Alexis Argüello

Alexis Argüello (April 19, 1952 – July 1, 2009) was a Nicaraguan professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995, and later became a politician. He was a three-weight world champion, having held the WBA featherweight title from 1974 to 1976; the WBC super featherweight title from 1978 to 1980; and the WBC lightweight title from 1981 to 1982. Additionally, he held the Ring magazine and lineal featherweight titles from 1975 to 1977; the Ring lightweight title from 1981 to 1982; and the lineal lightweight title in 1982. In his later career he challenged twice for light welterweight world titles, both times in famous fights against Aaron Pryor.

Alexis Argüello
Born(1952-04-19)April 19, 1952
Barrio Monseñor Lezcano, Managua, Nicaragua
DiedJuly 1, 2009(2009-07-01) (aged 57)
Managua, Nicaragua
Other names
  • El Flaco Explosivo
    ("The Explosive Thin Man")
  • El Caballero del Ring
    ("The Gentleman of the Ring")
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights85
Wins77
Wins by KO62
Losses8
Parade of Champions at International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, 2008

Argüello has regularly been cited as one of the greatest boxers of his era, having never lost any of his world titles in the ring, instead relinquishing them each time in pursuit of titles in higher weight classes. After his retirement from boxing, he became active in Nicaraguan politics and in November 2008 was elected mayor of his native Managua, the nation's capital city.

The Ring magazine has ranked Argüello as 20th on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time", while the Associated Press ranked him as the world's best Junior Lightweight of the 20th century.[1] He was named one of the 20 greatest fighters of the past 80 years by The Ring magazine and is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers to ever come out of Latin America and one of the few to have fought in four different decades.[2]

Early life and amateur career

Argüello was born April 19, 1952. His father was a shoemaker.His mother's name was Zoila.[3] Argüello had a troubled childhood, growing up in abject poverty in Managua. When he was 5 years old, his father attempted suicide. At the age of 9, Argüello ran away to work in a dairy farm.[4] When he was 13, he emigrated to Canada to provide for his family.[5] Argüello was constantly involved in street brawls through his teenage years, but it wasn't until his sister Marina, one of Alexis' 7 siblings, married a boxer that young Alexis took an interest in the sport.[6] Argüello's brief amateur career saw him compile a 58–2 record.

At one time, his brother Eduardo José was considered a national hero in Nicaragua and had a street named after him.[3]

Boxing career

Featherweight

Argüello debuted on October 26, 1968, trained by former boxer Miguel Angel Rivas. After winning his first 3 fights "The Explosive Thin Man" suffered an unavenged fourth-round KO loss, followed by another split decision loss. Argüello would then win 29 of his next 30 bouts over the next 5 years, including a win over José Legrá. Eventually, Argüello earned a world featherweight championship bout against experienced WBA champion Ernesto Marcel. The fight took place in Panama, Marcel's home country. The young challenger lost a 15-round unanimous decision in the champion's retirement bout. Months after Marcel's retirement, the WBA featherweight title was won by former unified bantamweight champion Rubén Olivares.

Undaunted, Argüello put together another streak of wins, and found himself contending for the WBA featherweight, this time against Olivares in the latter's first defense. The fight took place at The Forum in Inglewood on November 23, 1974. After Olivares had built a small lead on the judges' scorecards, Argüello and Olivares landed simultaneous left hooks in round thirteen. Olivares's left hand caused a visible expression of pain on Argüello's face, but Argüello's left hand caused Olivares to crash hard against the canvas. A few seconds later, Argüello was the new featherweight champion of the world.

Argüello's first defense came against Venezuelan featherweight champion Leonel Hernández. Once again, Argüello fought in enemy territory, as the fight took place in Caracas. Nevertheless, Argüello made short work of his challenger, stopping him by technical knockout in the 8th round. His first defense in Nicaragua was against Rigoberto Riasco. Argüello dominated once again, this time stopping Riasco in the second round. Next up for Argüello would be Royal Kobayashi, a highly touted Japanese challenger who was undefeated until then. After a tense, close start Argüello's relentless body-punching broke Kobayashi halfway through the fifth round, with the challenger dropping to the canvas twice.

Junior lightweight

After a successful fourth defense, Argüello moved up in weight to challenge world junior lightweight champion Alfredo Escalera in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, in what has been nicknamed The Bloody Battle of Bayamon by many. Escalera had been a busy champion with ten defenses, and he had dethroned Kuniaki Shibata in 2 rounds in Tokyo. In what some experts (including The Ring writers) consider one of the most brutal fights in history, Escalera had his eye, mouth and nose broken early, but was rallying back in the scorecards when Argüello finished him, once again in the thirteenth round.

