Very interesting fight. Arguello could be outfought on the inside for stretches (see his fights with Olivares and Escalera), but only a very exceptional fighter could've kept it up for an entire fight. However, Armstrong was one of the most exceptional fighters that ever lived.
I think Arguello actually grew into the 130-140lbs very well, he got stronger as he grew as most men did. Ofcourse he was even more of a freak of nature for a feathweight with greater advantages. Armstrong was probably a physical freak of nature at 126lbs too. He ws probably more comfortable at 130lbs but Arguello probably was to be fair. I wonder if such a huge FW like Arguello would have been drained at 126 and thats why he came into his own somewhat at 130lbs. Whats the earliest Armstrong footage out there, does the Sarron fight exist?
I think most would consider Ross prime at 135lbs, where he'd weigh low 130s, Arguello's prime is considered to be at 130lbs so its close in that sense but Arguello has inches in height, reach on Ross and looks stockier, stronger and leaner
Ross wasn't at 135 for the vast majority of his prime, so that argument is a contradiction. When did he weigh in "the low 130s" during his prime?? How on earth is he both stockier and leaner?? :huh
I think I PP means that Ross had a more slight and less muscular build than Arguello..even though he was shorter. Which is true but different guys have different physiques. Ross' effectiveness at the higher weights cannot be questioned, I feel he is the naturally bigger guy.
Exactly Arguello was a beast of a man, every sinew of his muscles was boxing specific strength, which is very rare. Look at his back and shoulders, his conditioning. Unlike most rangy boxers he was strong on the inside. He always bossed opponents around the ring, you just couldn't go toe-toe with him, even Pryor was reliant on his speed, workrate and skill because punch for punch he was getting bossed
'Lean' is a measure of bodyfat percentage. Stocky is a measure of muscularity. You can be stocky and lean
To be fair here though, Olivares used a very tactical and clever inside fight as instead of completely swarming all over Arguello he was getting in and constantly changing angles with his shots. I don't think Armstrong's type of inside fighting and style suit this type of fight IMO, but his inside work could do some damage. I just don't like the way Arguello can bang the body as Armstrong comes in, looks like it would really work against Armstrong. I can't see it big either way. I think Armstrong is the much better fighter but the style thing here is bad for him IMO. At 126lbs Arguello was an absolute freak. Armstrong was too IMO. At 130lbs I don't think Arguello quite had that physical freakishness he had at Featherweight. :rofl:rofl