Floyd Mayweather Jr. has called out Sugar Ray Leonard for avoiding a fight with Aaron 'The Hawk' Pryor. The retired five-weight world champion made the accusation during a recent appearance on Club Shay Shay.
Mayweather didn't hold back when discussing the legendary boxer's career. He said:
"Aaron Pryor, that's who, Sugar Ray Leonard knows, that's who Sugar Ray Leonard was ducking … You better do your homework, see that's what you don't know, the behind the scenes stuff, and you know I love Sugar Ray Leonard."
Leonard, who boxed from 1977 to 1997 with several retirements and comebacks, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters ever. He's best known for his famous 'No Mas' victory over Roberto Duran in 1980, as well as wins against Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler.
Pryor rose to fame in the early 1980s and became a two-time super lightweight world champion. He made his mark by stopping Alexis Arguello twice in just 10 months between 1982 and 1983.
While a fight between Leonard and Pryor was often discussed, it never happened. Promoter Bob Arum has said there were talks, but the bout didn't materialize. Factors like weight differences, timelines, and the prime of their careers might have played a role.
Leonard would likely deny claims of ducking Pryor. He continued to take on tough opponents throughout his career, including a successful defense of his WBC super-middleweight title against Roberto Duran in December 1989.
Mayweather's comments have stirred up debate about a fight that never was between two of boxing's most skilled competitors. While we'll never know how a Leonard-Pryor matchup would have played out, it remains an interesting "what if" in boxing history.
