Sweet pea vs Pryor @140

People, with the exception of Sweet Pea, are most likely picking Sweet Pea just because he had the better resume. As already mentioned, Pryor was an absolute beast at 140, and actually fought a very good version of Arguello in their first fight. In fact, had Alexis fought any other 140lb fighter other than Pryor that night, he would have probably won the bout.

Pryor's resume is through no fault of his own, nobody wanted to fight him during his prime. I don't think Leonard ducked him to fight Hagler at middleweight, makes no sense to me that, but Leonard vs pryor at 140 would have been a very competitive affair.

Considering Pryor's relentless style, power, stamina, and underrated accuracy I would make him the favourite at 140. Sure, Pea doesn't get hit as often as Arguello did, but Pryor had very good handspeed himself and never looked vunerable at 140. The man was unbelievable at that weight.

Make him the favourite by clear but close UD over both 12 and 15.

 

Leonard's fight with Hearns is what caused his detached retine, and his subsequent retirement after the Finch fight. At that time Pryor was pre-occupied defending his JWW title and awaiting the rematch with Arguello. The fight was not really even considered by even Pryor around that time, as it was pretty much a passed opportunity by that stage, even Pryor knew it.

There was the opportunity for him to have fought a lot of fighters that he didn't fight, why should an unproven JWW have been considereda hot ticket for him when he had much bigger fish to fry, such as actual Welterweights? It's only in hindsight that people consider this situation to have been a duck on Leonard's part because of A) What Pryor would go on to become, but wasn't at the time, and B) They're simply misinformed on the circumstances of the time.

Leonard never ducked Pryor, anymore than Wlad ducked Haye when called out. If I call out Tyson and he refuses the fight, does that mean he ducked me? No, it means there were better, more realistic, useful options.

 

Leonard was a Welterweight, by the way.

 

To be clear, I don't think it's out of line to favor Pryor over Whitaker at 140. I see this fight being a very close, competitive affair that could potentially be very difficult to score, depending on what you prefer. I'd just have liked to have seen Pryor tested against more styles, particularly the pure boxers, movers, etc.

 

I know that. atsch

I was just assuming he would have moved down to fight Pryor.

 

There is no question that Pryor would have caused problems for Whitaker. Because he was fairly fast, and his workrate was so high, he would have been awkward for any fighter to deal with. I don't think Pernell can hurt Pryor, and as elusive as he was, he does get hit in this fight, and Pryor's stamina isn't likely to fold in a 12 round affair. I've got to make Pryor the favourite at his natural weight.

 

Why the **** would Leonard starve himself to make 140lbs? I'm not convinced he could even do it in a healthy manner by that point.

 

Pryor was actually a natural LW as well. He moved up for similar reasons to Napoles, he just wasn't getting the opportunities.

I agree that Whitaker couldn't hurt Pryor, but I actually think Whitaker would be just as likely if not moreso than Pryor to score a KD, although it would likely be of the flash variety. I think this because of Pryor's balance in relation to Whitaker's. Whitaker had fantastic balance from damn near any position, and was a master at slipping and moving, leaving opponents off balance, and countering with accurate shots. Pryor's lack of balance and wild style would likely make him vulnerable to a scenario like this on a few occasions. Not hurt, but out-smarted and paying the price for it.

I generally think Whitaker gets the better of the early rounds due to the issues mentioned above, while Pryor starts to come on late, as his stamina was ever strong and his style relentless. I would favor Pea to take the close Decision though, something like 8-4 or 7-5 in a very competitive, interesting affair.

 

Pryor was the one calling out Leonard. Leonard was the marquee attraction of the lower weights, the one with the big fights lined up, the shot-caller. If Pryor ever wanted any shot at him he'd have been moving up. Pryor knew this as well. Non-debatable.

 

I think Leonard could have done 140, but you're right, he would have demanded Pryor move up. It was Pryor who needed the fight, not Leonard.

I can assure you however, I didn't think Leonard was ever campaigning at 140.

Absolutely.

 

I would expect you to pick Whitaker, but because of how close this fight would be, I give Pryor the benefit of the doubt because his best weight was 140.

 

What suggests to you that Leonard would be making 140lbs? Pryor definitely would have to make Welterweight.

 

I'll say this... it would be no mismatch like the Margarito fight we were discussing a day or two ago.

This one is competitive to the end.