140: Alexis Arguello vs. Wilfred Benitez

Who and how?

 

Wilfred was still a child basically when campaigning at 140. Arguello was post-peak just a bit … I think he topped out at lightweight and was at his best at 130.

I’ll go with Benitez being the naturally bigger guy and just a bit too slick. Interesting matchup.

 

Benitez by decision i think his style would befuddle Arguello.

 

An Interesting match-up. One not usually discussed on this site.
Benitez was a pup at this weight, Arguello past his
prime. Though not as past it as some like to exaggerate,
to discredit Pryor( Along with the "magic bottle".)
Their measurements were very similar.
Both men were 5'10" Arguello had a slightly
longer reach, believe it or not though he was
naturally a smaller man in weight class.
I like Benitez by unanimous decision in a
12 or 15 rd fight.
His natural size advantages and favorable
stylistic match-up should carry him to the win.
He'd have a few scary moments , but not
enough to convince anyone the fight is
close.

 

For all his brilliance, Arguello was a tad one paced, and if Vilomar Fernandez had the tools to post a win over him, then a peak Benitez would I suggest be able to do the same, Wilfred by UD.
Stay safe guys.

 

Benitez UD.

 

If Arguello didn't have all the money he had invested in Nicaragua stolen by the communists it is very possible that he would not have fought at 140, almost guaranteed that the 2nd Pryor fight would never have happened. The first Pryor fight was the last little bit of Arguello that there was left; the fight with Costello is a fine film to study if you want to see a shot fighter. Arguello got very lucky that Costello decided to get hit with a right hand when Alexis threw the one good one he had left.
Arguello was a better fighter than Benitez but, by the time he got to 140, Arguello was fighting on intelligence and a right hand. That was enough to beat Rooney- a much better trainer than fighter and not that good of a trainer- and to barely beat Costello.

 

I watched that Arguello-Costello fight earlier this year (I think that’s when) and Costello dominated him and then suddenly hit a wall for some reason and AA took him out. Arguello was a shell by that point … but a lethal one if the got the right home.

Problem is, hitting Benitez at this stage of his career with a right hand is like trying to catch a fly with chopsticks.

 

Benitez by UD. Even here, he had enough to deal with Arguello.

 

Great match up. Benitez is much faster and slicker but Arguello carried the punch. 15 Rounds Arguello finds him at some point.
10/12 rounds Benitez too slick and survives so scary moments and wins a wide decision.

 

Benitez style doesn't let guys do their magic,,,, like he did with Duran he would do to Arguello..

 

Arguello is so much smaller, so much better but also totally shot.

 

Arguello had been eying off that fourth world title for quite some time. It was how he rolled. I've never seen anything about it being for the money. Once he'd lost the pride in him wanted another go. Arguello was near the end of his prime but he was still fighting at a very respectable level and no-one was saying he was shot or close to it. Pryor actually had to get past numerous hellacious shots both to the head and body, shots that could still spark Costello years later even when shot. It was an awesome effort and Arguello would have beaten many a fine fighter that night. How Pryor took some of those shots the way he did i will never know as Arguello showed he could still BANG even that high in the weights.

The fight with Costello was 2 1/2 years after the Pryor rematch and that period also included 2 years out of boxing. Absolutely he was shot by the time he fought Billy. The first loss to Pryor was absolutely brutal and pretty tough to take at that career stage. He was out for a long time at the end of a very grueling bout at a late career stage. He left his prime in the ring that night.

 

Honestly i wonder if Pryor would of even beaten Arguello the 1st time without "black bottle". The right hand in 13th round would of KO'ed anyone else. I guess we'll never know but the fight always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

But i do agree Arguello was certainly not shot in 1st Pryor fight, he would of beaten plenty of top Jr Welterweights based on that performance. Its just he was up against one of the toughest 140 pound fighters ever, who even then had a mysterious "substance" to help him over the line.

 

This is how I look at it. Alexis would get bedazzled by El Radar's movement and skill.


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