Two very tall and heavy-handed boxers with great chins meeting in their primes at both 126lbs and 130lbs. 15 rounds. I pick Arguello at both weights, either a UD or very late stoppage.
Saddler for me,I think he is a bit craftier than Alexis and just as strong,at featherweight Sandy had few peers.
Saddler has a better chin, also, in my opinion. He was also a complete ******* with the ability to break the rules and get away with it unlike few others.
Arguello was the better boxer, though they had similar power in my opinion. Saddler was not a very good outboxer, he posessed really nothing more than a long jab to make his way inside where he did his real work. On the inside, Arguello was also a skilled, crafty fighter with good power still, but Saddler was better on the inside due to his ability to tie his opponents up while still managing to brutalize the opponent with body and head shots. His long arms played a large part in that. While I think Saddler would leave himself open against someone like Arguello when wading in like that, I think he had an exceptional chin, and would get the better of the two men in close. Arguello would probably find a home for his timed right hands though. Hard fight to call, one I've thought about before.
Good analysis Pea, I too think Arguello the better boxer, but on the inside, the slight advantage must be given to Saddler on the strength of well, what is really the dirty stuff. I think it's easier for most people to pick Arguello, because of the more modern looking film of him (not that the classic forum will be golled by such!!!), but people have been pointing out to me lately that if one usually went to Sandy, they would be, as you said, tied up and batterred relentlessly. And though Arguello was a very capable boxer, he was a warrior who luvd 2 fight. Im very tempted to say Arguello at 130 and Saddler at 126, but thats a kop-out, so i'll say Saddler stops him late after one of the finest. Not sure though.
I think Saddler as well. His chin seems slightly better and it would suit him if it went to the trenches which im sure it would!! Read interesting article about Saddler were archie moore said if he would've started training him at the start of his career he could've been the GOAT!
Rough & tough fights. Arguello wins 2 of 3 from Saddler...but both might not be the same after that series.
Saddler is too strong at 126 for a green Arguello.Arguello will land some good, telling shots, but for the most part he'll be getting mauled. Saddler would stop him late imo. At 130, Arguello really came into his own and gave his career best performances. Saddler only ever really used 130 as a weight to have non-title fights at. If Saddler set himself the task of toppling Arguello at 130 though, I'm sure he'd put up a great effort, probably just falling short of taking it. Arguello's ability to control the fight at a distance and his ability to absorb shots on the inside will hold him in good stead as he takes a 7-6-2 type of decision.
Great match up. I think Saddler was a bit better, maybe not in power, but in the durability, and guts. Saddler was p4p one of the toughest skilled guys ever. I think he would win the last 3rd of the fight, and take a decison.
Arguello was notorious for stepping up his game in the championship rounds. I see Saddler dominating early because Alexis was a slow starter, with Arguello rallying back towards the end. In terms of a decision, I couldn't give you one. I don't know too much about Saddler.
Certainly not. He was in really tough fights with Escalera and Pryor. It is credit to Alex's determination that he lasted as long as he did, getting hit with right hands for 13 straight rounds. He really wanted that fight. Not to mention wanting the rematch to avenge the loss for his people. Alexis was a fearless champion.
