Sugar Ray Leonard vs Aaron Pryor in 1982

Heck of a fight. I would pick Ray but this is tough. Pryor had fast hands himself so Ray could not box as much, but he would probably use his jab and try to set up the left hook. I pick Ray by late round knockout about round 8 or 9, but Pryor winning this would not have shocked me.

 

Ray easily .. Don't think Pryor could get much past 144 lbs. And the more weight he carries around, he would start to lose his hand speed and work rate

 

You would think that because Pryor was so good at 140. But the reality is that Pryor had zero experience at 147... And you really can't assume that a fighter will look the same carrying around 7 more pounds for the first time … Ray just too big and skilled for Pryor

 

Aaron would give Ray a fit, he's quick

 

In my opinion Pryor lacked the chin and defensive ability to beat a big, elite welterweight like Leonard. Aaron was nowhere near as strong as Duran, did punch nearly as hard and had nowhere near the concrete chin Duran possessed. If Pryor had so much trouble with a regular stick n move welterweight like Gary Hinton then he would have been in deep water vs Leonard.

Cervantes and Arguello were the only two elite fighters Pryor fought and both were elderly and in Arguello's case fighting above his best weight which was 130-135.

Aaron should have been world lightweight champion, in my humble that was his best weight but unfortunately Pryor was studiously avoided by all the lightweight champions of the day.

Cheers All.

 

You are right. But Pryor was so motivated and pumped up always. Some might say he was pumped up for a reason. It would have been a great fight. Think about all the opportunities Ray had. Benitez, Duran,Hearns and then Pryor possibly. How many fighters have that list to fight?

 

This is actually a great post.

 

It would be an interesting fight. Ray would be trying to get room to land his big punch. Ray would be the puncher in this one.

 

Leonard scores some knockdowns on his way to win a clear decision.

Love Pryor he was a very exciting fighter but hes not on Rays level.