His reign at Junior Lightweight saw him fend off the challenges of Escalera in a rematch held at Rimini, Italy, as well as former and future world champion Bobby Chacon, future two time world champion Rafael "Bazooka" Limón, Ruben Castillo, future champion Rolando Navarrete, and Diego Alcalá, beaten in only one round.

Argüello suffered many cuts around his face during his second victory against Escalera. The on-site doctor wanted him hospitalized, but Argüello had a flight to catch from Rome the next day to return to Nicaragua, and he boarded a train from Rimini. The doctor decided to travel with Argüello, and performed plastic surgery on Argüello's cuts with Argüello awake.

Lightweight

After eight successful title defenses, Argüello then moved up in weight again, and this time he had to go to London, England, to challenge world lightweight champion Jim Watt. Watt lasted fifteen rounds, but the judges gave Argüello a unanimous 15-round decision, thus making him only the sixth boxer to win world titles in three divisions, and the second Latin American (after Wilfred Benítez had become the first by beating Maurice Hope one month before) to do it. He had to face some lesser-known challengers in this division, one exception being the famous prospect Ray Mancini (known as "Boom Boom"). Mancini and Argüello engaged in a fight that was later showcased in a boxing video of the best fights of the 1980s, with Argüello prevailing by stoppage when he decked Mancini in round 14. After the fight, Argüello gained many American fans when he embraced Mancini and told a CBS television audience that he would do anything to help Mancini's father, who at the time was dealing with illness. Andrew Ganigan proved to be one of Argüello's toughest challenges as he dropped Argüello in the second round, but ultimately the defending champion prevailed by stopping Ganigan in the fifth.

Junior welterweight

Battles with Aaron Pryor

Argüello successfully defended his lightweight title four times. After defeating James 'Bubba' Busceme by sixth round stoppage, Argüello decided to move up in weight class again, and on November 12, 1982, he tried to become the first world champion in four different categories, meeting the heavier and future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Pryor, in what was billed as "The Battle of the Champions" in Miami, Florida. Argüello was stopped in the 14th round. The fight sparked controversy because Pryor's trainer, Panama Lewis, introduced a second water bottle which he described as "the bottle I mixed" after round 13, leading to speculation that the bottle was tainted. The Florida State Boxing Commission failed to administer a post-fight urinalysis, adding to speculation that the bottle contained an unsanctioned substance.[7][8] Lewis claimed at various times that the bottle was filled with peppermint schnapps or Perrier to help Pryor deal with an upset stomach. It was later revealed in an interview with former Lewis-trained boxer Luis Resto that Lewis would break apart antihistamine pills used to treat asthma and pour the medicine into the water, giving Lewis's fighter greater lung capacity in the later rounds of a fight.[9][10][11] Others say that there was a mixture of cocaine, honey and orange juice in the bottle.[12]

A rematch was ordered. This time, in Las Vegas, Argüello was KO-ed in the tenth, and stated after the fight "I'm not going to fight anymore. I quit." But he later returned to the ring for financial reasons.

Comeback and post-retirement

During the 1980s Argüello briefly fought with the Contras in his native Nicaragua, but after a few months in the jungle he retired from the war.[13] He then attempted several comebacks into boxing during the late 1980s and early 1990s and had some success, most notably a fourth round stoppage of former World Junior Welterweight Champion Billy Costello in a 1986 televised bout that put him in a position for another shot at the Junior Welterweight title. He retired for good in 1995 with a record of 82 wins, 8 losses, and 65 KO's, along with the recognition of being one of the sport's most universally respected fighters among fans, experts, and boxers.

