Willie Pep vs Alexis Arguello

Bad matchup for Arguello. It's possible he could've caught Pep I guess but I consider it unlikely. Pep by decision. 11-4.

 

Alexis had some real problems with slick boxers, and there is none slicker than Willie. Bar a freak knockout, which could happen, I would say Pep wins comfortably on the cards.

 

This is a pretty bad matchup for Arguello, unless his expert timing sees him land a wonder shot Pep is all over him with angles Arguello cannot time right, and slick enough not to lose rounds and get hurt.

 

Obviously there's comparisons with Sandy Saddler, both being tall and rangy at the weight and very hard hitting. I think a prime Pep though pre-Saddler takes a comfortable decision.

 

I do.

 

I don't, but Saddler was more fluid. Arguello was more robotic but what he lacked in handspeed he made up for in precision, timing and variety.

IMO he's the best puncher in the history of boxing. two fisted power with great variety in punches, Saddler was a bludgeoning hitter but Arguello was a puncher who would literally decimate his opponents. Even if he wasn't knocking you out he was damaging you (Escalera 1) and could hurt even the toughest of chins (Limon, Pryor) his punching form was IMO the best ever (though a certain Heavyweight Arguello admired and studied may have that claim)

I say Arguello is the better fighter than Saddler overall.

 

See, I don't agree with that. Arguello turned his punches over perfectly and could knock you out with either uppercut, the left hook or the straight right. His left hook to the body was ferocious as well.

Then again, I'm not that 'up' on Saddler, as a poster I respect maybe you can give me some indications of why you perceive Saddler to be better? Not AT ALL being cheeky, eager to learn:good

 

I'm not sure if I'd call Saddler "fluid" but he certainly had the style to beat Willie, more so than Arguello.

 

Pep was at his best at FWT (in fact, thee best FWT who ever did it), Arguello was good at 126 but peaked at 130, I see Pep completely boxing Arguello`s ass off TBH, Alexis was very slow for an elite ATG (he made up for it in other ways no doubt) & Willie was very fast & as slick as they come.

Its possible Arguello can pressure Pep into a war but I doubt it, Willie would be on the move, slipping, spinning, using that left jab & sticking & moving in & out, a few combinations threw in for good measure.

Pep W15 UD Arguello