Mythical Match Up #1: Ray Leonard vs. Aaron Pryor (Spring, 1982)

[Hop]

I'm new here and I apologize that I originally posted this in the "Non Stop Boxing" section of the forum. Let's try it again ...

Sugar Ray Leonard was one of the most skilled boxers ever. Aaron Pryor was the epitome of a wild man-warrior. Unfortunately for boxing fans, these two never met up in the ring (though Pryor tried repeatedly to make it so). The best chance for it happening would've been around '82 or '83. So ...

Q: In your opinion, if Ray Leonard and Aaron Pryor had fought, how would it have gone down?

Would like to hear thought from those boxing fans who actually remember past generations of fighters. I might chime in later.


Here's a short vid on Pryor and the rivalry you might enjoy:

[Boxing Bob]

back then I was a serious Pryor fan and hated Leonard, but looking at it realistically Leonard wins an easy decision here. While Pryor was ultra aggressive, Leonard had faster hands, better footwork, better coordination, was at the least as powerful as Pryor, and was the naturally bigger man. Too many advantages for Leonard, comfortable decision win for him

[Scott9945]

back then I was a serious Pryor fan and hated Leonard, but looking at it realistically Leonard wins an easy decision here. While Pryor was ultra aggressive, Leonard had faster hands, better footwork, better coordination, was at the least as powerful as Pryor, and was the naturally bigger man. Too many advantages for Leonard, comfortable decision win for him

I agree with all of that, except I think that Leonard stops him by the 8th or 9th round.

[Salardo]

Pryor was Leonard's sparring partner for a long time, so Leonard knew him very well.

[rightsideup]

I think ray stops him as well. Pryor was open to being hit and although he took alexis bombs(he was a feather weight champ at one point.) Ray had underated power.

[Hop]

back then I was a serious Pryor fan and hated Leonard, but looking at it realistically Leonard wins an easy decision here. While Pryor was ultra aggressive, Leonard had faster hands, better footwork, better coordination, was at the least as powerful as Pryor, and was the naturally bigger man. Too many advantages for Leonard, comfortable decision win for him

I have Leonard by decision as well (though I don't believe anyone is "sure'), but am nearly shocked by the one part of your response where you say that Ray was "at least as powerful as Pryor". Huh? I don't get that at all. Pryor has one of highest KO% I've ever seen for a career of his length (87.5%). Leonard's is a rather low 62.5%. So I can't go alone with that part of your assessment, nor that it would be "easy" or "comfortable" for Ray, but I too side with Leonard (by UD).

[Boxing Bob]

I have Leonard by decision as well (though I don't believe anyone is "sure'), but am nearly shocked by the one part of your response where you say that Ray was "at least as powerful as Pryor". Huh? I don't get that at all. Pryor has one of highest KO% I've ever seen for a career of his length (87.5%). Leonard's is a rather low 62.5%. So I can't go alone with that part of your assessment, nor that it would be "easy" or "comfortable" for Ray, but I too side with Leonard (by UD).

numbers don't always tell the story, who Leonard KOed and who Pryor KOed is where the truth lies. There is virtually no one on Pryors list of KO victims that Leonard wouldn't have done the same. There are plenty (Benitez, Hearns,etc) that no way five foot six Pryor KOes. When I use the terms easy and comfortable, I didn't mean the fight itself, I meant the scorecards, as in it would be easy to see that Leonard won and he would have won by a comfortable margin. Who cares what you "can't go along with". I am entitled to my opinion

[Hop]

numbers don't always tell the story, who Leonard KOed and who Pryor KOed is where the truth lies. There is virtually no one on Pryors list of KO victims that Leonard wouldn't have done the same. There are plenty (Benitez, Hearns,etc) that no way five foot six Pryor KOes. When I use the terms easy and comfortable, I didn't mean the fight itself, I meant the scorecards, as in it would be easy to see that Leonard won and he would have won by a comfortable margin. Who cares what you "can't go along with". I am entitled to my opinion

Those last couple lines really surprised me. I thought we were having a good boxing discussion. Defensive. Disappointing.

[Scott9945]

I have Leonard by decision as well (though I don't believe anyone is "sure'), but am nearly shocked by the one part of your response where you say that Ray was "at least as powerful as Pryor". Huh? I don't get that at all. Pryor has one of highest KO% I've ever seen for a career of his length (87.5%). Leonard's is a rather low 62.5%. So I can't go alone with that part of your assessment, nor that it would be "easy" or "comfortable" for Ray, but I too side with Leonard (by UD).

You can't even begin to compare the level of competition they both faced. Take away Cervantes and Arguello (both past either their prime or best weight) and all you have is B level opposition for Pryor.

[Humean]

numbers don't always tell the story, who Leonard KOed and who Pryor KOed is where the truth lies. There is virtually no one on Pryors list of KO victims that Leonard wouldn't have done the same. There are plenty (Benitez, Hearns,etc) that no way five foot six Pryor KOes. When I use the terms easy and comfortable, I didn't mean the fight itself, I meant the scorecards, as in it would be easy to see that Leonard won and he would have won by a comfortable margin. Who cares what you "can't go along with". I am entitled to my opinion

He never said you weren't entitled to your opinion, he said he simply disagreed with you.


Leonard by KO for me, maybe even fairly early. Pryor had a nasty habit of leaving his chin in the air, Leonard was too skillful, smart and big not to take advantage of that and KO Pryor.