I have just watched Ernesto Marcel beating Alexis Arguello over 15 rounds. Marcel looked great in that fight, but then he retired. Can anyone tell why he retired?
According to Beloved Warrior, the Arguello Bio he had made a promise to his mother to retire with his faculties intact and he didn't need to fight anymore. He had a 150000 dollar offer to fight Spider Nemoto in Japan but turned it down. He admitted to missing the fame though.
Thanks for the info. Nice to see a boxer going out while on the top - and not comming back to be beaten by a younger man, who could not have touched him when he was in his prime.
Al, I never knew there was an offer for a rematch with Nemoto. Anyone who would put on that rematch or sanction it (which we all know the WBA would) is a sadist. There was nothing remotely competitive about their 1973 match. It's amazing some of the fighters that received title shots over the years, let alone rematches while others more deserving rotted on the vine. The WBA was always so Orient/South African/Venezuelan friendly that many of their fighters who would not be in anyones top ten received title shots without beating anyone of note.
Yes, just had a look at his record leading up to the Marcel fight. How did he get a rating?? Out of 14 fights, 7 against debutants he'd only won 10. I see he had a win though over Ushiwakamaru Harada, brother of Masahiko. He had mixed in good company but was no way a contender at that time. Interestingly I noticed Ushi had a draw in Japan with Chucho Castillo. The two Japanese judges scored it a draw while the American Nicky scored it clearly for Castillo. These were the same judges for my dad's challenge to Fighting Harada. In that one the two Japanese scored it clearly to Harada while Nicky Pope only had 2 points in it at the end of 15, a more realistic score. Just shows you how tough it was to get a decision in Japan. Chances are that if Marcel had taken that rematch with Nemoto in Japan and the fight went the distance Nemoto might of been scored the winner.
Al, although this has nothing to do with the subject matter, it does with your last post. I recently watched the first fight between Hiroshi Kobayashi and Antonio Amaya which took place in Japan and with 3 Japanese judges. Man, what a robbery! I had Amaya a 70-65 winner only for Kobayashi to take the decision. You could not get a break in Japan. Here was what I wrote on the subject. Round 1: 5-4 Amaya Round 2: 5-4 Amaya Round 3: 5-4 Amaya Round 4: 5-4 Amaya Round 5: 5-4 Kobayashi Round 6: 5-4 Amaya Round 7: 5-4 Kobayashi Round 8: 5-4 Kobayashi Round 9: 5-4 Amaya Round 10: 5-4 Amaya Round 11: 5-4 Amaya Round 12: 5-4 Amaya Round 13: 5-4 Kobayshi Round 14: 5-4 Kobayshi Round 15: 5-4 Amaya Total: 70-65 Amaya In actuality, Kobayshi retained his title on a 15 round split decision, which was deplorable. Amaya, who fights like Laguna or Luis Rodriguez, really controlled the fight whereas Kobayshi only fought in spurts. And to tell you the truth, I think I gave him the 5th and 7th out of pity. I really think they were more even rounds. But Kobayshi benefitted from 3 Japanese judges rather than neutral judges (the one judge who voted for Amaya scored it 3-1-11. How's that for fence-sitting?). Amaya had every right to be pissed, although his manager voiced his opinion rather than the fighter. Because he was robbed!!!!
