Wilfred Benitez vs Aaron Pryor. Who wins?

Question

15 rounds and 140 lbs

Records at this weight

Benitez Won 32- Lost 0 Draws 1 KO's 23
Pryor Won 36 Lost 0 Draws 0 KO's 32

Answer 1

Wilfred Benitez was the man Pryor virtually succeeded on top of the 140 lbs. class in the late 70s although Aaron won his title from Antonio Cervantes who just regained the world title when Benitez moved up to the welterweights.

Benitez was very young when he won the junior welterweight crown at age 17 from Cervantes, in fact he remains to this day as the youngest to win a world boxing championship. Though he beat the legendary long reigning champ Cervantes, Benitez was not at his prime best at 140 lbs. His prime best was when he went up to 147 lbs. and beat among others Bruce Curry, Randy Shields, Harold Weston and Carlos Palomino for the welterweight crown.

In a fight therfore at 140 lbs. involving the two greats, I would give the advantage to the irrepressible volume and power punching Pryor who in his young prime was regarded as a threat to both Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard, two boxers who actually beat Benitez.

Pryor by late round KO

Answer 2

Great fight. Because he's considered a defensive genius, people often forget that Benitez really doesn't use much foot work. This is what would cost him in this fight. I think of how a Pryor-Leonard fight might have panned out. The difference is that Leonard had more fire power than Benitez had, especially before Benitez moved to 154.



I don't think Benitez would have done well against Pryor at 140. The fact that he actually developed power at 154 is proof that he was still developing at 140. He was just a boy when he won the title there. He's great and very difficult to hit but Pryor would have pressured him and taken him completely out of his game.



Think of Benitez' middleweight fight with Mustufa Hamsho. Sure, Hamsho is no Pryor and nowhere near Benitez' level in skill. However, that's how he beat Benitez. He applied great pressure and never let up. Also, at 140, Pryor was a grown man. While he compiled an impressive record at 140, and at such a young age, Benitez was still a boy.



Pryor by TKO in 12

Answer 3

I'd go with Pryor because he's stronger and more ruthless and overwhelming in his attacks, which will give him the points or probably a KO in the middle rounds. Benitez is a skilled defensive boxer but his offense leaves a lot to be desired. Also, Wilfred had a reputation as being lax in training and he'd pay for that against a focused fighter like Pryor.

Answer 4

Its going to be a great fight sure and one that will go down the annals of the"great defense vs great offense".

Benitez' most impressive win is no doubt against Duran whereas Pryor is best known for his wins against Arguello.



Who wins?

-Gotta go w/ the more impressive fight record in Wilfred Benitez. The Hawk has not faced a much defensive boxer in his career and Benitez does not only have a great defense, he's up there in the top 10 world's greatest defensive boxers of all time. Aaron will follow Wilfred like a lost puppy in the ring all night and we might see Duran vs Benitez part II. UD for Benitez in a very exciting fight

Answer 5

Aaron Pryor by unanimous decision. Wilfred Benitez was a great boxer but if you fight off his chest and don't give him room to breath or think then you can beat him. Aaron Pryor was relentless at his best. I see this fight resemble the Mustafa Hamsho vs Wilfred Benitez fight with Aaron Pryor crowding and beating up Wilfred Benitez.

Answer 6

Thomas Hearns beat Benitez with one hand, literally, Hearns injured his right in the Benitez fight and out boxed Wilfred with his left. Aaron Pryor beat Hearns as an amateur at 140, I think he would have beat Benitez as well, ...easily.

Answer 7

Pryor

Answer 8

i think benitez would have done enough to handle pryor's pressure and take ud.

Answer 9

Wilfred Benitez Boxing Record