Alexis Argüello

Alexis Argüello
Statistics
Nickname(s)
  • El Flaco Explosivo
    ("The Explosive Thin Man")
  • El Caballero del Ring
    ("The Gentleman of the Ring")
Rated at
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach 72 in (183 cm)
Nationality Nicaraguan
Born (1952-04-19)April 19, 1952
Barrio Monseñor Lezcano, Managua, Nicaragua
Died July 1, 2009(2009-07-01) (aged 57)
Managua, Nicaragua
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 85
Wins 77
Wins by KO 72
Losses 8

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 super featherweight of the 20th century.[1]

Boxing career

"The Explosive Thin Man" suffered an unavenged first-round TKO loss in his 1968 professional debut, but then won 36 of his next 38 bouts, which then led him to a world Featherweight championship bout against experienced WBA champion Ernesto Marcel of Panama in Panama. The young challenger lost a 15-round unanimous decision in Marcel's retirement bout.

Undaunted, Argüello began another streak of wins, and found himself in the ring with a world champion again, this time challenging Marcel's successor to the throne, Mexican world champion Rubén Olivares in Los Angeles. After Olivares 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 successfully defended this title four times, then 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.

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 3 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 less known challengers in this division, one exception being the famous prospect Ray Mancini (known as "Boom Boom" Mancini) who would later be the subject of a made-for-television movie. 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. This fight was referenced in the Warren Zevon song "Boom Boom Mancini".

Battles with Aaron Pryor

Arguello 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 4 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 however, 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.[2][3] 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.[4][5][6] Others say that there was a mixture of cocaine, honey and orange juice in the bottle. [7]

A rematch was ordered. This time, in Las Vegas, Arguello 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.[8] 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 sports 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.[9]

Argüello was an avid breeder of cats, and had several articles published in Cat Fancy magazine throughout the 1990s.

He remained very friendly with his old rival Aaron Pryor, and the pair saw each other several times a year until Argüello's death.

Alexis Arguello was voted as the Greatest Junior Lightweight Ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014. The HBHOF is a voting body composed entirely of current and former fighters.

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[10] elections 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.[11]

Death

Memorial to Alexis Argüello in Managua

Argüello died around 1 a.m. local time on July 1, 2009, after allegedly shooting himself through the heart in Managua, according to a report from Channel 8 national television. Some reports at the time said there could have been some foul play involved, and he was killed by the highest echelons of the government.

The national police confirmed the death shortly afterwards, and the death was ruled a suicide following the autopsy.[12][13]

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.[14]

Professional boxing record

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

Titles in boxing

Regional titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Leonel Urbina		 Nicaraguan bantamweight champion
October 2, 1971 – 1974
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Moises Castro
World titles
Preceded by
Rubén Olivares		 WBA featherweight champion
November 23, 1974 – January 1977
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
Vacant
Title last held by
Eder Jofre		 Lineal featherweight champion
May 31, 1975 – June 20, 1977
Vacated
Vacant
Title last held by
Alfredo Escalera		 WBC super featherweight champion
January 28, 1978 – August 1980
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Edwin Rosario
Preceded by
Jim Watt		 WBC lightweight champion
June 20, 1981 – July 1982
Vacated
The Ring lightweight champion
June 20, 1981 – February 1983
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Julio César Chávez
Vacant
Title last held by
Roberto Durán		 Lineal lightweight champion
June 20, 1981 – February 1983
Vacated

See also

References

External links

Obituaries

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