Born in Cincinnati on October 20, 1955, Pryor began boxing at the age of 13.  He was a terror in the amateur ranks (204-16) culminating as an alternate on the 1976 Olympic team.  He turned pro in 1976 after the Olympics and quickly tore through the lightweight and junior welterweight ranks, mowing down such seasoned contenders as Johnny Summerhays, Johnny Copeland, Norman Goins, and Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazier.  His complete domination of his competition earned him a shot at legendary Colombian champion Antonio Cervantes in August of 1980.  That night in Cincinnati at Riverfront Coliseum, Pryor dismantled Cervantes in four rounds, and a star was born.  

Pryor easily moved through the Jr. Welterweight Ranks and in 1982, Pryor and Alexis Arguello would face off in what was later named the Fight of the Decade by Ring Magazine.  Pryor and Arguello engaged in toe to toe warfare for 14 rounds before the great Arguello finally succumbed to the equally great Pryor.  The rematch was much easier for Pryor, and he took out Alexis in ten rounds.   To the chants of "Hawk Time, Hawk Time", Pryor brought one thrilling moment after another to the crowds who thronged to see his fights during the 1980's. 

The Hawk defended his title eleven times and retired in 1991 with a 39-1 (35 KO's) record.  As the WBA Jr. Welterweight Champ from 1980-1983 and the IBF Jr. Welterweight Champ from 1983-1985, Pryor firmly established his place in boxing history.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.  In December 1999 the Associated Press voted Aaron Pryor as the "Greatest Jr. Welterweight of the Century."  

 

Pryor went through some hard times due to drug addiction, but with the determination that made him a great fighter; "The Hawk" kicked his habit and is once again flying high.  Pryor lives in his hometown of Cincinnati with his wife, Frankie, and their four children -- Aaron, Jr., Antwan, Stephan, and Elizabeth.  Pryor became an Associate Minister at New Friendship Baptist Church on Jund 5, 2005 and travels the world making personal appearances and spreading his anti-drug message.  Pryor remains active in the sport of boxing training both professional and Golden Glove amateur boxers.  The Pryor boxing legacy continues today with Aaron, Jr. and Stephan following in their dad's footsteps.