Alexis Arguello: The definition of greatness in boxing

Alexis Arguello defined greatness in boxing

By Matthew Aguilar / Special to the Times



The obituaries have mostly celebrated Alexis Arguello's epic brawl with Aaron Pryor. And there's nothing wrong with that. The "Battle of Champions" -- fought in the Orange Bowl on Nov. 12, 1982 -- is worthy of the accolades. Those who saw it will never forget it.

But, somehow, it's not fitting to remember Arguello unconscious and beaten -- knocked out for what would be just four times in 90 professional fights. It's not fitting because Arguello, who died Wednesday in his native Managua, Nicaragua, from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound, was the embodiment of a winner.

El Flaco Explosivo finished with a record of 82-8 (65 knockouts). He won world titles in three weight divisions, beat the best fighters of an extraordinary era, and was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

So while the Pryor fight was great -- it wasn't as great as Arguello was a fighter.

A who's who
Arguello's résumé reads like a who's who of 1970s and 80s world champions: Ruben Olivares (KO 14), Royal Kabayashi (KO 5), Alfredo Escalara (TKO 13, KO 13), Bazooka Limon (TKO 11), Bobby Chacon (TKO 7), Ruben Castillo (TKO 11), Rolando Navarette (TKO 5), Cornelius Boza-Edwards (TKO 8), Jose Luis Ramirez (W 10), Jim Watt (W 15), Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini (TKO 14), and Bill Costello (TKO 4).

He was as powerful as he was technically proficient, setting up his opponents with the patience of a saint and the precision of a surgeon. At 5-foot-10, Arguello was abnormally tall for a featherweight/junior lightweight, and many of his opponents made the mistake of trying to force their way to the inside to attack his thin torso.


That's when they tasted Flaco's amazing punching power -- as he used height and reach and long legs to produce incredible leverage.
But his power also came in his textbook form.

"There is no hatred in Alexis Arguello's eyes," actor Edward James Olmos said in the documentary, "Champions Forever: The Latin Legends." "His are the eyes of an artist, not a fighter. Watching Arguello fight is like enjoying the subtleties of a great Renaissance masterpiece."

Regarded as a quality world champion before the Mancini fight, Arguello won over American television audiences after knocking "Boom Boom" out. He praised Mancini's gallant effort, but he also acknowledged the American's desire to win a world championship for his father, Lenny, whose own boxing career was cut short by World War II.

Arguello told Mancini: "I love your father. That's the most beautiful thing you have. And if I can do something for you, let me know."

Greatness defined
Arguello backed Contra rebels in the 1980s after Sandinista revolutionaries seized his bank accounts and homes in Managua. He did not return to live in Nicaragua until 1990. Fifteen years later, he became vice mayor of Managua on the same Sandinista ticket that he once opposed. He became mayor in November.

But Arguello always was haunted by demons. He admitted in a Sports Illustrated article 25 years ago that he had contemplated suicide. He struggled with drug and alcohol problems after his retirement -- a fact that was almost shocking, considering his work ethic, dedication to fitness and gentlemanly demeanor.
But, whatever his failures, Arguello made up for them in kindness and compassion. In boxing circles, he is greatness defined. In human terms, he was even better than that. R.I.P., El Flaco Explosivo. You will be missed.