Alexis Argüello

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

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.

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. 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.

Early life and amateur career

Argüello was born April 19, 1952. His father was a shoemaker.His mother's name was Zoila. 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. When he was 13, he emigrated to Canada to provide for his family. 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. 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.

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. 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. Others say that there was a mixture of cocaine, honey and orange juice in the bottle.

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. 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.

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 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.

Death

Memorial to Alexis Argüello in Managua

Argüello died on July 1, 2009, after apparently shooting himself through the heart in Managua. The national police confirmed the death shortly afterwards, and the death was ruled a suicide following the autopsy.

Those close to Argüello affirmed that he was becoming progressively disenchanted with the Orteguistas and the Sandinista government, and was planning an imminent departure from the Sandinista political party.

Professional boxing record

85 fights 77 wins 8 losses
By knockout 62 4
By decision 15 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
85 Loss 77–8 Scott Walker UD 10 Jan 21, 1995 Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
84 Win 77–7 Jorge Palomares MD 10 Aug 27, 1994 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
83 Win 76–7 Billy Costello TKO 4 (10), 1:42 Feb 9, 1986 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
82 Win 75–7 Pat Jefferson TKO 5 (10), 2:47 Oct 25, 1985 Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
81 Loss 74–7 Aaron Pryor KO 10 (15), 1:48 Sep 9, 1983 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
80 Win 74–6 Claude Noel TKO 3 (10), 0:37 Apr 24, 1983 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
79 Win 73–6 Vilomar Fernandez UD 10 Feb 26, 1983 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
78 Loss 72–6 Aaron Pryor TKO 14 (15), 1:06 Nov 12, 1982 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S. For WBA and The Ring light welterweight titles
77 Win 72–5 Kevin Rooney KO 2 (10), 3:07 Jul 31, 1982 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
76 Win 71–5 Andrew Ganigan KO 5 (15), 3:09 May 22, 1982 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
75 Win 70–5 James Busceme TKO 6 (15), 2:35 Feb 13, 1982 Civic Center Beaumont, Texas, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
74 Win 69–5 Roberto Elizondo KO 7 (15), 3:07 Nov 21, 1981 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
73 Win 68–5 Ray Mancini TKO 14 (15), 1:44 Oct 3, 1981 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
72 Win 67–5 Jim Watt UD 15 Jun 20, 1981 Empire Pool, London, England Won WBC and The Ring lightweight titles
71 Win 66–5 Robert Vasquez TKO 3 (10), 2:55 Feb 7, 1981 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
70 Win 65–5 José Luis Ramírez SD 10 Nov 14, 1980 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
69 Win 64–5 Cornelius Boza-Edwards TKO 8 (10) Aug 9, 1980 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
68 Win 63–5 Rolando Navarrete RTD 4 (15), 3:00 Apr 27, 1980 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
67 Win 62–5 Gerald Hayes UD 10 Mar 31, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
66 Win 61–5 Ruben Castillo TKO 11 (15), 2:03 Jan 20, 1980 Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
65 Win 60–5 Bobby Chacon RTD 7 (15), 3:00 Nov 16, 1979 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
64 Win 59–5 Rafael Limón TKO 11 (15), 1:40 Jul 8, 1979 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
63 Win 58–5 Alfredo Escalera TKO 13 (15), 1:24 Feb 4, 1979 Sports Palace, Rimini, Italy Retained WBC super featherweight title
62 Win 57–5 Arturo Leon UD 15 Nov 10, 1978 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
61 Loss 56–5 Vilomar Fernandez MD 10 Jul 26, 1978 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
60 Win 56–4 Diego Alcala KO 1 (15), 1:56 Jun 3, 1978 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC super featherweight title
59 Win 55–4 Rey Tam TKO 5 (15), 1:54 Apr 29, 1978 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
58 Win 54–4 Mario Mendez TKO 3 (10), 2:00 Mar 25, 1978 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57 Win 53–4 Alfredo Escalera TKO 13 (15), 2:36 Jan 28, 1978 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Won WBC super featherweight title
56 Win 52–4 Enrique Solis KO 5 (10) Dec 18, 1977 Estadio Anastasio Somoza García, Managua, Nicaragua
55 Win 51–4 Jerome Artis TKO 2 (10) Sep 29, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54 Win 50–4 Benjamin Ortiz UD 10 Aug 27, 1977 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
53 Win 49–4 Jose Fernandez TKO 1 (10), 2:06 Aug 3, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 48–4 Ezequiel Sanchez TKO 4 (10) Jun 22, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 47–4 Alberto Herrera KO 1 (10) May 14, 1977 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
