Fights That Never Happened: Leonard vs Pryor

[P4P Opinion]

For whatever reason, be it by outright ducking or circumstance, some excellent match-ups in boxing have never happened over the years (will Mayweather-Pacquiao be added to the list?). In this series of threads, I want to ask who you feel would have won the match-up in question, in the context of the time the fight would have occured.

The year is 1982 and Aaron Pryor has just defeated Alexis Arguello in an all-time classic fight to defend his light-welterweight championship. Sugar Ray Leonard is coming off the back of an epic, victorious battle with Thomas Hearns and an easy blowout of fringe contender Bruce Finch.

Who wins and why?

[bojangles1987]

I'd take Leonard by tough decision. Not sure Pryor could have done the same thing Duran did.

[Forza]

sugar by late round TKO

[BigStereotype]

Pryor was a monster, but I think he's a little overrated personally, and I don't think he would have known what to do if Sugar boxed him. Not saying he couldn't handle a boxer, but this isn't just any boxer, it's Sugar Ray Leonard and I think Ray would outclass him.

[prinzemanspopa]

Honestly,you're making more of Pryor than what he actually was.This is only deemed an "excellent match-up" by those who believe Pryor was this feared fighter who everyody from 147-160 ducked and avoided - even though Pryor himself blatantly ducked oth Leonard and Pryor - neither of whom had any obligation to fight him,either.



Leonard,a far superior boxer/fighter than Pryor ever was,would no doubt make Pryor look silly and then render him unconscious with a single left hook to the noggin.


Pryor was good;the Sugarman was great!

[forget]

Leonard was another class. Add that to the fact he would have been to big, strong, fast and skilled. There is a reason Pryor would not want the biggest payday of his career.

[Dynamite76]

Leonard KO 3 Pryor.