Pryor was one hell of a fighter, but I just can't see a way for him here. He surprisingly outboxed Arguello at times, but I can't see him doing that to the bigger and faster Leonard. Nor can I see Pryor bull him like Duran did in Montreal. Pryor wasn't as tremendously skilled as Duran and it feels safe to say that Leonard was a better fighter in 1982 than in 1980, having gained the experience of two fights with Duran and one with Hearns along with Kalule and a couple of WW contenders. I think this would be a terrific fight, but it could turn into a beat down at the end. Leonard by TKO.
Agreed. The Pryor that got hit with so many big shots and possibly needed illegal substance to beat a smaller, aged Arguello is not beating any of the Fab Four - or even Benitez.
JT1 - Do you think Benitez would have beaten Hagler? Really? To the original question - SRL inside the distance.
I would pick Leonard by mid rounds tko Both guys had good versatility Leonard is bigger, stronger, probably just as fast and has more power. He is also better defensively. It would be interesting to see who would lead and who would counter. It would behoove Pryornot to go Kamikaze at the outset. He might think it is his best chance - to surprise Leonard and go all out early. If he does this, Pryor is liable to leave himself wide open and get hurt early. If Pryor elects to use his excellent movement from the getgo and try to attack and move, he will be somewhat successful. Gradually, however, Ray will get to him with jabs and body shots. At some point, Pryor will stand still long enough for Leonard to hurt him. Leonard just has too many physical advantages in this matchup.
Confucius & JT1, Thanks for replying. I interpreted JT1's comment (paraphrasing) that if MMH had fought Benitez there would have been a fab 5 as JT1 thinking WB would win. On reflection I see it as JT1 saying that WB would be competitive with MMH. The fact that WB beat Duran, was competitive with SRL & went 15 with Hearns arguably means we should all be discussing a fab 5not a fab 4 anyway. I guess Benitez did not cross over to the mainstream, casual boxing fan like the other 4.
I think what he is saying is that the other four fought each other, and 3 out of the four fought WB. So win, or lose, he is saying that had Hagler and WB fought, it would have been called the fab five, regardless of the outcome of that fight. Whereas my comments were based more on skill level, rather than who fought who.
Exactly, the Fab 4 all fought each other. For Benitez to make it the Fab 5 he would have had to fight Hagler, thus completing the cirtcuit. I'm pretty sure this is what the Fab 4 moniker was based on, they'd all fought each other. I hope i'm bloody right now hahaha
Sugar Ray Leonard would have won handily in a bout with Aaron Pryor, who was smaller and relatively easy to hit. - Chuck Johnston