In a way, Arguello could be considered unlucky during his career as few mainstream sports fans had ever heard of him before his losing efforts to Pryor. That'as a shame, because the sun was already setting on a HOF career by then, and he was arguably the best ever in a given weight class (130). Tough break there. Compounding this problem was the bad timing of two proposed superfights in the late 70's- early 80's. In the late 1970's Arguello was rumored to set up to challenge Roberto Duran for Duran's lightweight crown, as he himself was to move up from 130. Of course, Duran was already on the move up the scales, and vacated his title before Alexis could make the challenge. When Arguello was later the lightweight titlist, there was vague talk of Salvador Sanchez moving up from featherweight to challenge him. This of course never happened as by the time the rumors and talk reached their height, Sanchez was killed. Which fight do you see being the better for Arguello, and how do you see each playing out? While I think Duran might be a bit overrated at lightweight, he DID rise to challenges, and Arguello represented his sternest test to date. I think Duran's ability to move inside without getting hit would befuddle the slower Nicaraguan, and he would batter him to the head and body, stopping Arguello sometime around the 12th round. All in all, I think Arguello was just a tad wooden and past it at 135, though in his case I think it speaks more to time and years than a simple additional five pounds. Stylistically, one might try to draw parallels between how Sanchez fought Lopez and how he would fight Arguello. I think that type of fight is his best approach, moving side to side, showing the jab, countering and slipping away. Arguello would be hard pressed to stay with the Sanchez that fought Lopez. It's a lot to assume, however, that Sanchez could have carried the extra 7-9 pounds he would put on for that fight. Never a huge puncher at 126 and hitting still bigger men at 135, his power would most likely be lessened with the weight climb. His movement and slipperiness might also well suffer. Nine pounds is a hell of a lot for a man of that size, and it doesn't make sense to simply anoint Sanchez with having the exact same skillset he had at 126. As suxch, with so many questions regarding the Mexican's ability to move up with so much intact, I have to pick Arguello in a hard-fought 15-round decision, perhaps even a late stoppage.
Vs Sanchez would definitely have been the more winnable fight for him. main reason being questions over Sanchez' effectiveness at lightweight Height\reach advantage, probably strength too. would be much more likely to take Sanchez' power comfortably at 135 than he would take Duran's and he'll be getting hit by both semi-regularly at least. Sal was a lot easier to hit with textbook punches than Duran was. I think i'd bet on Alexis to win competitively against Sanchez at 135.Sal losing a couple notches of physical ability by moving up is found to be just a bit too hittable and not quite enough of a puncher for me.I can't see Sanchez landing enough shots to win a decision if he fights like he did vs Lopez, but it's hard to say with Arguello and someone with educated movement....i wouldn't pick him over Sanchez in a 10 round non-title bout, those really weren't his game and he was beatable there.Over 15 though i think the Arguello that took on movers like castillo, Hernandez, Marcel and Olivares is more likely to show up and that should be enough for a close win.Allowing for him not being quite as good\athletic as he was in those bouts and Sanchez losing a bit by moving up. If my gut feeling on how Sal would have changed in moving up is wrong and he loses next to nothing then Arguello could be in trouble.Best against Best Alexis would prefer to be in his late 126\130 prime.
Duran knocks him out, he beasts all over Sal. Actually Duran wanted the Arguello fight and they had it ready if Arguello could beat a lightweight contender. Alexis chose a former Duran victim named Vilomar Fernandez.
Vilomar NEVER beat Arguello. that was not boxing. all he did was run and the Puerto Rican crowd influenced the judges I gave Arguello the decision
I would bet on Sanchez to be honest, but it would be a clsoe fight, in my mind there is no doubt about that.... Agree that Duran would beat Arguello.....
I disagree with the OP's premise that not many people know who Arguello was before the Pryor fights -- he was as much or more the draw for those fights than Pryor. His win over Mancini was probably watched by more people, including a lot of casual fans, than any two of Pryor's, um, prior fights. Many of his other fights were televised in the U.S. and he was well known. I find Arguello-Sanchez at featherweight much more intriguing than projecting whether Sal Sanchez would have carried himself at lightweight. We have no idea what Sanchez would have looked like at 135, but we know what both guys looked like at feather. And while he was still formidable, Arguello above 130 pounds is post-peak. I say Sal outboxes Arguello over 15 in a very competitive, close fight for a UD. I also say Duran batters Arguello at lightweight.
