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AARON PRYOR VS TODAY'S JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
by MMcKenna from Seconds Out
On the prompting of an interested reader I thought I’d match the Cincinnati Hawk Aaron Pryor against the premier fighters at 140 lb.
Pryor was one of the toughest matchups for just about any Junior Welter that ever lived - with a feverish work rate , an awkward style and an iron chin he made stylistically superior fighters wilt mentally and physically.
Destroying long time division no.1 Antonio Cervantes in 1980 ( KO 4 ) He is best known for his two contests with hall of famer Alexis Arguello , besting the explosive thin man in two wars, the first being universally recognized as a super fight and possibly the best in the division’s history.
Also on Pryor’s resume were quality wins against unbeaten pugs Dujuan Johnson ( KO 7 ) and Akio Kameda ( KO 6 ).
The only opponent to beat two shades out of Aaron was crack ******* , but happily these days that war has also been won.
Without further ado , let’s see how the Hawk , 39-1(35) does against the cream of 2010.
Today’s Subject - The Hawk VS The Top 5 Junior Welterweights
1. MANNY PACQUIAO - 51-3-2(39)
A fascinating bout pitting two similarily sized Junior Welters in height , reach and style.
Both fighters will think they are meeting a mirror image of themselves , back to front.
A slight edge in speed goes to Manila Ice , but the difference will be in who can absorb punishment in this one. If Pryor can absorb Arguello’s bombs it is likely he can walk through Pacquaio and force the fight. Both fighters workrates are maniacal , with Manny using more movement and angles than Pryor.
It is likely Pryor might take a knockdown along the way but his natural size and anvil like jaw decides this one over twelve frenetic stanzas. Both men will be busted up and have mutual respect when the final bell tolls.
PRYOR W 12 PACQUAIO
2. TIMOTHY BRADLEY - 25-0(11) ,1 NC
At 26 Bradley appears to be coming into his prime with quality distance wins over Junior Witter , Lamont Peteerson and Kendall Holt.
Although a speedy well schooled guy he just doesn’t have the firepower necessary to negate Pryor’s swarming mentality and constant pressure.
I see a tight bout for first few rounds before Pryor breaks through and stuns Bradley with a right hand from his boots.
Bradley gets taken to school and broken down by round nine when the referee makes a well timed intervention.
PRYOR KO 9 BRADLEY
3. DEVON ALEXANDER - 20-0(13)
Alexander looked the truth last time out stopping tough as teak Juan Urango in eight rounds. At 23 and just over 5’7 he is a versatile boxer/puncher with excellent combinations and a solid 300 plus amateur background.
This will serve him well as the bout will end up looking at times like a track meet.
Pryor has no issues with taller guys(See amateur win over Tommy Hearns and Pro win over beanstalk Arguello ) , and like Alexander all styles have been encountered in his 204-16 amateur record before his whirlwind pro career began.
I see a bit of grit and versatility in Alexander so I will go with Pryor by UD. Alexander occasionally analyses situations for rounds at time and Pryor has no time for that ..He’s too busy trying to take your head off.
PRYOR W 12 ALEXANDER
4. AMIR KHAN - 22-1(16)
Amir Khan..you poor bastard for drawing the Junior Welter Henry Armstrong...
Since taking up with Freddie Roach the 5’10 Khan has made marked improvements in defense , movement and punch placement. He is a likeable guy who can box,punch and is learning to think on the fly.
But....
The Prescott loss inside a minute sticks in your head like a bad dream. I just see Khan completely susceptible to a big punch and the frenzied pressure that Pryor puts on him will be as welcome to him as a cup of cold sick.
Pryor may take a few jabs and right hands , but an early body attack and a combination against the ropes similar to the one he used to decimate Cervantes will render Khan helpless by round two.
Remember the bit in Rocky where Apollo Creed’s trainer says to him ’ This guy is all wrong for us ’? - Ditto
PRYOR KO 2 KHAN
5. RICKY HATTON - 45-2(32)
If you imagine two mack trucks colliding at 100 kms an hour this is your matchup.
Hatton is well known to fans as a constant walk forward fighter - His body attack , size and relentless pressure have resulted in his premier win over Divison all timer Kostya Tszyu ( KO 11 ) and a shot Jose Luis Castillo ( KO 4 ) At 140 lbs , and Welterweight wins against Luis Collazo and Juan Urango also look decent on paper.
Unfortunately defensively this looks like a mismatch.
Hatton can be hit , dropped and hurt due to his lack of angles , head movement and his well chronicled fluctuating weight.
Pryor makes Junior Welter with no probs at all ( He is a fat lightweight after all ) and his far superior Boxing ability , rhythm , timing and punching makes this a fun fight , but a short one. Just a tad longer than the Pacmans destruction of the Mancunian shall we say...
PRYOR KO 4 HATTON
There you go - another 1980’s favourite goes 5-0 against the cream of today.
