Alexis Argüello v Julio César Chávez @ 135lbs

Arguello wins a close decision in a battle.

 

At his weight class brother.
But it wasn't the power in his blows ( There have been quite a few harder punchers at heavyweight ) it was the combined totality of speed, timing, technique, plus power that made him lethal.
But pound for pound there's been many harder punchers.
J.Jackson, "Little Red" Lopez, T.Hearns , just to name a few.

 

Arguello edges Chavez in a very close, highly contested, bloody battle for the ages. Arguello's length and superior punching power helps him overcome Chavez's relentless pressure. Unlike Pryor, who was more unorthodox, wild, and faster, Chavez was more methodical with the way he came forward so that gives Arguello better opportunities to unleash his arsenal. I think this can go similar to the Frankie Randall fight and perhaps Chavez gets dropped by a well timed right hand in the process.

 

Robert U's post is picking up speed brother ... and I agree above

 

Arguello's way undersold in the voting.

 

Arguello boxes Chavez who is unable to get inside Arguello's jab. Chavez unable to land big punches to head or body and gets frustrated.

 

Comparing their relative performances against Castillo and Ramirez, I actually favor Chavez.

 

After checking and evaluating the different arguments made in this thread, I am picking Arguello by a whisker ... but I am not betting the house on him.

 

In fairness, Arguello faced Ramirez when Ramirez was on the up and Chavez got him on the way down. Plus, Arguello faced him in a fairly insignificant non-title fight while Chavez fought him in a unification.

 

We could say the same about Foreman going into the Ali fight after their relative efforts vs Frazier and Norton. The example must be about as extreme as one can find.

 

The major difference being that the styles were completely different. Norton and Frazier were attackers for the most part whereas Ali was a lightning fast tall, long boxer, who knew how to move and clinch.

Ramirez and Castillo were strong, solid, tough guys who generally remained in range and fought, and Chavez did it better than both, against both, than Arguello did.

 

True but Chris pointed out some solid intangibles regarding Ramirez. Some of them carry over to Castillo. It was more than half a decade later when Chavez fought Ruben and 2 years after Laporte easily outpointed him. Castillo wasn't rated at any weight when Julio beat him.

 

Good breakdown. Don't agree Chavez was weaker mentally as I attribute his late career durability slippage to drugs and 90 fights, but otherwise I'm on board.