What time is it? Aaron ‘The Hawk’ Pryor highlight (video)

In boxing’s current climate where we seem to have been blessed with a wealth of talented junior welterweights it’s only right we pay homage to one of the greatest junior welterweights of all time.

A talented amateur boxer (he beat legend Tommy Hearns in the National Golden Gloves finals in 1976) Pryor did not disappoint when he became a pro in 1976. Following his 8th victory against Johnny Summerhays in 1977 he would go on one of boxing’s longest knockout streaks stopping 26 of his opponents. In 1980 his talent was recognised when he was handed a title shot against WBA junior welterweight champion Antonio Cervantes and after being dropped in the first round ‘The Hawk’ would stop the game Colombian in the 4th round.

Pryor really rose to fame following his fights with Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello. The two squared off for the first time in 1982 in a bout promoted as ‘The Battle of The Champions’. Pryor would beat the 3 division champion by technical knockout in the 14th round in what was named as Ring Magazine’s ‘Fight of the year’ and ‘Fight of the decade’. Following controversy in the first fight the two would meet again in 1983 but Pryor would stop an over the hill Arguello in 10.

As with all boxers Pryor did not know when to call it quits and after retiring twice and coming back he was handed his lone defeat, a 7th round TKO by Bobby Joe Young. He would fight 3 more times against lower level opposition before finally calling time on his career due to an eye injury.

Inducted in to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 he would retire a two time world champion with a career record of 39(35) – 1(1).

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