Alexis Argüello died around 1:00 AM local time on July 1, 2009, after he allegedly shot himself through the heart
according to a report from Channel 8. Reports now say there could be some foul play involved. National Television. The National
Police have confirmed the death, but are still waiting the results of the autopsy. Alexis Arguello R.I.P.
The
greatest Junior Lightweight boxing champion of all time is Alexis Arguello. Alexis Arguello fought in 4 different weight divisions
and met 14 world champions in his career defeating ALL of them except TWO and knocking out 10 of them. He was 19-3 in title
bouts only losing to Ernesto Marcel at Featherweight and Aaron Pryor at Junior Welterweight. Alexis Arguello won 19 consecutive
world championship/title fights, one of the longest streaks of consecutive title fights without a loss.
Alexis
Arguello was a class act in and out of the ring. In the ring he was the FIRST man ever to win three world titles in 3 different
weight divisions and not lose any of them. He always relinquished them to move up a class. Alexis Arguello was recognized
as the best fighter in his weight class when he held the title in each of those divisions. Of the few men to win 3 world titles
and never lose them, Alexis Arguello had the most title defenses(16). Out of the ring he was unique in always having nothing
but praise for his oponents. Tall, with destructive punching power he began pro boxing in his homeland at the tender age of
16. Over a 27 year pro career he fought an amazing 22 world championship bouts and won 19 of them, 17 by knockout.
"During his era he ranked right
up there with Bob Foster for pound for pound one punch kayo power." - Jim Amato on Alexis Arguello, Jan 24, 2007
"Foster possessed one of the
most powerful punches ever seen on a light heavyweight, his left hook. The left hook of Foster left more than a few top fighters
on the canvas for a count of well past 10. In more than a few fights, some thought the opponents were actually dead while
they were being counted out" - Frank Lotierzo on Bob Foster
Any comments about Alexis Arguello or this website? Email Me, let's talk about it....
21-4-1, (7 KO’s), Kevin Rooney was trained and managed by the late-legend Cus D’Amato
in Catskills, NY.
Rooney was 15 and zip when he was stopped in seven on cuts by the then 6-0 and future WBA 154
lb. king Davey Moore in 1981. He would roll off a few wins before fighting Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello.
Alexis Arguello Jul-31-1982, Atlantic City vs. Kevin ROONEY trainer
of Mike Tyson at 140 lbs.Alexis Arguello showed his
awesome punching power and defensive skills (blocking and slipping punches)at 140 Ibs. Here's a poll conducted by various
boxing writers and experts (15 in all) on who they thought were the best p4p fighters in boxing, which took place in July/August
of '82 and was printed in KO magazine;
1. Sugar Ray Leonard 2. ALEXIS ARGUELLO 3. Marvin Hagler 4. Salvador Sanchez 5. Wilfred Benitez 6. Larry Holmes 7. Jeff Chandler 8. Eusebio Pedroza 9. Aaron Pryor 10. Thomas Hearns (tie) 10. Dwight Braxton
Since Leonard retired just before Pryor/Arguello, it's safe to assume
that those same writers would've considered Alex as the best in the sport at that exact time.
Alexis Arguello from Managua, Nicaragua was a classic
boxer with knockout power in either hand. Extremely accurate puncher and wonderful tacticion in the ring.
In his
prime Arguello was considered nigh invincible. One 1978 boxing magazine published, “Alexis Arguello is regarded by some
people as the perfect fighter. He is thought to be--pound for pound, inch-for-inch and punch for punch--the best puglist in
the world...a fighter without a flaw.”
Peter King penned
in 1981, “Watching Arguello fight is like enjoying the subtleties of a great Renaissance masterpiece. There is rich
color and detail in his performance. His jabs are straight, strong and accurate. His body punches are delivered with care.
His right crosses and left hooks are issued with an awesome potency. Yet this great fighter-perhaps one of the greatest ever-is
largely unknown.”
Boxing writer and analyst Frank Lotierzo wrote, “Arguello mostly fought a somewhat pressure style.
He didn't pressure his opponents like a Frazier or Duran; it was more a subtle type pressure like Joe Louis. Another thing
Arguello shared with Louis was that they were vulnerable versus fighters who had fast feet. That's not saying they couldn't
fight fighters that had good movement. It is verifying that fighters who moved against them usually fared the best. The fighters
who brought the fight to Arguello are the ones who he defeated in the most devastating fashion.”
Alexis Arguello
became the sixth man in boxing history to win a world title in three different weight divisions. In 1982 his goal was to become
boxing's first four-division champion. 5 years later in 1987 Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns was the first to win 4
titles in 4 different weight divisions.
"One of the best pure punchers of my generation was Alexis
Arguello" - Jim Amato, June 24, 2006. Jim Amato is a member of the Boxing Writers Association Of America (BWAA) and is
also a member of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) .
"Alexis Arguello, the greatest junior
lightweight of all time" - Dec. 16, 2005, Jim Amato
Alexis Arguello knocked out Mexican idol, Ruben Olivares,
to capture the Featherweight crown. In the Junior Lightweight division Arguello beat some pretty tough foes, namely, Alfredo
Escalera, Bazooka Limon, Bobby Chacon, Rolando Navarette, Cornelius 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. He also defeated Jose
Luis Ramirez. His first bout against Aaron Pryor was one of the the most dramatical boxing matches ever.
Cornelius Boza-Edwards was an excellent Junior-Lightweight with a 27-1 (22 KOs)record before he fought
Alexis Arguello. 3 fights later Boza-Edwards would win the WBC Super-featherweight title (vacated by Arguello) defeating Rafael
"Bazooka" Limon and successfully defended by TKO against Bobby Chacon in 13.
Alexis
Arguello on the right in suit and tie. Enormous heart, flawless technique, frightening power, along with Omar Sharif - matinee
idol good looks is what made Alexis Arguello a legend. A movie or documentary on Arguello's life would be great. Alexis Arguello
did some acting. Alexis Arguello never earned a Oscar but did appear in a episode of Miami Vice.
"Alexis
Arguello also had a great chin. Arguello was never really hurt until he fought Aaron Pryor at junior welterweight. He also
had outstanding stamina and could fight at any pace." - Frank Lotierzo @ TheSweetScience.com
This website is a fan's tribute to Alexis Arguello. RIP to one of the best ever, Alexis
Arguello.
