By Ryan Songalia
As word trickled down about the tragic passing of legendary boxer Alexis Arguello, so too did the praise and condolences from a community that had long revered him for the way he conducted himself in the ring as well as out of it.
Arguello, a national hero in his native Nicaragua, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot to the chest this morning. He was 57 years old. At the time Arguello was the mayor of his hometown of Managua, Nicaragua.
Arguello's career began inauspiciously in 1968, when he was stopped in the first round by Cachorro Amaya. He rebounded to have one of the sport's greatest careers, winning world titles in the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions. Among his top wins include Ruben Olivares, Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Cornelius Boza-Edwards. His career record was 82-8 (65 KO). He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
Of all his great performances, his defining fight came in defeat against Aaron Pryor when he challenged for a fourth world title in as many weight classes. The seesaw fight ended when Arguello was stopped in the 14th round of a brutal affair. The fight would earn acclaim by Ring Magazine as "The Fight of the 1980s".
Through his wife, Aaron Pryor Sr. released this statement to BoxingScene.com:
"Alexis Arguello and I shared a bond that began with that historic fight on November 12, 1982 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. That bond will never be broken. I had the honor to help my friend campaign when he was seeking political office and I always enjoyed our many visits and phone conversations throughout the years. I am deeply saddened by his passing. Boxing has lost one of the greatest champions to ever step in the ring."
Known as "El Flaco Explosivo", Arguello was ranked #20 all-time greatest puncher by Ring Magazine.