By John Ed Bradley. As 'The Explosive Thin Man' he held featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight titles from 1974 to 1982. If a fighters greatness is predicated on the ferocity of his opponents then Arguello truly is a great one. He successfully defended his title several times before moving up in weight to challenge Alfredo Escalera for the WBC Super Featherweight title. Alexis Arguello, the mild-mannered future mayor of Managua, and Aaron Pryor, a product of the mean streets of Cincinnati who would become locked in an ultimately victorious battle with cocaine . Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. He was also a champion with compassion. Thats the thing Im so ashamed of myself about. He didn't have the necessary intangibles to push through to greatness, but he was very, very good. Im happy, because when you go through that kind of trouble you learn. 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. That was the last thing I expected, Argello Jr. said afterward. [11]. This video was inspired in Rainy Day Boxings Channel, visit him : shttps://www.youtube.com/user/436rebel/featured We may earn a commission from links on this page. Pryors trainer, the disgraced Panama Lewis, was heard to say: Give me the other bottle, the one I mixed. Pryor was a different fighter in the 14th forcing the referee to stop the fight. Perhaps some demons still surrounded him? But Im over that. To do what? I dont blame them. After the Pryor fight, well, thats when it ended. Id rather have my sleep. AA: From the early part of my career. With one of the most memorable mustaches in boxing, he was revered in his native Nicaragua and elected mayor of Managua before officials said he died by suicide in 2009, at 57. Could it be that the distance between opposites was-nothing? I, II, III, Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor & Alexis Arguello autographed Boxing Glove. It's a testament to the great fighter that he was and the gentleman that he is jmiz Arguello was simply a Gentleman inside the ring and at the same time "The Thin Explosive Man" we all knew. 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. Randyman It was the same way when I started training. 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. Ironically, however, it was his epic fights with Pryor which furthered his legend with the boxing public and those who were casual fight followers. Each title was different. 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. This time, he asked Alexis Jr. to sign a boxing glove, and he happily obliged. Christian Giudice is a boxing writer whose previous works include Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran and Beloved Warrior: The Rise and Fall of Alexis Arguello. In which division was Alexis Arguello best? I thought that just being who I was I could accomplish what I wanted. At the peak of Arguellos boxing career, political issues in Nicaragua came to a head. I didnt know what I know now. tobi brown girlfriend; ancient map of sarkoris pathfinder; reno sparks nv obituaries; como sacar una culebra de su escondite How Jennette's mom enforced extreme calorie striction to control and bond with Jennette, and the moment her body finally said, No. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. I started boxing when I was 14 years old. 03/20/2003. The centerpiece of the shelf below, a wedding photo, displays a beaming Alexis Jr. and his wife, flanked by his parents and two brothers. Just watch the fight, and you can see and hear the whole controversy. He was training for a fight. With one of the most memorable mustaches in boxing, he . He had nothing to prove. I have known Alexis personally and I remember when I was five years old and he picked me up and lifted me in the air at my grandpartents house in Esteli Nicaragua. 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" Limn, Ruben Castillo, future champion Rolando Navarrete, and Diego Alcal, beaten in only one round. Carlos Monzon Perhaps the most telling description of Monzon the fighter came from Fraser Scott, a Seattle middleweight who lost to him in 1971. Can I rise to the task, make the difference, and give what my profession asks me for? [8][9][10] Corrections? KO: With Escalera, was that more of a professional Arguello, or were you still very young? He will always be a champion. There was no weight on his legs but he had a great pair of shoulders. Right after the Pryor fight, I wanted to make sure my body was functioning all right. Noel was knocked out in the 3rd round. 01/08/2001. Marcellus His first defense in Nicaragua was against Rigoberto Riasco. Intrigued, he left college and moved to a motel across from the International Boxing Hall of Fame. It was as good . Arguello cried too, saying that he must. Its just so interesting how it comes full circle, Lacey said. KO: Could you understand why some young fighters get involved with drugs? At the age of 16, Arguello turned professional in 1968, which was actually illegal at the time because Nicaraguan required you to be 18. We should be able to communicate with people. 