Six-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya mourns the tragic loss of the legendary Nicaraguan boxer, Alexis Arguello. The three-division former world champion and boxing icon was found dead Wednesday morning in his hometown of Managua, Nicaragua. De La Hoya shared several fond memories with the pride of Nicaragua, known as the “Explosive Thin Man” for his slim figure and powerful punch and was shocked to hear the tragic news about the man many considered to be a gentleman both in and out of the ring..
De La Hoya commented, “I felt sad receiving the news and still find it hard to believe. Alexis [Arguello] was my idol. When I was young, I heard so much about him and his fights and loved his style in the ring. In my opinion he was of the biggest and most influential fighters boxing has ever produced. I remember he came to my fight against Steve Forbes and we shared some great moments together before and after the fight. Arguello was definitely a legend in the boxing world because of all the joy he brought to his fans with his unforgettable career and amazing personality.”
MOURNING FOR THE PASSING AWAY OF THE GREAT ALEXIS ARGUELLO
From WBC President José Sulaimán: The World Boxing Council declares today, July 1, a day of world mourning due to the tragic passing away of our former champion and International Ambassador, Alexis Arguello, who passed away in his hometown of Managua, Nicaragua.
Arguello was paid an extraordinary homage by the WBC at the United Nations in New York in 1983, when the 20th anniversary of our organization was held. Subsequently in Las Vegas, he was inducted into the WBC Hall of Fame, together with 20 of the greatest champions of our organization.
Alexis was featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight champion, and was named our International Ambassador when he visited Cancun during the Night of Champions, which was attended by 96 world champions.
Alexis was a great personal friend of mine, and we had frequent communication.
The Nicaraguan superstar is, without a doubt, absolutely one of the greatest Latin American fighters and world champions of all times.
He is also recalled as an exemplary person who fell into the clutches of drugs, just to rise as the great champion he was and show himself as an example, and obtained the Mayoralty of his beloved Managua.
The people of boxing will miss him very much, as much as I will.
In the ring, Alexis was a tremendous puncher, a brave fighter like only a few have been. He fought from 1968 to 1995, and in that span he won 64 times by knockout, 16 by points, and lost only eight of his bouts.
May such a great fighter rest in peace !!
Bob Arum Statement on Passing of Alexis Arguello
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 1, 2009) – BOB ARUM, CEO of Top Rank, issued the following statement after hearing the news on the passing of three-division world champion and 1992 International Boxing Hall of Fame member ALEXIS ARGUELLO: “We at Top Rank are very saddened to learn about the death of Alexis Arguello. Alexis was one of the world’s greatest fighters and champions. More importantly, he was a real man, a true gentleman and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed”
From the International Boxing Hall of Fame: “A native of Managua, Nicaragua, Arguello held the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight titles. Known as “The Explosive Thin Man,” Arguello was a brilliant offensive fighter and a master tactician. He compiled an 82-8 (65KOs) record that includes wins over Jose Legra, Art Hafey, Alfredo Escalera, Rafael Limon, Ruben Castillo, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Jim Watt, Ruben Olivares, Ray Mancini and Bobby Chacon. In 1982 and 1983, he engaged in two pitched battles for fellow Hall of Famer Aaron Pryor’s junior welterweight championship, with Pryor registering kayo wins in the 14th and 10th round respectively. He retired in 1986, but returned to the ring for two fights in 1994 and 1995 before hanging up the gloves. In 2008, Arguello was elected mayor of Managua.”