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!
Bookmarks