The Day “The Hawk” Crashed to Earth: A Retrospective on Aaron Pryor Vs Bobby Joe Young

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Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor was one of the most exciting fighters in boxing history. After narrowly missing out on the opportunity to represent the United States in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, “The Hawk” swept through the professional ranks like a tornado. 32 of his first 34 opponents fell by stoppage. Unable to secure a title opportunity at Lightweight, Pryor moved up to 140 and defeated the legendary Antonio Cervantes by 4th round stoppage in August 1980. “The Hawk” reached the pinnacle of his career with two historic stoppage victories over Alexis Arguello. By late 1983, Pryor was a legitimate star and considered to be among the very best pound for pound fighters in the world. However, “The Hawk’s” life and career became mired in drug abuse. By the time August 8, 1987 rolled around, Aaron Pryor had not fought in close to two and one-half years.

In contrast to Pryor, Bobby Joe Young never quite lived up to his early potential in the ring. Young had an outstanding amateur career in his own right and was a promising Welterweight prospect in the early 80’s. However, losses to Kevin Howard and Nino LaRocca put a damper on his career. By the time he stepped in to face “The Hawk”, Young had a record of 29-6-1, 22 KO’s and had been largely relegated to journeyman status. However, he did possess dangerous punching power which would prove telling in this particular night.

The surreal atmosphere was foreshadowed when, during the ring introductions, an enraged Pryor threw a punch at one of Young’s corner men. The Hawk looked strong over the first 2 minutes of the fight. However, suddenly, Bobby Joe landed a vicious right which sent Pryor to the canvas. The “Hawk” had been down in his career before but this was different; He was badly hurt and in serious trouble. Young continued to batter Pryor with hard power shots in the second. By the end of the round, “The Hawk” was bleeding from the nose and swollen under his left eye.

Over the next three rounds, Pryor seemed to turn back the clock effectively moving in and out, outhustling Young and keeping him off balance with quick combinations. By the end of the 5th, the fight was dead even and Bobby Joe was seriously swollen under his left eye. “Hawk” time appeared to be at hand once again. However, this turned out to be a mirage. Young used his jab effectively in round 6, which set up his hard, powerful right hand. Pryor was in full retreat once again. The fight was still in doubt though as Bobby Joe was now swollen under his right eye as well. Would the “Hawk” be able to take advantage of this?

The answer was a resounding no! Young landed a tremendous right in the 7th which sent Pryor tumbling to the canvas. Pryor jumped up quickly but it was obvious his legs were gone. He immediately dropped to one knee and was counted out. The fight was over! Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor had lost for the first and only time in his career. Pryor went on to win three fights after this, but the Bobby Joe Young loss effectively put an end to his status as a world class fighter. “The Hawk” retired with a record of 39-1, 35 KO’s and was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. This was a well deserving honor for a true all-time great, who, like so many others, engaged in his own, personal, one fight too many. Sadly, the greatest junior welterweight of all time died, at the age of 60, on October 9, 2016.  RIP….