Alexis Arguello vs Julio Cesar Chavez (135lbs)

Agree, Alexis also arguably lost to Ramirez.

 

Respectfully, I disagree. I think Taylor slowed down in rounds 10-12 because of work Chavez was doing throughout the fight. For example, Taylor's cheekbone was fractured in round 2.

I had Taylor ahead 8 rounds to 3 after 11 rounds, but those 8 rounds Taylor won were a Faustian bargain.

 

I'm chagrined to say so, but I pick Chavez here by close decision. By 135, Arguello had gotten just wooden enough and Chavez had the chin and strength enough to withstand the bombs that are certainly coming his way. His body attack and clever, seemingly effortless way of closing the distance will wear on the Nicaraguan and leave him wanting for answers late. This is every bit the Bridge Too Far that Pryor eventually proved to be.

 

Chavez at Jr. Lightweight was more of a BOXER! Yes in his title win over Martinez, and his 1st few defenses vs Castillo, Mayweather, Pratchett, and Barrios, Chavez actually STARTED boxing and moving in a circle before he went after those guys and THEN he started pursing. It wasn't until he fought Lockridge and LaPorte where he almost exclusively BOXED and rope-a-doped. He had really changed his style by then and it carried over to his title fights at Lightweight. Chavez did start the whole "seek and destroy" until his JW when he went after Mayweather (2nd fight). Even in his next title fights with Fuentes, Cortes, Taylor, and Ahn; he really didn't just go after these guys. He was really a boxer-puncher and until 1991 when guys started running from him and he started to get older. His style changed a la, Muhammad Ali when Ali got older and started being more flat footed as knees, back muscles and hips get older. Watch Chavez in 1991-1994. He got the "Tyson" disease of wanting to be a CROWD PLEASER and he did that well.

BUT, we're talking about the younger Chavez of the Jr Light & LW divisions. THAT's Chavez could finesse and then go after you, then coax you into coming after him so he could rope-a-dope you, and then he'd come back.

Now Arguello being "naturally" smaller (probably), yet 3" taller and 5" of reach... YES, DeLaHoya is basically the same height and reach, but DLH is a naturally bigger man and he was 20 years younger than Chavez! Ok, I'm accounting for the extra years that 90 fights put on Chavez, but JC had no chance vs a DHL at that time, AND DLH has a very different style.

So, this is NOT the "Boxer" Arguello vs the "Slugger" Chavez. If we're talking about the (PRIME) 25-28 year old (Best) Jr. Lightweight (of All Time) Champ, Argüello, who was a patient boxer-puncher vs the (GREEN) 22-24 year old (2nd best?) Jr. Lightweight Champ, JC Chavez who was a patient boxer-pressure fighter, than its a pick-em fight with the edge going to Arguello, but only slightly because if Vilomar Fernandez can outbox him at his BEST, this speaks alot. BUT, the (getting older) 29-31 year old Lightweight Champ (fighting in his 3rd division), Argüello, who was a slightly slowed boxer-puncher, who still carried a good amount of his power vs the (PRIME) 25-26 year old (at his best) Lightweight Champ, JC Chavez who was a patient boxer-pressure fighter, who was stronger and more powerful at this weight and still had a great defense, then Chavez probably wins by KO or stoppage.

Don't count out Argüello KO power at JLW or LW, but Chavez' chin and defense. Watch Chavez' fights at JLW & LW. He was NOT a face first brawler!

 

Commented on this back in 08. Taking Arguello now.

 

I think AA could win a decision but end up battered to hell and never be the same.