Obviously Sanchez and Nelson fought but Nelson was a couple of years away from his championship best and would become a great featherweight in his own right several years later. So who wins a round robin out of the three of them in their respective Featherweight primes?
For the sake of clarity, I’ll assume they fight each opponent in a best of 3 with the following results: Sanchez beats both fighters twice in a row, for a 4-0 record. Nelson loses the first fight to Arguello, but wins the 2nd and 3rd. Great matchups all around. I’m certain about the outcomes with Sanchez, but not as sure about Nelson vs Arguello.
My opinion is Sanchez, over all skill level, great feet, fantastic chin. Arguello, explosive puncher, tall for the weight,great skills, but his problem with Sanchez would be the foot speed difference. Nelson though he was green when he fought Sanchez, still in my opinion was just a shade not as good as the other two. And if their's anyone other then Sanchez who could've stopped him by ko. It would be Arguello.
Sanchez hand speed and work rate is a problem for Arguello but Arguello's arsenal and power might be a problem for Sanchez ... This is the fight for me .. As I think both would best Nelson.. I'm going with Arguello over the '81 fighter of the year ... and its a shame they just missed each other
I think both Sanchez and Arguello beat Nelson prime for prime I think Sanchez would win a close decision over Arguello. Sanchez would be a little busier and would take Arguello's power shots.
Aguello was not his best at Featherweight. When he moved to Jr. Lightweight was when he began to become a real beast.
Arguello was way behind in the Olivares fight. Ruben hangs on for 1-1/2 rounds more and easily wins fight and defends his title. Arguelo's previous shot at the FW title, he was outpointed by 4-6 points losing a UD to Ernesto Marcel: "Panama's Ernesto Marcel retained his WBA featherweight title Saturday by a unanimous decision over challenger Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua. In the early and late rounds Arguello moved forward with his longer reach while Marcel dealt left and right hooks that sent the Nicaraguan's long hair flying. Arguello took so many punches in the 7th round that Referee Sergio Tulio Lay went to his corner after the round and asked him if he wanted to continue." -Associated Press"
