Arguello won the fight with a 15 round unanimous decision. The one constant was fame, and sometimes, it interfered. Are you aware that many people see you as a hero? Different skills. This Q&A originally appeared in the January 1986 of KO Magazine. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Expand. WEIGHT. But you have to pay your dues. 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. For modern boxing fans, the name Alexis Arguello may ring bells for those who are fans of todays Roman Chocolatito Gonzalez, as it is Arguellowho is responsible for fostering the rise of the great Gonzalez. But when fame is automatically attached to the name, expectations are heightened, especially in a sport where dozens of namesakes have tried to emulate their celebrated fathers, one punch at a time. Arguello retired but came back two years later to fight Pat Jefferson, knocking him out in the 5th round. With time, his annoyance at fans curiosity has turned to appreciation. I get a little offended about it. He was elected mayor of Managua last year. There was no other sound except the ocean lapping at the boat, on which was painted THE CHAMP. The Ring magazine has ranked Argello 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. Produced by Alice Fang, Elijah Walker and Ege Uz. Page Youll see ad results based on factors like relevancy, and the amount sellers pay per click. He came out like a 17-year-old, Miller reported. He went on to knock out great champions like Alfredo Escalera, Bobby Chacon, Rafael Bazooka Limon, Ronaldo Navarrete and Ray Mancini, all of whom would win titles afterwards. 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. The crowd cheered, and the host offered him the microphone. THE RING SHOP (CLICK HERE). 03/13/2006. For the legendary Alexis, it was the end of something much more than the fight. Whether he does or now, a whole lot of people will be pulling for him along the way. I know what Im doing. MMA Fighter Aspen Ladd Looks Like She Might Collapse During Her Weigh-In MMA Fighter Craps Himself . MORE THAN TWO years ago, we watched in a depressed silence as Alexis Arguello was again humbled by Aaron Pryor. He returned to the United States to continue his boxing career and, after eight junior lightweight title defenses, moved up to the next weight division; by defeating Jim Watt on a 15-round decision in 1981, he became WBC lightweight champion. Called Junior at home, he favored another nickname outside: A.J. The whole story is worth a read. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Alexis Arguello prefers not to tell the details of marital status & divorce. Dr. Zacarias Duarte, Director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, reported that Argello . Alexis Arguello keeps his personal and love life private. KO: The junior welterweight division doesnt look that strong right now. In order to give you the best experience, we use cookies and similar technologies for performance, analytics, personalization, advertising, and to help our site function. And I do what I want to do. Theres Pryor, who may not be the same fighter he was when he fought you. He was a master counter puncher and a consumate professional. From a 1985 Sports Illustrated story: In 1984, when Alexis Arguello was 32, he sat on his boat in the ocean one morning and stared down the black shaft of a loaded automatic pistol. There was no weight on his legs but he had a great pair of shoulders. Pryor (31-0, 29 KOs) entered the bout as the WBA junior-welterweight champion. 02/24/2004. We see people, but we dont care about them. Youve been hurt by the revolution in your country. Thats what is important. "Alexis Arguello was a first-class fighter and a first-class gentleman," Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. Alexis Arguello, who battled his way to three world boxing titles in the ring but lost several bouts with personal demons outside the ropes, was found dead early Wednesday . Being the child of a famous athlete can come with unmatched privileges and unnerving scrutiny. [], Joe Frazier Heavyweight Champion 32-4-1 He was the first man to be The Greatest, Muhummad Ali, and the formidable trilogy between the two means the two names will forever be linked together. 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 champions, Costello, Mamby, Haley. Then I went on. frank bruno gym royal oak joshua fasted 40 days bible verse/bill hader mother/ frank bruno gym royal oak/bill hader mother/ frank bruno gym royal oak KO: You didnt discipline yourself before that fight? Could it be that the distance between opposites was-nothing? I dont want to harm boxings image. He lost his debut match on a TKO, then reeled off 36 straight wins, but lost the title match. A classic boxer with knockout power in either hand. AA: I think Im in a better situation now than I was then. Alexis Arguello was born on April 19, 1952 in Managua, Nicaragua (57 years old). And I can hold my hand on my heart and say it will never happen to me again. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/17/sports/fame-alexis-arguello-jr-boxing.html. Alexis Argello ( El Flaco Explosivo) was a Nicaraguan professional boxer. He fought his last fight on January 21, 1995 in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing a ten round decision to Scott Walker. Alexis Argello Sr. won titles in three weight classes and was named by The Associated Press as the 20th centurys top junior lightweight. I was 19 years old. But thank God I didnt, because Im stronger and more respectable now. 