Alexis Arguello: 1952-2009

by Brickhaus on Jul 1, 2009 10:04 AM EDT in News Comment 11 comments

According to the Associated Press, Alexis Arguello was found dead in his home this morning, of an apparent suicide. Arguello was an extraordinary man who was able to succed both within and outside of the ring.

As a fighter, Arguello racked up a record of 82-8, with 65 knockouts, becoming world champion in three different weight classes. Arguello, a Hall of Famer, owns a number of significant wins, including wins over Ruben Olivares, Alfredo Escalera, Bobby Chacon, Rafael Limon, Jim Watt and Ray Mancini. Perhaps his most well known fight in the US, however, came when he was well past his prime and well above his best weight, in a junior welterweight battle with Aaron Pryor. Arguello had huge one punch power, and many of his best wins came when he was behind on all of the cards.

After his career as a boxer, Arguello became the mayor of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. Recently, he had become the subject of controversy, with allegations of voting fraud and public graft.

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Woah… I can’t believe this.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Jul 1, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sad ending

to a great champion.

never would have thought that the hawk would outlive him outside the ring.

2 fights i will never ever forget and will watch over and over are the mancini and of course, one of my favorite fights of all time, the first pryor fight.

by sonofapsycho on Jul 1, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A good man in and out of the ring

Rest In Peace El Flaco Explosivo.

by AsianSensation on Jul 1, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RIP

God bless him. A great inside and outside those ropes

When you dream...anything is possible... People can fly. Sometimes theres a moment when you wake and become aware of your surroundings..but you are still dreaming... You may think you can fly but you better not try...

by dinkman on Jul 1, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

awful story, wonderful fighter

Really hard to come up with anything more to say right now. His legacy will live on, obviously.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I became a boxing fan

because of the fights with Pryor. Being from Cincinnati, I rooted quite hard against Arguello and thought that his “gentleman of boxing” persona was quite annoying and overwrought. While still an unabashed admirer of Pryor, my view of Arguello has changed radically. He was an exquisite boxer and seemed like a thoroughly decent man. I hope his family and friends get through this the best way they can. The boxing family has lost one of its most dignified members. RIP, sir.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Jul 1, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alexis Arguello fight highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MskyGZGLQMI

"Penelosa is not human." -Max Kellerman on Gerry Penelosa during the Juan Manuel Lopes-Gerry Penelosa bout.

by Sickle on Jul 1, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow I can't believe this

RIP to one of the all-time greats in boxing.

Andy Reid is the only coach in NFL history that uses the pass to set up the pass.

by SSreporters on Jul 1, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Speechless....

Being a lifelong boxing fan, this death has affected me more than Michael Jackson’s or Farrah Fawcett’s. Add to that, Arguello was always one of my favorites. He was a brilliant fighter, and the epitome of class in and out of the ring. I know he always had his demons, but I just never thought he would go out like this (if suicide is, in fact, confirmed to be the cause of death). I feel he still had so much to give to the sport, its fans, his countrymen, his family. This is very upsetting. He will be dearly missed…

by Areglado on Jul 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RESPECT....

Great champ much respect

Melooooooo

by Mr.Clutch15 on Jul 2, 2009 3:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ARGUELLO

In the muck and mire of pro boxing there’re few quality people of the stature of the great Alexis. Having met him in 2007 at the IBHOF, I can attest that this was a genuinely kind , gracious and passionate person. Despite the distressing initial reports, I suspect foul play to settle a political vendetta. Lets wait till the facts are in. His loss is heartbreaking. In his new position he could’ve helped so many people, that was his life quest.
In every sense of the words, humanity has lost an EL GRANDE CAMPEON !!

by JZZY on Jul 3, 2009 7:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs