Pryor ?

Flying High: The Aaron Pyor Story Flying High: The Aaron Pyor Story By Ryan "Asian Sensation" Songalia, Photo courtesy Boxing Monthly 5-18-2006 http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/content/0511/images/two.jpg Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor is one of the more interesting fighters of the last quarter of the 20th century. Universally considered one of the top three junior welterweight champions of all time, the story of his life outside the ring was almost as turbulent as his life in the ring. His pure animalistic demeanor in the ring allowed you a peek into the heart of a man on the edge. Having his crew follow him around screaming "Hawk Time", Pryor was a very intimidating force. He was hungrier than any other fighter I have ever seen on film or in person. He was as raw a beast as they come, a man who truly didn't give a damn about anything. He would come forward for every second of every round tossing punches, each one intended to end the fight early. Growing up in abject poverty in Cincinatti, Pryor had to endure adversity for the majority of his young life. Having to cope without proper guidance and adult supervision, it appeared his life was headed in the direction of his siblings, most of which would become drug addicts and derelicts. Seeking healthy activities, he picked up the sport of boxing. In a short period of time, Pryor was surprised by his proficieny in the sweet science. After dominating Tommy Hearns in the 1975 National Golden Gloves, Pryor was thought by most boxing pundits to be America's top amateur and a sure shot gold medalst. However, he failed to make the 1976 Olympics Boxing team when he was upset by the eventual gold medalist Howard Davis in a qualifying match. Without the major contract that goes along with being an Olympian, he tore through the professional ranks en route to a 24-0 record. Then in 1980, he got his first title shot against Columbian legend Antonio "Kid" Cervantes. Cervantes, who had four times the amount of fights as the challenger, had built an early lead on the scorecards after dropping Pryor. Pryor turned the fight around in the fourth, ending the fight with one lightning right hand and winning the WBA junior welterweight title. Finding it hard to secure bouts with big name fighters like Leonard and Mancini, he kept busy with mandatories while racking up five successful title defenses. Then, in 1982, Pryor signed to face former three division champion Alexis "El Flaco Explosivo" in the biggest fight of his career. In the fight of the decade, both fighters fought like the champions they were. Fighting in front of a partisan crowd in Miami, Arguello was installed a 2-1 favorite to win the title. Pryor, having waited his entire life for the opportunity to prove himself to the world, set a very intense pace in the early rounds. Pryor swarmed the Nicaraguan legend with punches while Arguello valiantly returned fire. Fighting the fight of his life, Arguello turned the tables in the middle rounds and began to become very accurate with his storied right hand. Feeling the momentum slipping away, Pryor began to settle down, resorting back to using boxing technique to become more accurate with his own blows. Bending down to keep Arguello of balance, Pryor started to become very effective throwing punches from unconventional angles. Having recaptured functional control of the fight, Pryor started to come on very strong in the later rounds of the fight. Then in the foruteen round, Arguello could no longer stand up to the accumulation of punishment, being stopped brutally against the ropes after absorbing a volley of vicious, unanswered blows from the Cincinatti warrior. However, after the fight, there was controversy about interactions between Pryor and his trainer Al "Panama" Lewis. Two times during the bout, Lewis commanded Pryor to drink from a black bottle that many believe contained a performance enhancing substance. Compounded by the newly instated Florida State Boxing Commission's failure to administer a post fight urine test, the public demanded that they meet again. In an attempt to quell the criticism and add credability to his initial victory, the 2 fighters signed to face each other again 10 months later in a rematch of their epic bout. Arguello fought bravely until the tenth round, when Pryor's constant assault and pressure broke Arguello's will. After going down voluntarily to escape further punishment, he remained on the seat of his pants until the count of ten. In the post fight press conference, Arguello revealed that he stayed down to prevent serious injury. On the top of the boxing world, Pryor flirted with megafights against some of the sport's brightest stars. However, Pryor failed to capitalize on his success and secure another major fight. After relinquishing the WBA title in favor of the upstart IBF, the party life he lived outside of the ring began to take it's toll on Pryor's career. Fighting infrequently against non descript opposition, Pryor lost to Bobby Joe Young by seventh round TKO with his better days clearly behind him. Aaron Pryor retired in 1990 with a final record of 39-1 (35 KO). It was later revealed that Pryor had been fighting with a malignant eye injury and retired from the ring. Years on the party circuit had transformed him from a top notch fighter into a crack cocaine addict with regular run ins with the law. Forced with the ultimatum to turn his life around or die a premature death, Pryor cleaned up became a pastor in his hometown of Cincinatti, Ohio. Today, the closest comparison to Pryor can be seen in Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, who had experienced similar disadvantageous circumstances growing up in the ghettos of the Filipino island of Mindinao, displays similar intensity in the ring and an unbreakable will. His whirlwind offensive attack and hit and get hit strategy make him the type of force of nature that hasn't been seen since "The Hawk" hung up the gloves a decade and a half ago. With his illustrious career behind him, "The Hawk" still maintains his religious responsibilities with his church. In addition to his theological endeavors, he also owns and manages his own gym where his son Aaron Jr., a promising professional prospect, trains. In 1996, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Aaron Pryor's against the odds success story is one of boxing's greatest legends, one that belongs in the pantheon of boxing lore. Ryan Songalia is a syndicated columnist. If you have any feedback, his e-mail address is mc_rson@yahoo.com. His Myspace address is http://www.myspace.com/asian_sensation201. He is a proud member of Team Pinoy.

