Mancini vs Arguello - If only every fight was like this

Mainly because a lot of people think that because Gatti inherited the Blood N Guts mantle from Mancini that Boom Boom was nothing more than a C level fighter. The guys resume for such a short career is really good with Chacon, Frias and Arguello to name a few. He was a very skilled guy who just seemed to subtract from his skill by being to ballsy and hearty at times.

He just ran into a very special sort of fighter like Arguello.

 

......Well, there's always a Gatti. I always thought Gatti inherited the title from Chacon more than Mancini, but you're right, its a good parallel.

Let's not forget he also shut out Ramirez over 12 rounds before he won the title. That's a really big win, and one his critics tend to gloss over or never mention when they deride him.

 

I think you may be right on the Chacon/Mancini issue. Honestly I can't tell you either way because I didn't live through the Mancini/Chacon era but I always figured it went Mancini-Gatti and then Katsidis.

I often times feel like Mancini is glossed over because he was the purest boxer alive. In a sense it's allowed his true skills to go very under the radar because nobody remembers him being skilled.

I've always wondered how Arguello would be viewed in today's era. I could see a lot of people referring to him as boring because of his unbelievable ability to pace himself and set up his spots.

At the same time I imagine people would fall in love with the humble foreigner who took on all comers.

 

.............Nah; Arguello would be remembered fondly no matter what era. Because he was there to do battle and had only an average defense, he's a lock for any favorites list.


Here's Chacon in what was in my opinion the greatest fight ever. Gatti was a worthy successor, but Jesus..........


[YT]9fHl3FLPrUE[/YT]

 

I only ask about Arguello because watching Carlos Monzon tapes (or what there is to watch) makes me think that he'd be blasted as being boring and/or overly cautious.

Chacon was/is a microcosm of all that is good and bad about boxing. One of the biggest rise and fall stories in boxing.

 

Arguello would easily have a niche in the south eastern/north eastern region. The problem is instead of letting him draw big numbers in the florida pan handle or in the southern parts of the U.S, he'd be forced to fight in Vegas in front of a neutral crowd with no supporters thus eliminating part of his appeal. Arguello vs JMM, Ricky Hatton and a wide assortment of the characters in the 130-140 range would be really fun to watch.

Aaron Pryor on the other hand would probably be boxing's biggest star if he was boxing these days.

 

.............As good as Arguello's right was, I wouldn't rate it above his hook. Or jab. Had a hell of an uppercut, too.


There really wasn't a punch he didn't throw perfectly. No one shot really stands out.

 

Hatton is made to order for a fighter with a decent counter hook. Mayweather exposed it and lower level guys like Lazcano and Malignaggi were able to use it effectively. The way that I see it the first few hooks that Arguello landed would put Hatton into serious peril. I think Hatton would have a hard time seeing the distance.

JMM or Pac against Arguello would be a lot closer IMO.

 

..........Whhaaaa? He had an awesome jab. I only ask this out of curiosity, what other Arguello fights have you seen?

The Mancini fight though, was a textbook clinic in the jab. It snapped Mancini's head back and disrupted his rhythm. I actually thought that by the time he got to lightweight, Arguello had become a bit more wooden, and if you watch his featherweight or junior-lightweight efforts, he looked a lot more fluid.