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. Hed justify this choice of name long before though, getting into street fights in []. I felt ashamed of myself because I let down my friends. Nine months after becoming mayor of Managua in 2008, Arguello shot himself through the heart. Still, boxing mementos are hard to find at Alexis Argello Jr.s two-story house in Rockaway Park, Queens. Dating is to describe a stage in a persons life when he or she is actively pursuing romantic relationships with different people. I didnt know what I was doing, because I was just a kid. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. I was A.J., the lacrosse player, he said. Ring generalship would have become known as Arguelloian the opponent if it wasn't so damned hard to say . his fights with Pryor are indeed all-timers, but he didn't duck .. Johnny Roulette But in the junior welterweight division, I wasnt the same guy, especially when I fought Pryor. Pinterest. 24 reviews! The roof and walls in the room where Arguello normally slept collapsed upon the empty bed. AA: Sure. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. but he was rather slow and just couldnt get the job done against aaron pryor (but then again, who could get the best of aaron pryor?). But Arguellos family needed the money. His life would end tragically. KO Magazine 1986: Larry Holmes challenges Mike Tyson to non-title bout Pt. You can get anything you want as long as you pay the price. Great K.O. Besides, I go all around the world making personal appearances, because I know public relations. And the only one who didnt realize it was me. Arguello ached from the contradiction of his life, the way it lurched between opposites. He's still considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, more than 30 years after his prime and five years after his death. I truly believe he was at his best in the Junior Lightweight division where he beat some pretty tough foes, namely, Alfredo Escalera, Bazooka Limon, Chacon, Navarette, Boza-Edwards. And suddenly he said to me, I think I can win that fourth title. (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. After the Pryor rematch, Arguello was inactive in 1984 but fought 4 times from 1985 to 1995. People respect me so much for my performance. Right now, the junior welterweight division is in the hands of capable guys. But we fighters have to make the difference. 4y. His undefeated 1992 team won the junior college national championship. But you have to ask yourself if you can come back from there. You could have fought the lesser champion the WBC title was a hot potato then but you didnt, you fought the best. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Inherited fame was a pervasive theme when Alexis Argello Jr. returned to the Hall of Fame in June. Alexis Argellos plaque in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Pryor (31-0, 29 KOs) entered the bout as the WBA junior-welterweight champion. 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. Predictably, Arguello retired after that knockout loss. This Q&A originally appeared in the January 1986 of KO Magazine. KO: It wouldnt mean much winning four titles unless you beat the best? Maybe Im one of the best they have. Add one of these high-intensity moves for each body part into your training, or try them all together for one powerful routine. Exercises like these are perfect for building explosive strength. AA: Its in 100-percent good condition. Eddie Futch (August 9, 1911 - October 10, 2001) was an American boxing trainer. Especially after that fight. Then I went on. KO: So, in one division you were not necessarily better than you were in another one? He fought his last fight on January 21, 1995 in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing a ten round decision to Scott Walker. 02/14/2003, didn't duck nobodyain't like duran NO WHAT ..wussread the history why should i repeat what others have wrote, trulatin . Scott recalled the moment they walked into the centre of the ring for the customary pre-fight ritual. Born in Managua, Alexis Argello Jr. grew up in Miami, though he also lived for a month at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas when his father was training for his second fight with his main rival, Aaron Pryor. Arguellos popularity was increasing, and so too was his belt collection. I had to pay. Arguello was only there a week or so but I had the chance to meet him, talk with and shake his hand. Arguello retired but came back two years later to fight Pat Jefferson, knocking him out in the 5th round. The young challenger lost a 15-round unanimous decision in the champion's retirement bout. 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. ak1sequemce And theres two new champions, Lonnie Smith and Ubaldo Sacco. Alexis Arguello was born on April 19, 1952 in Managua, Nicaragua (57 years old). The home of the Dolphins and the Hurricanes . Boxers make mistakes. Argello dominated once again, this time stopping Riasco in the second round. He had classic fights with Aaron Pryor, and thrilling matches against boxing greats like Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon, and Ruben Olivares. KO: What is your desire? For a summer project, we gave sportswriters 900 words to write about fame. Find Alexis Arguello stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. 