I gotta say that what made Pryor one of the baddest WW was that he could take any punch you could throw at him, I think he beat Hearns as an amateur or the way to the olympics, i'm not sure. Now i'm nicaraguan and i've seen every round of arguello/pryor, and that son of a bitch took some shots that should have broke his fuckin neck or at least sent his head into the cheap seats(what was in the magic bottle? Crack, crystal meth..j/king). Every fight that man was in he'd have nothing but a smile for his opponents hardest shots, and if you knocked him down, he'd get up knock you the fuck out. It sucks that he(& Argeullo actually,) fell into drugs, but he couldn't have a very long career with his style of fighting.I dont know about the whole contraversy involved in that fight, and it hurts to say this but he didn't need that bottle, that's just how he does his thing. I dont think he would have beat SRL, but that would have been a fight. Took a lot to post that...and yes Pryor did beat Hearns in the amateurs...whooped his ass; and then lost a controversial decision to Howard Davis. Butch Lewis has said guys "that know" told him that Leonard moved UP just to keep from fighting in the same weight class as Pryor. I'm not sure who would have won had Leonard and Pryor fought for the Welterweight Belt in 1982; but it would have been worth the price of admission, to say the least, IMO.

I gotta say that what made Pryor one of the baddest WW was that he could take any punch you could throw at him, I think he beat Hearns as an amateur or the way to the olympics, i'm not sure. Now i'm nicaraguan and i've seen every round of arguello/pryor, and that son of a bitch took some shots that should have broke his fuckin neck or at least sent his head into the cheap seats(what was in the magic bottle? Crack, crystal meth..j/king). Every fight that man was in he'd have nothing but a smile for his opponents hardest shots, and if you knocked him down, he'd get up knock you the fuck out. It sucks that he(& Argeullo actually,) fell into drugs, but he couldn't have a very long career with his style of fighting.I dont know about the whole contraversy involved in that fight, and it hurts to say this but he didn't need that bottle, that's just how he does his thing. I dont think he would have beat SRL, but that would have been a fight.

Thanks ,Ima try to see more of his fight's

That's what I had heard K-Dogg, and from the few fight's I saw of his he seemed just as you described him. I saw some stuff where some ppl were saying SRL ducked him because of Amateur's or something,it's sad that the drug's shortened his run. Atleast he got his life together saw he was a Preacher now, tried to show him some love he doesn't get much on this board. Karma to you then for recognizing him. He was one of the best fighters to ever lace up gloves.

That's what I had heard K-Dogg, and from the few fight's I saw of his he seemed just as you described him. I saw some stuff where some ppl were saying SRL ducked him because of Amateur's or something,it's sad that the drug's shortened his run. Atleast he got his life together saw he was a Preacher now, tried to show him some love he doesn't get much on this board.

Is there a bio video or something on him?? ill have to search for that... The only thing I'm aware of is the HBO "Legendary Nights" special on his famous first fight wit Argueello; but there's some footage that hints of his capabilities and toughness.

Best 140Lb champ ever. He wasn't around long; but he showed enough to convince me he could hang with any figher who ever lived. He was a bad mo-fo who could box, punch, and if you knocked him down, he'd get up, spit in your eye, and kick your ass. B-A-DD...BAADD. Is there a bio video or something on him?? ill have to search for that...

Where do you guy's rate him all time? At 140 specifically and just overall? From what I saw he seemed like a great fighter and most historians say so, besides the drug use why do you guy's think he's not talked about like the other legends of his era? Best 140Lb champ ever. He wasn't around long; but he showed enough to convince me he could hang with any figher who ever lived. He was a bad mo-fo who could box, punch, and if you knocked him down, he'd get up, spit in your eye, and kick your ass. B-A-DD...BAADD.

Yea I feel you Rosewood he still only had 1 loss which says something,I saw a special 1 to and he was saying how top fighters of that era often ducked him. He ranks high with the Burt Sugar's of the world, but he doesn't get much love on these type of message boards thought I'd ask the fella's why.

Where do you guy's rate him all time? At 140 specifically and just overall? From what I saw he seemed like a great fighter and most historians say so, besides the drug use why do you guy's think he's not talked about like the other legends of his era? dont where if i could rank him..but without the drug use he could has gone far...the guy was alright...i saw a special on him once..their is a guy on here that know alot about him..maybe he will come post something for you.