Freddie Roach says relentless champion would have beaten Floyd Mayweather ‘all day’

Floyd Mayweather built his legend on the belief that no boxer, regardless of era, could solve him. But a trainer who shared the ring on the opposite side insists there was an American fighter from the 1980s who would have done just that.

Freddie Roach did everything in his power to guide Oscar De La Hoya to victory over Mayweather in their May 2007 superfight.

Mayweather ultimately prevailed despite the best efforts of the “Golden Boy” and his team, then continued to build on his legacy with victories over Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao before retire with a perfect 50-0 record.

Mayweather’s defensive genius has rarely been undermined, but in an interview with Social boxingRoach was asked how he thought Mayweather would have performed against 1980s star Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor. His response was categorical.

“Floyd was a very good boxer in his day but Aaron Pryor was better. I’m going to stay with Aaron Pryor all day.”

Pryor is best remembered for his two fierce encounters with Alexis Arguello, where his relentless pressure and superior firepower ultimately overwhelmed the revered Nicaraguan technician.

A superlight of all time, Pryor combining exquisite skill with unyielding aggression and the kind of power that could change a fight in an instant. A two-time Golden Gloves champion – the second achieved with a victory over Thomas Hearns – Pryor narrowly missed selection for the 1976 U.S. Olympic team.

Outside of the ring, Pryor battled his personal demons, including drug addiction, and later served time in prison. Born on October 20, 1955, he died just 11 days before his 61st birthday in 2016.

It’s this relentless pressure, physical intensity and refusal to give in that explains Roach’s conviction – the very traits that troubled Arguello, he believes, could also have provided the ultimate test for boxing’s most elusive defensive master.