SRL said "he would fight WBA Champ Pipino Cuevas, and former LW Champ Roberto Duran, or any other qualified top contender. Plus a rematch with Benitez was possible." https://news.google.com/newspapers?...AAAIBAJ&sjid=EuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6775,67251&hl=en
Maybe he should have fought Cuevas first, then Duran. But he may have lost to Hearns the first time, though. Ray needed that Montreal fight, as much as I hate to admit it, to complete the mission.
Exactly right. Losing to Duran made him a better fighter. I can't fault the way he was brought along or the opposition he faced. No-one will look back and think what if about any of the WW he didn't face because he fought and beat the three best of that time in Benitez, Duran and Hearns.
Pryor never fought at 147 until his comeback against Bobby Joe Young. He was routinely dropped by mediocre 140 lb guys. The bigger stronger more powerful and defensively sound Leonard would not have had many problems with prime 140 lb. Pryor.
