Aaron Pryor, the Cincinnati-born champion, came out of retirement to defend his International Boxing Federation title facing Nick Furlano, a Toronto-based challenger with whom he had a lot in common. Both boxers grew up tough, and lived on their own as teenagers. Both battled addiction during and after their careers. This fight, staged at University of Toronto’s Varsity Arena, saw Pryor, a feared power puncher, knock Furlano down in the first round. Furlano, surprisingly, survived that knockdown and lasted all 15 rounds, becoming the first fighter to go the distance with Pryor since 1977. Their meeting would be the last world title fight in Toronto for the next 34 years.
A photograph from the Windsor Star published on May 19, 2018 depicting boxing champion Adonis Stevenson as he speaks in anticipation of his match with Badou Jack. Photograph by Dave Abel and sourced from Newspapers.com.
A photograph of boxers Adonis Stevenson and Badou Jack preparing for their upcoming fight, as published in The Gazette on May 18, 2018. Image taken by Dave Abel and sourced from Newspapers.com.A photograph of Nicky Furlano on the mat after been knocked down by Aaron Pryor, after which Nicky Furlano would get up to rejoin the fight. The picture was published by The Toronto Star on June 23, 1984. Image taken by Jeff Goode and sourced from Newspapers.com.
