Not 'who would win' (unless you want to) but why didn't it happen? Lopez picked up his title in 1976 and Arguello exited the division in 1977 to move up. Was the window of opportunity too small? Seems a shame - would have been a classic even if the assumption is Arguello had a bit too much all-round and Danny was a bit too hittable to win.
Very short overlap. If I had been managing Lopez, no way in the world would I go anywhere near this fight. Because Lopez was exciting to watch, he was a money maker. Also, by the time he won the title, he had a lot of miles on him, he'd taken tons of punches. They made him a lot of money by picking his opponents and getting him on television all the time. An Arguello fight right after winning the title would have been the end of that.
Yeah, I didn't realise that there actually wasn't any overlap at all when I created the thread. Arguello made his last defense in June 1976 and appears to have immediately vacated the title after that fight. Lopez won his title in November 1976. I always thought Arguello was champion even in 1977. You live and learn.
Very short overlap, and maybe not a good fight for either. Lopez was not ready for a fighter like Arguello. However, Arguello was starving himself to make weight at that point and putting him in with such a dangerous puncher while totally drained might not be a good idea. Arguello should have won it unless he was struggling with the weight too much.
Danny "Little Red Lopez" would not match up well with Alexis Arguello, the latter being taller and having more skills in addition to being a terrific puncher. - Chuck Johnston