50 Win 46–4 Godfrey Stevens KO 2 (10) Feb 19, 1977 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
49 Win 45–4 Salvador Torres KO 3 (15), 1:25 Jun 19, 1976 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
48 Win 44–4 Modesto Concepcion KO 2 (10) Apr 10, 1976 Universidad, Managua, Nicaragua
47 Win 43–4 Jose Torres SD 10 Feb 1, 1976 Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali, Mexico
46 Win 42–4 Saul Montana KO 3 (10) Dec 20, 1975 Polideportivo España, Managua, Nicaragua
45 Win 41–4 Royal Kobayashi KO 5 (15), 2:47 Oct 12, 1975 Kuramae Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
44 Win 40–4 Rosalio Muro TKO 2 (10), 2:54 Jul 18, 1975 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
43 Win 39–4 Rigoberto Riasco TKO 2 (15), 2:00 May 31, 1975 Estadio Ron Flor de Cana, Granada, Nicaragua Retained WBA featherweight title;
Won vacant The Ring featherweight title
42 Win 38–4 Leonel Hernandez TKO 8 (15), 2:52 Mar 15, 1975 Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela Retained WBA featherweight title
41 Win 37–4 Oscar Aparicio UD 10 Feb 8, 1975 Nuevo Poliedro, San Salvador, El Salvador
40 Win 36–4 Rubén Olivares KO 13 (15), 1:20 Nov 23, 1974 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBA featherweight title
39 Win 35–4 Otoniel Martinez KO 1 (10) Sep 21, 1974 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
38 Win 34–4 Oscar Aparicio PTS 12 Aug 24, 1974 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
37 Win 33–4 Art Hafey KO 5 (10) May 18, 1974 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
36 Win 32–4 Enrique Garcia KO 3 (10) Apr 27, 1974 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
35 Loss 31–4 Ernesto Marcel UD 15 Feb 16, 1974 Gimnasio Nuevo, Panama City, Panama For WBA featherweight title
34 Win 31–3 Raul Martinez Mora KO 1 Jan 12, 1974 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
33 Win 30–3 José Legrá TKO 1 (10) Nov 24, 1973 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
32 Win 29–3 Sigfrido Rodriguez TKO 9 (10) Oct 27, 1973 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
31 Win 28–3 Nacho Lomeli KO 1 (10), 2:33 Aug 25, 1973 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Masaya, Nicaragua
30 Win 27–3 Octavio Gomez KO 2 (10) Jun 30, 1973 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
29 Win 26–3 Kid Pascualito TKO 3 (10) May 26, 1973 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
28 Win 25–3 Magallo Lozada UD 10 Mar 31, 1973 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
27 Win 24–3 Fernando Fernandez TKO 2 Feb 24, 1973 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
26 Win 23–3 Rafael Gonzalez TKO 3 Dec 16, 1972 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
25 Win 22–3 Memo Ortiz KO 2 (10) Nov 19, 1972 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
24 Win 21–3 Memo Barrera TKO 2 Oct 21, 1972 Arena Kennedy, Managua, Nicaragua
23 Win 20–3 Jorge Benitez KO 1 Sep 9, 1972 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
22 Loss 19–3 Jorge Reyes TKO 6 (10) Jan 15, 1972 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
21 Win 19–2 Vicente Worrel Jr. KO 2 (10) Dec 18, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
20 Win 18–2 Reynaldo Mendoza TKO 4 Oct 10, 1971 Managua, Nicaragua
19 Win 17–2 Emilio Buitrago UD 10 Oct 2, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua Won vacant Nicaraguan bantamweight title
18 Win 16–2 Catalino Alvarado KO 1 Aug 14, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
17 Win 15–2 Emilio Buitrago TKO 5 (10) Jul 17, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
16 Win 14–2 Marcial Loyola TKO 2 Jun 26, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
15 Win 13–2 Kid Chapula KO 1 Jun 5, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
14 Win 12–2 Mauricio Buitrago KO 7 (10) May 1, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
13 Win 11–2 Julio Hernandez UD 10 Apr 17, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
12 Win 10–2 Julio Hernandez UD 10 Mar 13, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
11 Win 9–2 Antonio Quiroz KO 6 (8), 2:06 Feb 13, 1971 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
10 Win 8–2 Armando Figueroa TKO 1 Dec 19, 1970 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
9 Win 7–2 Julio Morales KO 3 Dec 5, 1970 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
8 Win 6–2 Jose Urbina KO 1 Nov 14, 1970 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
7 Win 5–2 Mario Bojorque KO 1 (6) Sep 24, 1970 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
6 Win 4–2 Marcelino Beckles TKO 8 (8) Sep 24, 1970 Gimnasio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica
5 Loss 3–2 Oscar Espinosa SD 6 Apr 26, 1969 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
4 Loss 3–1 Omar Amaya KO 4 Mar 1, 1969 León, Nicaragua
3 Win 3–0 Burrito Martinez TKO 3 Feb 15, 1969 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
2 Win 2–0 Oscar Espinosa SD 4 Dec 14, 1968 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua
1 Win 1–0 Israel Medina KO 1 (4) Oct 26, 1968 Estadio Thomas Cranshaw, Managua, Nicaragua

See also


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