Alexis Arguello

Alexis Arguello 1952-2009 In an era that produced such stellar fighters as; Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Wilfredo benitz, Wilfredo Gomez, Salvador Sanchez, Bobby Chacon, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Ruben Olivares , and in a sport where even the contenders held the mantel of greatness with aplomb and grace, Alexis Arguello stood as tall as any of them. In an era where great fighters fought each other for the right to be called the best, Alexis Arguello fought the best. Arguello fought his first fight forty one years ago, August 1, 1968 in Managua, Nicaragua against someone named Cachorro Amaya, getting stopped in the first round of a scheduled four round fight. He fought his last fight on January 21, 1995 in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing a ten round decision to Scott Walker. In between those years Arguello won titles in three weight classes; Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Lightweight. He lifted the WBA Featherweight crown from Mexican great "Rocka... Read more

Though he lost his two epic fights against the equally great Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor, Alexis Arguello place in boxing history has always been secure, and his lofty position as the greatest junior lightweight fighter ever by most boxing writers only demonstrates what kind of talent he was. In his remarkable 90-fight career, "The Explosive Thin Man" racked up an 82-8-0 record with 65 knockouts. A complete fighter with dynamite in both hands, Arguello waged wars with the best of his era, knocking out fellow greats Ruben Olivares and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, and besting Bazooka Limon. Ironically, however, it was his epic fights with Pryor which furthered his legend with the boxing public and those who were casual fight followers. Undoubtedly, had a fight with the late great Salvador Sanchez occurred, it would have been as epic as Arguello's battles with Pryor. How would have the fight turned out? Who knows? Boxing fans were instantly deprived of this classic contest. But it never diminish... Read more

he lost twice to pryor.

Alexis Arguello was Great! I could not wait to see him box cause that is what he did. He Boxed with skills never seen before him and hard to find in any boxer since. He could put a man down with any hand, from any angle and anywhere he decided to hit on the other boxer's body. He was not a head hunter, case and point watch his fight with Mancini. Alexis was a Great Boxer in any day...

Alexis was one of the best fighter to walked the planet, that inspired many generations and still is a boxing model to follow and admire for his contribution to sports specially boxing.

My boyhood idol, Alexis Arguello is one of the best overall fighters I have ever seen. I only wished that Pryor hadn't had any substances in the water I can assure you Alexis would have knocked him out. I have known Alexis personally and I remember when I was five years old and he picked me up and lifted me in the air at my grandpartents house in Esteli Nicaragua. Whenever he would fight, the entire country would stop. One time I remember watching a fight at five in the morning because he was fighting Kobayashi in Japan and they were broadcasting it live.

Arguello was one of the best fighter ever. Great K.O. punch and skills. It's a shame that Pryor's Manager, Panama Lewis, got away by giving Pryor the "Mixed bottle of water". Just watch the fight, and you can see and hear the whole controversy. Arguello was simply a Gentleman inside the ring and at the same time "The Thin Explosive Man" we all knew.

In spite of the losses to Aaron Pryor..who was just too big and strong for Alexis...this man was all class. Case in point is his fight against then up and coming Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. After knocking the popular Mancini out late in the fight he met Ray in the middle of the ring and told him that he loved Ray's dad, Lenny "Boom Boom" Mancini. Alexis' story is classic in boxing where he just moved up one weight class too many in challenging "The Hawk". The fight has gained infamy over Pryor's Manager Panama Lewis asking for a different water bottle, asking for "the one I mixed"...fueling speculation at the time of Pryor's alleged drug use...as I recall he did fight like a man possessed. If a fighters greatness is predicated on the ferocity of his opponents then Arguello truly is a great one.

great fighter,classy person.

i feel sorry for anyone who is caught on the recieving end of arguello's right cross (the hardest punch in the featherweight division, along with sandy saddler). enormous heart, flawless technique, and frightening power is wut made alexis arguello a legend. but he was rather slow and just couldnt get the job done against aaron pryor (but then again, who could get the best of aaron pryor?). alexis arguello is one of the best featherweights in history.

Skilled Gentleman, tried his best against to win his 4th title against Pryor, but pryor was just 2 much

Arguello was very good-but overrated as fights with Boom Boom Mancini-which he won-and Aaron Pryor-which he lost-prove.

Sharpest strait right Ive ever seen. Perfect punch setup, sold every feint and then punished. Moved opponents around the ring with his ring savvy. Not the fleetest of foot but made up for it with constant steady pressure. An all time great.

Typical Sth American tough and durable fights with Pryor were fantastic. Top 20

Great hard-nozed skilled fighter. I loved watching him fight.

A classic boxer with knockout power in either hand. Extremely accurate puncher and wonderful tacticion in the ring.

Arguello was best as a Jr. Lightweight. In an era of great fighters, he ko'd Limon, Chacon, and Boza-Edwards in 1.5 years. STarting as a bantamweight, Jr. welter was 4 weight classes up from where he started. Too big a jump.No wonder he could not bring his punch with him vs. Pryor. The fight was basic: he could not hurt Pryor, and Pyor hurt Arguello. And Pryor was an all time great at Jr. Welter.

Tough bastard huh?

didn't duck nobody...ain't like duran NO WHAT ..wuss...read the history why should i repeat what others have wrote

Arguello began as a tough bantamweight in the late 60's/early 70's but quickly moved up to feathwerweight and challenged the great Ernesto Marcel, losing a close 15 round decision in the champs backyard. In 1974, he defeated my boyhood boxing idol, Ruben Olivares, to capture the first of three world championships. I truly believe he was at his best in the Junior Lightweight division where he beat some pretty tough foes, namely, Alfredo Escalera, Bazooka Limon, Chacon, Navarette, Boza-Edwards. As lightweight king, he KO'd hard-hitting Andrew Ganigan and Ray Mancini, proving his punching power had not diminished as he moved up in weight. His first bout against Aaron Pryor was the most dramatical boxing match I ever saw...and yes, it was disheartening to see Arguello against the ropes from the barrage of punches unleashed by Pryor. To his credit, Arguello could have--but chose not to--take the sure route of claiming his fourth belt (in as many divisions) against the other bums, er cha... Read more

a classic and truly great fighter; if you had to build your own fighter in the garage of desire, you'd start with Joe Frazier's heart and left hook but you'd want to toss in a wholelotta this man's skill. Ring generalship would have become known as Arguelloian the opponent if it wasn't so damned hard to say .... his fights with Pryor are indeed all-timers, but he didn't duck .....

His fights with Aaron Pryor are forever etched in my mind. He didn't have the necessary intangibles to push through to greatness, but he was very, very good.

He was a champion for a long time, as his skills/speed diminished, his power seemed to increase, this allowed him to continue to win, but he was being hit more often and harder than during his prime. No Mas! was not his code...

This guy was tough. He could dish out and take one hell of a beating. Terrycloth boxer shorts were his signature. That is all I can say about Alexies.