Argüello was elected to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1992. In 2008 he was honored by being selected as Nicaragua's flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.[14]

Political career

Argüello was actively involved in Nicaraguan politics with the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)--the same party against whom he took up arms in the 1980s—and in 2004 was elected vice-mayor of Managua. Amid accusations of vote-rigging Argüello narrowly won the mayoral election in Managua on November 9, 2008[15] against the candidate of the Constitutionalist Liberal Party, Eduardo Montealegre, who had come second to Daniel Ortega in the 2006 presidential election. Argüello's margin of victory was narrow as he attained just 51.30% of the vote.[16]

Death

Memorial to Alexis Argüello in Managua

Argüello died on July 1, 2009, after being accused of shooting himself with two bullets through the heart in Managua. The national police, under sandinistas control, confirmed the death shortly afterwards, and the death was declared as suicide following the public autopsy.[17][18]

Those close to Argüello, including his daugther, -Dora Arguello- and his other sons, affirmed that he was killed by Ortega's regime because of becoming progressively disenchanted with the Orteguistas and the Sandinista government, and was planning an imminent departure from the Sandinista political party.[19]

Professional boxing record

85 fights77 wins8 losses
By knockout624
By decision154
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
85Loss77–8Scott WalkerUD10Jan 21, 1995Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
84Win77–7Jorge PalomaresMD10Aug 27, 1994Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
83Win76–7Billy CostelloTKO4 (10), 1:42Feb 9, 1986Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
82Win75–7Pat JeffersonTKO5 (10), 2:47Oct 25, 1985Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
81Loss74–7Aaron PryorKO10 (15), 1:48Sep 9, 1983Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
80Win74–6Claude NoelTKO3 (10), 0:37Apr 24, 1983Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
79Win73–6Vilomar FernandezUD10Feb 26, 1983Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
78Loss72–6Aaron PryorTKO14 (15), 1:06Nov 12, 1982Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S.For WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
77Win72–5Kevin RooneyKO2 (10), 3:07Jul 31, 1982Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
76Win71–5Andrew GaniganKO5 (15), 3:09May 22, 1982The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
75Win70–5James BuscemeTKO6 (15), 2:35Feb 13, 1982Civic Center Beaumont, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
74Win69–5Roberto ElizondoKO7 (15), 3:07Nov 21, 1981Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
73Win68–5Ray ManciniTKO14 (15), 1:44Oct 3, 1981Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
72Win67–5Jim WattUD15Jun 20, 1981Empire Pool, London, EnglandWon WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
71Win66–5Robert VasquezTKO3 (10), 2:55Feb 7, 1981Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
70Win65–5José Luis RamírezSD10Nov 14, 1980Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
69Win64–5Cornelius Boza-EdwardsTKO8 (10)Aug 9, 1980Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
68Win63–5Rolando NavarreteRTD4 (15), 3:00Apr 27, 1980Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBC super featherweight title
67Win62–5Gerald HayesUD10Mar 31, 1980Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
66Win61–5Ruben CastilloTKO11 (15), 2:03Jan 20, 1980Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
65Win60–5Bobby ChaconRTD7 (15), 3:00Nov 16, 1979The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
64Win59–5Rafael LimónTKO11 (15), 1:40Jul 8, 1979Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
63Win58–5Alfredo EscaleraTKO13 (15), 1:24Feb 4, 1979Sports Palace, Rimini, ItalyRetained WBC super featherweight title
62Win57–5Arturo LeonUD15Nov 10, 1978Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
61Loss56–5Vilomar FernandezMD10Jul 26, 1978Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
60Win56–4Diego AlcalaKO1 (15), 1:56Jun 3, 1978Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBC super featherweight title
59Win55–4Rey TamTKO5 (15), 1:54Apr 29, 1978The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
58Win54–4Mario MendezTKO3 (10), 2:00Mar 25, 1978Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57Win53–4Alfredo EscaleraTKO13 (15), 2:36Jan 28, 1978Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto RicoWon WBC super featherweight title
56Win52–4Enrique SolisKO5 (10)Dec 18, 1977Estadio Anastasio Somoza García, Managua, Nicaragua
55Win51–4Jerome ArtisTKO2 (10)Sep 29, 1977Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54Win50–4Benjamin OrtizUD10Aug 27, 1977Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
53Win49–4Jose FernandezTKO1 (10), 2:06Aug 3, 1977Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52Win48–4Ezequiel SanchezTKO4 (10)Jun 22, 1977Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51Win47–4Alberto HerreraKO1 (10)May 14, 1977Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
50Win46–4Godfrey StevensKO2 (10)Feb 19, 1977Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
49Win45–4Salvador TorresKO3 (15), 1:25Jun 19, 1976The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
48Win44–4Modesto ConcepcionKO2 (10)Apr 10, 1976Universidad, Managua, Nicaragua
