Pryor reacts to Arguello's death
Former boxing great found shot to death at home
July 1, 2009, 2:35 p.m.
STAFF REPORT
Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing's most classic brawls with Cincinnati native Aaron Pryor, was found dead at his home early Wednesday.
Presidential spokeswoman Rosario Murillo confirmed Arguello's death and an autopsy was pending. The La Prensa newspaper reported the Arguello - elected mayor of Managua last year - was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The 57-year-old Arguello retired in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts and was a champion in three weight divisions. He was perhaps best known for two thrilling battles with Pryor.
"I'm kind of in a daze right now," Pryor told the Associated Press. "Those were great fights we had. This was a great champion."
Nicknamed "The Explosive Thin Man," Arguello was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
He never lost a fight at 130 pounds, and his popularity in his own country was so great that he carried the flag for Nicaragua at the Beijing Olympics.
Arguello was considered for a while the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He moved up in weight in November 1982 to challenge Pryor for the 140-pound belt, trying to become the first person to win titles in four divisions.
The two waged an epic battle at the Orange Bowl in Miami; Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 14th round.
The bout was named "Fight of the Year" and "Fight of the Decade" by Ring Magazine, but was shrouded by controversy. Pryor's trainer, Panama Lewis, gave him a water bottle after the 13th round that many believe contained an illegal substance - an accusation Pryor denies to this day.
They met again a year later at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 10th round.
Arguello was never the same fighter after losing to Pryor. He won a couple more fights, then was out of the ring from 1986 until 1994, when he made an ill-advised comeback. He retired for good the following year.