RSSAlexis Arguello
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Lightweight Dream Fight: Alexis Arguello vs Ismael Laguna
The “Explosive Thin Man” Arguello, a champion in three weight classes versus the highly underrated “other” lightweight champion from Panama, Ismael Laguna. For all intents and purposes Alexis was at his best boxing at 130 pounds. When he was champion of that division he defeated Bobby Chacon, Boza Edwards, Rolando Navarette, and Bazooka Limon. All of who won the title after Alexis moved to 135 pounds. Arguello won the lightweight title from Jim Watt. His highest profile defense at this weight was his highly competitive knockout of future champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Alexis never lost any of his titles in the ring.
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Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Alexis Arguello-Julio Cesar Chavez
Dream fights... You hear and read about them all the time. How would Ali have done against Dempsey, Louis or Marciano? How would Roy Jones Jr. have fared against Bobby Foster? Could Bernard Hopkins hold his own with Marvelous Marv?
Interesting scenarios and I’m sure we all have our opinions. We as fans are entitled to these opinions. My how they differ. We will never know if Sugar Ray Robinson could have beat Sugar Ray Leonard or if Willie Pep could have outslicked Salvador Sanchez but damn it sure is fun to argue about it! With that said I’d like to venture into who would have won if Alexis Arguello and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez would have met at 130 pounds?
This would have pitted the dynamite punch of the “Explosive Thin Man” against the granite chin of Chavez. Make no mistake, Julio was one tough hombre. In his prime punches seemed to bounce off him like rubber balls. The fact is, he never faced a hitter like Arguello at that stage of his career. To many Arguello seemed stiff and wooden. Watch him, I mean really watch his fights. He was a master at positioning himself. He was always able to move himself into a position to counter. He was far from fast and flashy but he was economical in his movements. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to plant his power punches. During his era he ranked right up there with Bob Foster for pound for pound one punch kayo power.