47Win43–4Jose TorresSD10Feb 1, 1976Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico
46Win42–4Saul MontanaKO3 (10)Dec 20, 1975Polideportivo España, Managua, Nicaragua
45Win41–4Royal KobayashiKO5 (15), 2:47Oct 12, 1975Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
44Win40–4Rosalio MuroTKO2 (10), 2:54Jul 18, 1975Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
43Win39–4Rigoberto RiascoTKO2 (15), 2:00May 31, 1975Estadio Ron Flor de Cana, Granada, NicaraguaRetained WBA featherweight title;
Won vacant The Ring featherweight title
42Win38–4Leonel HernandezTKO8 (15), 2:52Mar 15, 1975Poliedro, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBA featherweight title
41Win37–4Oscar AparicioUD10Feb 8, 1975Nuevo Poliedro, San Salvador, El Salvador
40Win36–4Rubén OlivaresKO13 (15), 1:20Nov 23, 1974The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won WBA featherweight title
39Win35–4Otoniel MartinezKO1 (10)Sep 21, 1974Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
38Win34–4Oscar AparicioPTS12Aug 24, 1974Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
37Win33–4Art HafeyKO5 (10)May 18, 1974Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
36Win32–4Enrique GarciaKO3 (10)Apr 27, 1974Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
35Loss31–4Ernesto MarcelUD15Feb 16, 1974Gimnasio Nuevo, Panama City, PanamaFor WBA featherweight title
34Win31–3Raul Martinez MoraKO1Jan 12, 1974Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
33Win30–3José LegráTKO1 (10)Nov 24, 1973Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
32Win29–3Sigfrido RodriguezTKO9 (10)Oct 27, 1973Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
31Win28–3Nacho LomeliKO1 (10), 2:33Aug 25, 1973Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
30Win27–3Octavio GomezKO2 (10)Jun 30, 1973Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
29Win26–3Kid PascualitoTKO3 (10)May 26, 1973Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
28Win25–3Magallo LozadaUD10Mar 31, 1973Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
27Win24–3Fernando FernandezTKO2Feb 24, 1973Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
26Win23–3Rafael GonzalezTKO3Dec 16, 1972Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
25Win22–3Memo OrtizKO2 (10)Nov 19, 1972Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
24Win21–3Memo BarreraTKO2Oct 21, 1972Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
23Win20–3Jorge BenitezKO1Sep 9, 1972Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
22Loss19–3Jorge ReyesTKO6 (10)Jan 15, 1972Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
21Win19–2Vicente Worrel Jr.KO2 (10)Dec 18, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
20Win18–2Reynaldo MendozaTKO4Oct 10, 1971Managua, Nicaragua
19Win17–2Emilio BuitragoUD10Oct 2, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, NicaraguaWon vacant Nicaraguan bantamweight title
18Win16–2Catalino AlvaradoKO1Aug 14, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
17Win15–2Emilio BuitragoTKO5 (10)Jul 17, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
16Win14–2Marcial LoyolaTKO2Jun 26, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
15Win13–2Kid ChapulaKO1Jun 5, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
14Win12–2Mauricio BuitragoKO7 (10)May 1, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
13Win11–2Julio HernandezUD10Apr 17, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
12Win10–2Julio HernandezUD10Mar 13, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
11Win9–2Antonio QuirozKO6 (8), 2:06Feb 13, 1971Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
10Win8–2Armando FigueroaTKO1Dec 19, 1970Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
9Win7–2Julio MoralesKO3Dec 5, 1970Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
8Win6–2Jose UrbinaKO1Nov 14, 1970Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
7Win5–2Mario BojorqueKO1 (6)Sep 24, 1970Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
6Win4–2Marcelino BecklesTKO8 (8)Sep 24, 1970Gimnasio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica
5Loss3–2Oscar EspinosaSD6Apr 26, 1969Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
4Loss3–1Omar AmayaKO4Mar 1, 1969León, Nicaragua
3Win3–0Burrito MartinezTKO3Feb 15, 1969Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
2Win2–0Oscar EspinosaSD4Dec 14, 1968Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
1Win1–0Israel MedinaKO1 (4)Oct 26, 1968Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua

See also

References

External links

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Leonel Urbina
Nicaraguan bantamweight champion
October 2, 1971 – 1974
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Moises Castro
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA featherweight champion
November 23, 1974 – October 9, 1976
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Rafael Ortega
Vacant
Title last held by
Clemente Sánchez
The Ring featherweight champion
May 31, 1975 – June 20, 1977
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Danny Lopez
Preceded by WBC super featherweight champion
January 28, 1978 – November 1, 1980
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Rafael Limón
Preceded by WBC lightweight champion
June 20, 1981 – February 15, 1983
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Edwin Rosario
The Ring lightweight champion
June 20, 1981 – February 1983
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Julio César Chávez