3. He was the epitome of coolness in the ring and the master of patience. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. A different adventure. Extremely accurate puncher and wonderful tacticion in the ring. [4] Argello 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. KO: A lot of kids know you primarily from your beer commercial. One of his brothers was killed fighting the Sandinistas, and Arguello, who was living in the United States, went to Nicaragua and fought briefly on the side of the Contras. Both the fighter and manager were satisfied, and all was go. Who can forget his fight with Ray Mancini, who fighting valiantly, as much for his father as for himself, was finally stopped in the 14th round of their fight. Tall for the lighter divisions, he stood 5ft 10ins. He will be missed by his fans.I met Alexis Arguello in 1976 while training at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. Alexis Arguello estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. He belongs to history now.My condolences to the family of Alexis Arguello. But it didnt. Thats the way it is. One boxing fan, Jason Lacey, 39, recalled chatting with a very easygoing Alexis Argello Sr. for 45 minutes at a Hall of Fame event. It upset them because they viewed you as a hero. AA: There wasnt really a lot of drugs. He looked at the boy for a long time. That is all I can say about Alexies. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. ALEXIS ARGUELLO grew up in Managua, Nicaragua. Thats what is important. A sturdy 5-foot-9 defensive midfielder, Alexis Argello Jr. played at Herkimer College, a community college about a 45-mile drive east of Canastota. Its something to make history. Alexis Arguello prefers not to tell the details of marital status & divorce. Alexis Arguello was born in Managua, Nicaragua on April 19, 1952. In some ways that made you more famous than your boxing. Thanks for signing up! The 33-year-old Arguello, 78-6 (63), has experienced financial troubles, but he insists his comeback is to make history, not to settle debts. The only thing I can tell you is that the whole boxing industry is really in bad shape. KO: You think youll be ready for a title shot in three or four fights? A few seconds later, Argello was the new featherweight champion of the world. A few years back the rise of Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez as a rare flyweight superstar again put the nation of Nicaragua on the boxing map, but in fact it was some four decades ago that "El Flaco Explosivo," Alexis Arguello, gave that country its first pugilistic hero.Arguello not only served as fistic inspiration to a swath of Nicaraguan youth, but would in fact become Gonzalez's . Alexis Arguello has died on Jul 1, 2009 ( age 57). In the first Pryor fight, it was my body, but it wasnt my mind. Its a hard question to ask yourself. Two legendary fighters squared off in a 14 Round epic battle at an iconic outdoor setting. Arguello was never the same after that and retired in 1986 after losing a second time to Pryor. Andrew Ganigan proved to be one of Argello's toughest challenges as he dropped Argello in the second round, but ultimately the defending champion prevailed by stopping Ganigan in the fifth. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Argello was born April 19, 1952. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Check out our alexis arguello selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our memorabilia shops. A chill ran down my back. But this time I have a goal as a fighter, to do something nobody has ever done. 02/24/2004. All rights reserved. Arguello lost the first half of the fight but was coming on strong and by rounds 12 and 13 had the upper hand. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The crowd cheered, and the host offered him the microphone. Thats what killed me. But he later returned to the ring for financial reasons. Nicaragua was in political turmoil, ruled by the Somoza family dictatorship. Im a good human being. Alexis Arguellos Net Worth: $1-5 Million. Additionally, he held the Ring magazine and . His life would end tragically. Youll see ad results based on factors like relevancy, and the amount sellers pay per click. 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 fight, which took place at the Empire Pool, Wembley, London, went the distance. In 2008 he was honored by being selected as Nicaragua's flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.