CANASTOTA, NY – JULY 1, 2009 –– The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of three-division world champion Alexis Arguello. He passed away today at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was 57.
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.
“Alexis Arguello was a first class fighter and a first class gentleman,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “’The Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning the loss of a great champion and friend.”
In 1992, Arguello was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.