Just goes to show in 2010 it still is ’ Hawk Time ’.
by MMcKenna from Seconds Out
On the prompting of an interested reader I thought I’d match the Cincinnati Hawk Aaron Pryor against the premier fighters at 140 lb.
Pryor was one of the toughest matchups for just about any Junior Welter that ever lived - with a feverish work rate , an awkward style and an iron chin he made stylistically superior fighters wilt mentally and physically.
Destroying long time division no.1 Antonio Cervantes in 1980 ( KO 4 ) He is best known for his two contests with hall of famer Alexis Arguello , besting the explosive thin man in two wars, the first being universally recognized as a super fight and possibly the best in the division’s history.
Also on Pryor’s resume were quality wins against unbeaten pugs Dujuan Johnson ( KO 7 ) and Akio Kameda ( KO 6 ).
The only opponent to beat two shades out of Aaron was crack ******* , but happily these days that war has also been won.
Without further ado , let’s see how the Hawk , 39-1(35) does against the cream of 2010.
Today’s Subject - The Hawk VS The Top 5 Junior Welterweights
1. MANNY PACQUIAO - 51-3-2(39)
A fascinating bout pitting two similarily sized Junior Welters in height , reach and style.
Both fighters will think they are meeting a mirror image of themselves , back to front.
A slight edge in speed goes to Manila Ice , but the difference will be in who can absorb punishment in this one. If Pryor can absorb Arguello’s bombs it is likely he can walk through Pacquaio and force the fight. Both fighters workrates are maniacal , with Manny using more movement and angles than Pryor.
It is likely Pryor might take a knockdown along the way but his natural size and anvil like jaw decides this one over twelve frenetic stanzas. Both men will be busted up and have mutual respect when the final bell tolls.
PRYOR W 12 PACQUAIO
2. TIMOTHY BRADLEY - 25-0(11) ,1 NC
At 26 Bradley appears to be coming into his prime with quality distance wins over Junior Witter , Lamont Peteerson and Kendall Holt.
Although a speedy well schooled guy he just doesn’t have the firepower necessary to negate Pryor’s swarming mentality and constant pressure.
I see a tight bout for first few rounds before Pryor breaks through and stuns Bradley with a right hand from his boots.
Bradley gets taken to school and broken down by round nine when the referee makes a well timed intervention.
PRYOR KO 9 BRADLEY
3. DEVON ALEXANDER - 20-0(13)
Alexander looked the truth last time out stopping tough as teak Juan Urango in eight rounds. At 23 and just over 5’7 he is a versatile boxer/puncher with excellent combinations and a solid 300 plus amateur background.
This will serve him well as the bout will end up looking at times like a track meet.
Pryor has no issues with taller guys(See amateur win over Tommy Hearns and Pro win over beanstalk Arguello ) , and like Alexander all styles have been encountered in his 204-16 amateur record before his whirlwind pro career began.
I see a bit of grit and versatility in Alexander so I will go with Pryor by UD. Alexander occasionally analyses situations for rounds at time and Pryor has no time for that ..He’s too busy trying to take your head off.
PRYOR W 12 ALEXANDER
4. AMIR KHAN - 22-1(16)
Amir Khan..you poor bastard for drawing the Junior Welter Henry Armstrong...
Since taking up with Freddie Roach the 5’10 Khan has made marked improvements in defense , movement and punch placement. He is a likeable guy who can box,punch and is learning to think on the fly.
But....
The Prescott loss inside a minute sticks in your head like a bad dream. I just see Khan completely susceptible to a big punch and the frenzied pressure that Pryor puts on him will be as welcome to him as a cup of cold sick.
Pryor may take a few jabs and right hands , but an early body attack and a combination against the ropes similar to the one he used to decimate Cervantes will render Khan helpless by round two.
Remember the bit in Rocky where Apollo Creed’s trainer says to him ’ This guy is all wrong for us ’? - Ditto
PRYOR KO 2 KHAN
5. RICKY HATTON - 45-2(32)
If you imagine two mack trucks colliding at 100 kms an hour this is your matchup.
Hatton is well known to fans as a constant walk forward fighter - His body attack , size and relentless pressure have resulted in his premier win over Divison all timer Kostya Tszyu ( KO 11 ) and a shot Jose Luis Castillo ( KO 4 ) At 140 lbs , and Welterweight wins against Luis Collazo and Juan Urango also look decent on paper.
Unfortunately defensively this looks like a mismatch.
Hatton can be hit , dropped and hurt due to his lack of angles , head movement and his well chronicled fluctuating weight.
Pryor makes Junior Welter with no probs at all ( He is a fat lightweight after all ) and his far superior Boxing ability , rhythm , timing and punching makes this a fun fight , but a short one. Just a tad longer than the Pacmans destruction of the Mancunian shall we say...
PRYOR KO 4 HATTON
There you go - another 1980’s favourite goes 5-0 against the cream of today.
Just goes to show in 2010 it still is ’ Hawk Time ’.
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