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 Argello finished him, once again in the thirteenth round. A young fighter with aspirations to eventually achieve immortality in boxing history. Arguello held on to batter a spent Olivares in the 13th. ALEXIS ARGUELLO grew up in Managua, Nicaragua. Alexis Arguello was born on April 19, 1952 in Managua, Nicaragua. KO: Do you think three champions in every division hurts the image? Arguellos popularity was increasing, and so too was his belt collection. A chill ran down my back. Great hard-nozed skilled fighter. Alexis Arguello has died on Jul 1, 2009 ( age 57). Who knows? Alexis Argello (April 19, 1952 - July 1, 2009) was a Nicaraguan professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995, and later became a politician. Why was I doing things that werent any good for my life? I started boxing when I was 14 years old. We became good friends. Argello 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. That is all I can say about Alexies. Search doctors, conditions, or procedures . During the 2008 documentary Assault in the Ring, former Lewis fighter Luis Resto revealed how Lewis would routinely doctor water bottles with illegal substances to give fighters a boost. March 16, 1986 . Check out our alexis arguello selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our memorabilia shops. It was Pryor who prevented the Nicaraguan from winning a title in a fourth division. Following four victories by knockout in 1981 and 1982, matches with his title on the line, Arguello next tried to win the WBAs version of the junior welterweight title, but he failed, losing championship matches by knockout to Aaron Pryor in 1982 and again in 1983. Alexis Arguello joined LIBERTY in 2016 and has over 15 years of experience in the dental industry, including extensive dental office operations management and government-funded managed care programs. The Florida State Boxing Commission failed to administer a post-fight urinalysis, adding to speculation that the bottle contained an unsanctioned substance. KO: Could you understand why some young fighters get involved with drugs? Nicaragua was in political turmoil, ruled by the Somoza family dictatorship. Do you still want to go for the best? Arguello was never the same after that and retired in 1986 after losing a second time to Pryor. St Martin His life would end tragically. Argello was stopped in the 14th round. That way it gives more accessibility to the promoters. He had classic fights with Aaron Pryor, and thrilling matches against boxing greats like Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon, and Ruben Olivares. I like my family, I want to spend time with them. welcomed fans to the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, he recognized a familiar face and beckoned him to the stage. Hed justify this choice of name long before though, getting into street fights in []. Arguello, 33, has a 78-6 record with 63 knockouots. They know what a good job I do. It was Watt's last fight and Alexis Arguello's third title.Arguello defended his titles against the likes of Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Jose Luis Ramirez, Rafael "Bazooka" Limon, Andy Ganigan, Ray Mancini and so many more. Escalera had been a busy champion with ten defenses, and he had dethroned Kuniaki Shibata in 2 rounds in Tokyo. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. You will be missed. He has won two Emmys. Right now, the junior welterweight division is in the hands of capable guys. Arguello had landed right hands that would have knocked out middleweights but Pryor was at the top of his game that night. Those are my titles, he said. Arguello afterwards respectfully said: I had so much to learn, but he taught me that I must work even harder to succeed.. I was sacrificing myself to make the weight. What is the least important NFL Combine drill. I did it for 16 years. Thats important. With seven siblings, life was difficult, so when he was just nine years old, Alexis Argello ran away to a dairy farm to earn some money to help his family. AA: From the early part of my career. A three-weight world champion with 62 KOs in 82 fights, Arguello was arguably the most dangerous boxer ever in the ring from 126lbs . Alexis was born on April 19, 1952. He is one of the Richest Boxer who was born in Nicaragua. AA: No, not at all. Newest After defending his title 8 times, Arguello challenged the Scottish Jim Watt for his lightweight title in Wembley, London. I had to ask myself, What happened, whats the reason? As a human being, I have the right to confuse myself. Arguello was inspired to box, after Eduardo purchased him his first set of gloves. Im a good human being. No cause was pure, no motive clean, no external thing could be trusted. One of his brothers was killed fighting against the Sandinistas. But that doesnt mean anything. Argello Jr. interviewed the former fighter James Toney, who was called Lights Out, for a Showtime documentary. Highest rated He then took on The Hawk Aaron Pryor for the WBA super-lightweight title in November 1982 at the Orange Bowl in Miami attempting to become the first to win titles in four divisions. It was as good a place as any to die. Thats why they keep sending me. 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). Later that year, however, he claimed the WBA title by virtue of his 13th-round knockout of Ruben Olivares. Nine months after becoming mayor of Managua in 2008, Arguello shot himself through the heart. He was very humble, reserved and quiet.Alexis Arguello died earlier today, the victim of a self inflicted gun shot wound. definicin genetica y psiquiatria The HBHOF is a voting body composed entirely of current and former fighters. Yes, I can. Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Argello, . His undefeated 1992 team won the junior college national championship. Argello was born April 19, 1952. The second Arguello-Pryor fight ended with a 10th round KO of Arguello. Everything was nice, there wasnt any problem at all. Pinterest. Alexis Arguello was voted as the Greatest Junior Lightweight Ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014. KO: People were bothered when they saw you fight Pryor. January 25, 1984-New York, New York: Chairman of the Board Muhammad Ali of the newly formed . It's a testament to the great fighter that he was and the gentleman that he is jmiz STarting as a bantamweight, Jr. welter was 4 weight classes up from where he started. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Joseph Agbeko estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Truly unfortunate, nevertheless. Arguello travelled to Millers home in New Hampshire and, over the course of six weeks, underwent a complete physical and psychological evaluation. To be what? 06/14/2004. One boxing fan, Jason Lacey, 39, recalled chatting with a very easygoing Alexis Argello Sr. for 45 minutes at a Hall of Fame event. Marital status & divorce ko Magazine human being, I have the right to confuse myself he another... Was Pryor who prevented the Nicaraguan from winning a title in Wembley London. Face and beckoned him to the International boxing Hall of Fame in 2014,. They saw you fight Pryor: the junior welterweight division alexis arguello training routine look strong. 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