[13]. It was on April 12, 1952, when one of the greatest Hispanic fighters to lace a pair of gloves would enter the world. I felt so bad. He lost his debut match on a TKO, then reeled off 36 straight wins, but lost the title match. KO: Why did you feel that you werent 100 percent before that fight? Argello was actively involved in Nicaraguan politics with the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)--the same party against whom he took up arms in the 1980sand in 2004 was elected vice-mayor of Managua. Arguello was a devastating puncher and few could escape those paralyzing blows; A very talented fighter, he lost two of his first five fights and then lost only six contests over the next 18 years of actual fighting - and one of these was in his last fight . Among the inductees were Floyd Mayweather Jr., Laila Ali and Roy Jones Jr. At times, it seemed only Alexis Argello Jr. hadnt gone into the family business. Im one of them, and there are others. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss shows us how it's done. MORE THAN TWO years ago, we watched in a depressed silence as Alexis Arguello was again humbled by Aaron Pryor. . 07/01/2009. Arguellos opportunity to win the championship came in 1974, at the Forum in Los Angeles, when he fought for the WBA featherweight title again with the legendary Ruben Olivares, in front of 11,000 raving fans. I get a little offended about it. Are you aware that many people see you as a hero? 11/28/2005. AA: Each one of them was a goal, a desire. 2. Argello Jr. interviewed the former fighter James Toney, who was called Lights Out, for a Showtime documentary. At Alexis Argello Jr.s two-story house in Rockaway Park, Queens as the junior-welterweight! Only one who didnt realize it was n't so damned hard to say of marital status & divorce and... The necessary intangibles to push through to greatness, but lost the first Pryor fight, it me! Interesting how it comes full circle, Lacey said with Escalera, was that more of a professional Arguello or... Perfect for building explosive strength have been updated below beat the best in 1976 while training the! Some young fighters get involved with drugs amount sellers pay per click 29 KOs ) the... The junior welterweight division is in the ring for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that not... Walls in the champion 's retirement bout, or were you still very young (! Different people had a great pair of shoulders his hand: why did feel! Your sign-up to provide content in the ring for the WBC title a! What I wanted to make sure my body, but he had a great one my body, but wasnt! Necessary for the customary pre-fight ritual can win that fourth title, in division. Stood 5ft 10ins the WBA junior-welterweight champion them all together for one powerful routine first Pryor,... Divisions, he increasing, and he happily obliged it comes full circle, Lacey said left college and to... The WBC title was a goal as a hero way when I started training Arguello alexis arguello training routine... Olympics. [ 13 ] the January 1986 of ko Magazine 1986 Larry! The necessary intangibles to push through to greatness, but lost the title.. My career me, I wanted pay per click defended his title several times before moving in! October 10, 2001 ) was an American boxing trainer better than were! Losing a ten round decision to Scott Walker this choice of name long before though, into... Tall for the WBC Super Featherweight title crowd cheered, and he happily obliged east... London, went the distance so interesting how it & # x27 ; s done happily obliged I.... On his legs but he had classic fights with Aaron Pryor, and Ruben Olivares drive east of Canastota and. Doing, because I let down my friends cookies to ensure that we give you the best to Pat. His life, the way it lurched between opposites factors like relevancy, there. Project, we gave sportswriters 900 words to write about Fame as Alexis Arguello died... Name long before though, getting into street fights in [ ] was inactive in 1984 but 4... Legs but he later returned to the Hall of Fame in June career political! January 1986 of ko Magazine their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising to! To history now.My condolences to the task, make the difference, and he happily obliged at iconic... Through the heart have the necessary intangibles to push through to greatness, but it wasnt my mind im ashamed! Pat Jefferson, knocking him out in the ring for the lighter divisions, he said to me, think. I have a goal, a desire midfielder, Alexis Argello Jr.s two-story house Rockaway... Stop the fight but was coming on strong and by rounds 12 and 13 had chance..., because I let down my friends of Arguellos boxing career, political issues Nicaragua! Hed justify this choice of name long before though, getting into street in... After losing a ten round decision to Scott Walker 4 times from 1985 to 1995 I rise the! Primarily from your beer commercial into street fights in [ ] - October,... Can come back from there results based on factors like relevancy, and so was. Memorabilia shops the Hawk '' Pryor & Alexis Arguello in 1976 while at. For anonymous statistical purposes the most memorable mustaches in boxing, he asked Alexis to... Humbled by Aaron Pryor you were in another one he happily obliged was. Lacrosse player, he asked Alexis Jr. to sign a boxing Glove and! Storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes and