lost to Gene Hatcher in the same undercard as Mancini-Bramble I, Edwin Rosario almost lost to Howard Davis Jr (and then lost to Jose Luis Ramirez in their rematch) and Pryor made two largely uninspired defenses, fueled by his inner demons at the time, a drug addiction.

    I was very excited by both returns and spent countless hours talking to family and friends about potential fights for both Leonard and Pryor, including Leonard-Pryor.

    My question is: Pryor only was out for something like seven months, so how short is it too short, or how soon is it too soon for it to be really considered a retirement and a comeback?
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2023
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Technically speaking once you officially retire and then return to the ring it’s called “ a comeback.” I’m not sure if there are any guidelines with respect to time for it to be called such
     
  3. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah that "retirement" was certainly short lived. I had just started boxing when Pryor was towards the end of his career but one memory I have was how close a Pryor vs Mancini fight was. Mancini had to beat Bramble and it would have been a go. Unfortunately he lost and we didn't get to see that premiere matchup of Mancini vs Pryor. Style wise it would have been a fun one but definitely a fight that Pryor would be tue favorite in. Too bad drugs cut his career short.
     
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  4. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He was a great fighter, didn't he beat both Leonard and Hearns in the amateurs as well?
     
  5. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    I know he outclassed Hearns.. I wonder how'd he done against both in the pros. Im certain a prime Leonard in the Welters beats him, unless they fought about 1984 when Ray was already struggling to get down to 147...
     
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    It's so disappointing.....just when Aaron had done the hard yards and was about to reap the rewards both financially and (potentially) historically the wheels fell off life wise. He was at the top of his game.
     
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  7. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Maybe it all was for the better.....much later on, he found religion and I believe, died at peace. Had he made all that money in those fights, who knows. Money, after all, doesn't always bring a good ending.
     
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  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    True enough but i was mainly thinking legacy wise and wasted talent. It's always a shame when a boxer doesn't make the most or close to it of his gifts.
     
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  9. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Very true too!
     
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  10. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    It’s not a stretch to say he was on a trajectory to be possibly the greatest fighter of all time or certainly one of them.
     
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  11. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It's a big stretch actually. In order for that to have happened, he needed to fight SRL and Duran. Both fights that he had and passed on because he wanted more money through a new re negotiated contract with his manager, Buddy LaRosa. Aaron Pryor straight out BLEW IT.
    So sad that he passed on probably the 2 best opportunities a fighter could possibly get in the History of the sport. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose. And unfortunately, has no one to blame but himself
     
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  12. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    He was undefeated and had already beaten two hall of famers and compiled a 10-0 world title fight record before his career came to an abrupt end in 1985. There were lot of fights to be had and if it weren’t for his lifestyle probably could have achieved a lot more with or without Leonard and Duran.
     
  13. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    you really believe that?? the 140 pound division at the time and beating a past it AA, who was up yet again in weight, and Cervantes who was on the way out is hardly a case for on track for one of the best fighters of all time, let alone the best 140 fighter of all time. He wasnt a drug addict at the time. He passed on those 2 fights and drugs had nothing to do with it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2023
  14. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I still have yet to watch that Booby Joe Young fight, his only loss, amybe later tonight.
     
  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I didn’t say that his drug problem had anything to do with his passing on Leonard or Duran. Only that it caused his career to end prematurely. But if you think that fighting Leonard and Duran is the only pathway to greatness then go with it