Thread: Roberto Duran vs Aaron Pryor at 140

Who'd win this? I think Duran gets his ass beat.

Both guys were 'Warriors' back then.

Impossible to pick a winner.

First... that matchup would put today's PPV matchups to shame. That would've been a classic. Pryor had sort of a meteoric rise and fall... so it's hard to gauge exactly how he would've fared against Duran. In terms of career and achievements there's no comparison. But Pyror also beat one of my favorite fighters ever..... twice. His knockouts of Alexis Arguello were spectacular. There was nothing "El Flaco Explosivo" could do to get Pryor off of him. The guy had no reverse gear. That's why a matchup with Duran would've been so great. But I favor Duran by close decision. I can't say Duran would've knocked him out, because Arguello hit Pryor with some flush hellacious shots and "The Hawk" just blinked and kept on coming. Arguello visibly, mentally wilted a bit after that. But I can't say Pryor would beat Duran, either. Duran was a fighting machine, with bad intentions. He beat a peak SRL in their first fight... and I'm fairly certain SRL takes Pryor if they had ever fought. I know the A-B-C theory doesn't wash in boxing, but it's one of the few comparisons I could come up with at the moment.

Duran by hard fought decision.

Fight of the decade is as best as i can predict.

If you are talking about the Duran that beat Cuevas, Palomino and Leonard, he'll beat Pryor pretty easy. He'll hurt him to the body, as Arguello did in the 2nd fight. Also, Pryor often had his feet together and otherwise had balance issues. He got dropped several times due to that.

Originally Posted by greynotsoold

he'll beat Pryor pretty easy.

Hmmm... bold words bro, bold words.

The Duran of 1980 BEATS Pryor of 1980. Pryor was simply too careless, he would've walked into some heavy duty Duran punches and would not have got up swinging his arms around like a windmill.
Pryor was super hyped up before every fight, the bottle controversy has tarnished his reputation and Duran in 1980 was every bit the beast and legend that has made him famous in boxing.
Pryor's best wins were against an old Cervantes and built up featherweight Arguello, Pryor facing a determined 12 year veteran with hands of stone is a different ball game altogether.

I give Pryor more chance of beating Leonard in 1980 than him beating Duran.

The last time we ever saw Roberto Duran at his best was June 1980. If that had've been Roberto Duran's last fight he would still be regarded as an all time great and boxing legend.
See pre fight ring instructions Leonard V Duran 1, look closely at Duran, he is focused, he look mean, he is switched on, look closely at Leonard, he looks away from Duran, he looks at his feet, he tries not to make eye contact and i cannot help thinking he was a beaten man right there and then, he has a look of a man who is thinking "what the fuck am i doing here"?

Duran knew it too, he knew it after the fight also and it all went to his head leading to poor preparation for the rematch just 6 months later. Duran should've made Leonard stew for at least 12 months. Leonard to his credit turned that psychological advantage completely around, worked on plan b and caused the most embarrassing moment in Duran's career.

I have re-assessed Aaron Pryor, i don't think he beats Duran, Leoanrd or Mayweather. Both Chavez and Tszyu had huge punching power and at some point in all the mayhem Pryor would get caught. by both. Whitaker would make Pryor look foolish!

Duran could be out boxed by Pryor is not doing that. Duran should win in a thriller going the full 12/15 rounds of mayhem provided Pryor does not drink from the infamous black bottle.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

First... that matchup would put today's PPV matchups to shame. That would've been a classic. Pryor had sort of a meteoric rise and fall... so it's hard to gauge exactly how he would've fared against Duran. In terms of career and achievements there's no comparison. But Pyror also beat one of my favorite fighters ever..... twice. His knockouts of Alexis Arguello were spectacular. There was nothing "El Flaco Explosivo" could do to get Pryor off of him. The guy had no reverse gear. That's why a matchup with Duran would've been so great. But I favor Duran by close decision. I can't say Duran would've knocked him out, because Arguello hit Pryor with some flush hellacious shots and "The Hawk" just blinked and kept on coming. Arguello visibly, mentally wilted a bit after that. But I can't say Pryor would beat Duran, either. Duran was a fighting machine, with bad intentions. He beat a peak SRL in their first fight... and I'm fairly certain SRL takes Pryor if they had ever fought. I know the A-B-C theory doesn't wash in boxing, but it's one of the few comparisons I could come up with at the moment.

Duran by hard fought decision.

Something to consider is that maybe 140 was a bridge too far for Arguello. And if it was......

A brawl for it all is Duran's passion but Pryor was not going to be out boxing Duran. Mr Duran has been underrated in certain areas of the square ring. He forced Leonard to fight. Dejesus 2 he out boxed him leaving the audience and sports professionals with their mouths open. I was at ringside for a few of Duran's fights and the only thing that was more incredible than the action was the speed of critic's jaws hitting the floor. Yes, Duran beats Pryor who was also one of my favorites and very entertaining especially after hitting the canvass in some fights and knocking out the ones who did it. hands of stone had an advantage for years, he was a natural and then he gained some skills.

Originally Posted by THE THIRD MAN

The Duran of 1980 BEATS Pryor of 1980. Pryor was simply to careless, he would've walked into some heavy duty Duran punches and would not have got up swinging his arms around like a windmill.

Pryor's best wins were against an old Cervantes and built up featherweight Arguello, Pryor facing a determined 12 year veteran with hands of stone is different ball game altogether.

I give Pryor more chance of beating Leonard in 1980 than him beating Duran.

The last time we ever saw Roberto Duran at his best was June 1980.

Right on the Mark

Pryor was indeed careless, but he was not chinny.
Pryor also settles down as fights progress.
Both guys never really fought in eras that were packed with prime talent,,especially Duran@ LW.

Originally Posted by SlimTrae

Both guys never really fought in eras that were packed with prime talent,,especially Duran@ LW.

Ain't that the truth.

People talk about this motherfucker like he's invincible at 135 because he beat Esteban DeJesus and Ken Buchanan.