Olivares or Arguello - Who Was Greater?

I really can't split them in terms of ability.

 

Great thread, Russell! Like my friend McVey, I couldn't decide. Very provocative

 

Pound-For-Pound, I think that Ruben Olivares was a greater fighter than Alexis Arguello. Olivares, a fairly short fighter and a natural bantamweight, gave Arguello, a very tall featherweight, fits before being stopped in a late round. Also keep in mind that Olivares was past his peak while Arguello was in his prime at the time.

During his prime years, Olivares who was a tremendous offensive machine with terrific punching power, a fact which overshadowed his fine boxing skills. He literally dominated the bantamweight division at a time when there were a number of other fine fighters at that weight. But Olivares did have a tendency to not keep his nose to the grindstone when it came to training.

Olivares was a more versatile fighter than another dominant Mexican bantamweight, the much taller Carlos Zarate. Like Oliveras, Zarate was a terrific offensive fighter with lots of punching power. Zarate also was a far more dedicated fighter than Olivares. But Zarate was cruelly exposed when Wilfredo Gomez absolutely demolished him. Zarate simply could not cope with Gomez. During his prime, Olivares was never overwhelmed in that manner unless he neglected his training.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Arquello's real prime probably started at Superfeather. Review those two bloodbaths with grossly underrated Alfredo Escalera for the WBC title. Arquello took away Escalera's title in Escalera's home country of Puerto Rico....and was professional enough to give Alfredo a rematch later in Italy.

 

Arguello has the edge in my book

 

I love Arguello. I don't think he was better than Olivares but I'll five him the edge based on how much I like the look of him on footage.

 

There's not a massive amount between them but, I'd go with Arguello. His meaningful career lasted longer, over a similar shift upwards in weight, with relatively more success.

Olivares, in some respects, could be considered the light that burned twice as bright but half as long.

 

I can watch Arguello fights all day

 

Escalera was tough as hell in those fights and had the heart of a lion. Big fan of Escalera

 

Spot on. Every word.

 

X2. Arguello even via defeat in Pryor 1 (and tainted it may have been!) was utterly magnificent. Amazing fighter. Alexis also beat Olivares H2H and with Olivares past his best and up in weight and Arguello prior to his best and under his best weight it has to count for a little in the overall sum of parts. Alexis has a very impressive list of victims, particularly at 130. Limon, Chacon, Boza and Navarrete all did some very good work post Arguello beatings.

I definitely have Alexis.

 

I love Arguello...but if Olivares had been a natural lightweight...he would have been illegal...

 

In that case he would have been illegal at Bantam too. Arguello i would call a natural 130.

 

I think he was actually (at Bantam) Yes on Arguello.