Alexis Arguello vs Julio Caesar Chavez at 130 lbs, 15 rounds, both peak.

A thrilling matchup. I didn't see much of Chavez at 130, though he was dominant there.
Alexis was a monster at this weight. As said, he reached his zenith here. I see this going the distance, maybe with Arguello being just a bit too much for Chavez at this weight.
It would definitely be an epic, epic fight though; almost certainly a fight of the year candidate.

 

Let's see. If Arguello made it to the 14th round with Pryor as a fading champion venturing into a division whch further slowed him, I'd say Arguello's chances are quite good.

Chavez was no Aaron Pryor nd on top of that I wonder about Leonard's statement "I dont know where Aaron got the energy from"

A VERY astute observation consdiering who was in his corner

so with all that considered, I, without hestitation, like Arguello's chances in this one

The problem is, I've never seen Chavez actually beat another great fighter in his prime
He had help beating Taylor
He didnt come anywhere close to beating Pernel
The last time Camacho was close to his prime was 5 years previous
He lost twice to De LaHoya - twice by tko and you think Arguello wont stop him?

Who did he really beat? Rosario who already lost to Camacho & Ramirez?

The most probable outcome is Arguello picks him apart and ends with a violent late rounds
tko

 

Great post 88!

 

It was. And it makes the point that you can't say peak Chavez then put the weight at 130lbs.

It wasn't his optimum weight and he was still a work in progress at 130.

Peak Chavez came at 135 or early in his days at 140 for me. Better weight for him and he had more experience at that point. Alexis on the other hand was around 27 and had nine years of seasoning by the time he fought for the SFW title.

So this is a close fight where I'd favour the more experienced and natural 130lber - Arguello. But it wouldn't be a walk in the park. 130lbs is where Julio started building the legacy that had a lot of people proclaiming him as the best ever Mexican. That may have been stretching it but it wasn't - isn't, even - a shocking statement. Think what that means. Best ever Mexican. Nobody, not even prime Alexis Arguello, walks through a fighter given even passing consideration for that accolade.

 

Arguello was a machine at super feather/lightweight
but so was Chavez TBH. This would be a tough go for
both men.
I'll lean to Arguello here. Arguello would have
3"height and 6" reach advantage. This would
be hugh when considering how Chavez fought.
Also Arguello would be very capable of going
into Chavez's backyard and competing
with him, that's the inside game, where
Chavez usually dominates.
Arguello was a better puncher .
I believe after 10-11 rd Chavez would began
to relent , realizing he has to pay a heavy
toll inside against Arguello.
This would slow the pace down, Arguello
goes on to win the championship rds, wins
a unanimous dec.

 

I'll go against the grain here and say Arguello UD.

 

Arguello is way ahead.

 

Chavez by decision in an entertaining war.

Check out performances against common opponents: Limon, Castillo, Ramirez.

 

Nobody drops prime Chavez at 140 and lower.

 

Alexis by UD.

 

Mancini couldn't hit him in the ass.

 

At 130, I’d pick Arguello. At 135, I’d pick Chavez.

 

What? He fought Limon in 1988 when Limon was shot to bits. He fought Castillo 5 years after Alexis and Castillo wasnt even close to being what he once was.
Ramirez was winding down after a very long career-he fought only 3 more times winning only one.

 

Chavez KO.

He was the better, more complete fighter at that weight. Sorry if that hurts.