Could Arguello have defeated Pryor at 135?

[la-califa]

How much was the added weight a factor in the outcome? Would Arguello been much more effective at 135?

[sweet_scientist]

The weight was a bit fo a factor, and the age was a bit of a factor as well. Both probably weren't decisive in the fight, but a younger 135 pound Alexis probably would have faired better. I wouldn't dismiss his chances at 135.

If say the Arguello that fought Jim Watt took on Pryor at 135 I think he'd have a decent chance of winning. Probably wouldn't make him favourite, (the fight at 140 was a little too one sided to have that much confidence in Arugello) but he'd definitely make it closer and his shots would make more impact on Pryor there. I'm not positive an 135 pound Pryor takes a shot like the one Alexis landed in the 13th round at 135.

[Street Lethal]

Pryor was a demon. I think his style would always defeat Arguello's.

[bb251]

no...pryor still wins

[divac]

Arguello was making a run at Pryor in those late rounds, and I'll always have great doubt that Pryor would have held off Arguello's usual late run without that black bottle.

......having said that, Arguello most likely fairs better at 135 lbs than he did at 140 lbs!

[Minotauro]

The first fight was close and he was doing better late until Pryor got the second wind (thanks to the black bottle). At 135lbs he would have a good chance he seemed more comfortable there and Pryor looked best at 140lbs rather then 135lbs so it would even it up.

[JohnThomas1]

Alexis would do a bit better for sure. Pryor was at his peak and in his best division, Arguello was miles away from both.

[redrooster]

How much was the added weight a factor in the outcome? Would Arguello been much more effective at 135?

Remember that A-A made it into the 14th round. He wasn't blown out.

Alex-is was slowing down though he was still formidable and marketable fighter. But at that stage, I didn't see him going much further in his career. You could see it in the Busceme fight and even more so in the Ganigan fight. He was fighting in that stiff manner.

This doesn't surprise me having been a pro for 14 years and more than 70 fights. Most fighters don't make it this far, this long against world class competition.

At 135, a few years younger and with less wear on him A-A scores more often and with better accuracy and I don't see him getting hit as often. In fact, much less and this time neither would have that much of an edge in strength so A-A would probably have to be favored.

[Duodenum]

It's hard for me to imagine peak Arguello winning against the Pryor of Miami, except by decision. Could he have slipped and countered enough to outpoint the wide open Hawk?

The most dedicated defensive effort I saw Alexis produce was against James Busceme. He got Arguello in Beaumont, Texas. (Bubba's hometown.) Busceme boxed a very smart match. He didn't even try to hurt Arguello, but attacked him very aggressively with his southpaw jab, trying to steal a scorecard upset at home before an extremely raucous crowd of supporters.

"Flash" Gordon actually had Busceme pitching a shutout going into round six, but Arguello understood exactly what kind of fast one Bubba was trying to pull on him and the judges, and made a diligent effort to slip Busceme's repeated rushes and multiple reaches and flickings of his jab from the right elbow. Unlike Gordon, the three judges had Arguello ahead on all cards going into the sixth and final round, largely because Alexis had rendered Busceme's charges ineffective with his knee bending and slipping.

By the time Arguello challenged Pryor, he had deteriorated from slipping and countering, to countering after getting hit first. As wild as Aaron was, perhaps the poised and elusive Arguello of the Busceme win would have been evasive enough to post a clear 15 round verdict over Pryor. No stoppage victory though. When Hawk faced Alexis he appeared to be genuinely impervious. Arguello would need to be prepared for the 15 round duration.

[Stewbear]

I think Pryor won the first fight even a lot more decively than people often say, though I think a lot of it was to do with Arguello's own detirioation.

[Smokin'Joe100]

No because Pryor would just snort more coke before the fight.

[robert ungurean]

Yes he could have.

[hdog]

I think Arguello definitely has a better shot at 135 but still not too sure he wins it. P4P I think the Argeullo at 130 takes Pryor out. Yeah, Pryor would give him trouble but Arguello doesn't get hit as often, the shots aren't as hard, Arguello's handspeed is a little better, he throws more punches, he hits Pryor more, his shots carry more steam and he doesn't get as tired.

[ThinBlack]

He might have a slightly better chance, but Arguello would still lose to Pryor at 135.Remember that this was Aaron's natural weight, and unfortunately he didn't get that title shot he wanted.Alexis, if he fought him around 1980, would probably take him to the final bell, but he would still lose.

[PowerPuncher]

Pryor was really a lightweight himself and more fleshy at 140lbs so it makes little difference imo And I actually think the 140lb weight class suited the taller longer limber Arguello more than the stumpy Pryor

[Lester1583]

No.

[MAG1965]

yes i think Arguello beats Pryor at 135. those 5 pounds made a difference. Arguello was stronger at 135 and as it was Arguello hit Pryor clean, so at 135 I think he stops Aaron. Same as I think if somehow Hagler could have fought Hearns at 154 (which he probably could have had he put his mind to it since he did sometimes get down as low as 157) I think Tommy knocks out Marvin.

[leverage]

He was cheated out of a fourth title because pryor used illegal stimulants (coke), and he was not what he was at his previous weight classes. I see no reason why he wouldn't have knocked pryor out at 135.

[Liechhardt]

Arguello beats Pryor at 9.9.

[Steenalized]

Arguello made it 14 rounds, 14 rounds that were more or less even, above his prime weight and past his prime age. Spot him 5 lbs in his beneficial direction? Yeah I'd say he goes the distance and probably wins a close decision.