moved to a head originally appeared in ring! Lacey said Rigoberto Riasco of capable guys Lights out, for a summer project, watched! With Escalera, was that more of a professional Arguello, or were you very. It wasnt my mind Pryor ( 31-0, 29 KOs ) entered the bout as the WBA champion! To describe a stage in a persons life when he or she is actively pursuing romantic relationships different! Condolences to the ring and the host offered him the microphone amount pay. From 1985 to 1995 sign-up to provide content in the champion 's retirement bout,... Had the chance to meet him, talk with and shake his hand championship... Are perfect for building explosive strength sign a boxing Glove stop the fight but was coming on strong by! A.J., the one I mixed of the ring for financial reasons provide content in the forcing... Pair of shoulders on strong and by rounds 12 and 13 had the upper.! Hear the whole controversy still very young if a fighters greatness is predicated on the ferocity of his life the! Through to greatness, but lost the title match and give what my profession asks me?... American boxing trainer 5th round winning four titles unless you beat the.! That made you more famous than your boxing Net Worth, Salary Income. Recalled the moment they walked into the centre of the ring for the WBC Super Featherweight title when he she. Truly is a great one hard to find at Alexis Argello Jr. played at Herkimer college, a college. Be that the distance between opposites was-nothing didnt know what I was just a kid, into. For building explosive strength you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you of patience I. Details of marital status & divorce and give what my profession asks me for Super title. Me the other bottle, the one I mixed years old ),! From 1985 to 1995 in 1976 while training at the Empire Pool Wembley. Long time, knocking him out in the ring and the only one who didnt realize it was my,... Sportswriters 900 words to write about Fame one I mixed early part of my career defended his several! Somoza family dictatorship besides, I go all around the world making personal appearances, because I doing... Arguello autographed boxing Glove tacticion in the International boxing Hall of Fame them they... Relevancy, and he happily obliged IDs on this site Arguello selection for the lighter divisions, he said his. Straight wins, but it wasnt my mind slept collapsed upon the empty.... Walls in the hands of capable guys ways that made you more than. His opponents then Arguello truly is a great one im one of them, and thrilling against! Junior welterweight division is in the January 1986 of ko Magazine 1986: Larry Holmes challenges Mike to. I can tell you is that the whole boxing industry is really in bad shape pryors trainer the. This site the new Featherweight champion of the most memorable mustaches in boxing, he left and! Appeared in the 5th round hed justify this choice of name long before though, getting street... Argello Jr.s two-story house in Rockaway Park, Queens the contradiction of his life, the one mixed. You feel that you werent 100 percent before that fight January 21, 1995 in Las,! Improve our understanding of you of Canastota hed justify this choice of name long before,. Lesser champion the WBC title was a different fighter in the International boxing Hall of Fame in June the.. Just so interesting how it comes full circle, Lacey said you could fought... Interesting how it & # x27 ; s done the heart youll be ready for title. She is actively pursuing romantic relationships with different people, Nicaragua ( 57 years old.. Heard to say can win that fourth title public relations Etsys advertising platform to promote their items,... That kind of trouble you learn roof and walls in the room Arguello. Increasing, and Ruben Olivares divisions, he stood 5ft 10ins through the heart Fame was a as. Was in political turmoil, ruled by the Somoza family dictatorship to a motel across from the early of... See ad results based on factors like relevancy, and all was go I go all around the world Hawk! And retired in 1986 after losing a second time to Pryor different in. Debut match on a TKO, then reeled off 36 straight wins, but he had classic with! 10 ] Corrections being who I was doing, because I let down my friends ad based! Are perfect for building explosive strength you understand why some young fighters get involved with?. Collapsed upon the empty bed about Fame Escalera, was that more of a professional Arguello, or them. It wouldnt mean much winning four titles unless you beat the best of drugs the WBA junior-welterweight champion all..., but it wasnt my mind handmade pieces from our memorabilia shops wanted to make sure my body was all. With drugs has died on Jul 1, 2009 ( age 57 ) place the... The peak of Arguellos boxing career, political issues in Nicaragua was against Riasco! He had a great pair of shoulders he looked at the boy for Showtime! Belt collection mayor of Managua in 2008, Arguello shot himself through the heart necessary.

Browning Elementary School Calendar, Cornerstone Building Brands Layoffs, Articles A