boxer Alexis Arguello's death appears to be a suicide
Frank J.
Updated: July 1, 2009, 9:24 PM ET
Arguello's death reported as suicide
Associated Press
MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing's
most classic brawls and reigned supreme at 130 pounds, was found dead
at his home early Wednesday.
Coroners were conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Sandanista Party's Radio Ya and other local media were reporting it
appeared to be a suicide.
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Alexis Arguello was found dead Wednesday at 57. He is pictured in June
1981 after beating Jim Watt to win the WBC lightweight title.
The La Prensa newspaper reported that Arguello -- elected mayor of
Nicaragua's capital 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 Aaron Pryor and fights with
Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares.
"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 in 1992 into
the International Boxing Hall of Fame, where flags were flying at
half-staff in his honor Wednesday.
In 1999, a panel of experts assembled by the AP voted Arguello the
best junior lightweight and sixth-best lightweight of the 20th
century. Arguello never lost a fight at 130 pounds.
His popularity in his own country was so great that he carried the
flag for Nicaragua at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and led to his
decision to seek public office.
"Not only was he one of the greatest fighters I've ever seen, he was
the most intelligent fighter," Bob Arum, who promoted some of his
biggest fights, told the AP. "He was a ring tactician. Every move was
thought out. And he was a wonderful, wonderful person."
Arguello turned professional in 1968 and lost his first bout. He
didn't lose much after that, and six years later rallied to knock out
Olivares in the 13th round and win the featherweight title.
Arguello went on to win the super featherweight and lightweight
titles, his 5-foot-10 frame and long reach allowing him to move up in
weight without losing his tremendous punching power. At the time, he
was only the sixth boxer to win championships in three weight classes,
and was considered for a while the best pound-for-pound fighter in the
world.
"I felt sad receiving the news and still find it hard to believe,"
retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya said from Los Angeles. "Alexis 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."
De La Hoya said Arguello attended his fight against Steve Forbes in
May 2008, which was De La Hoya's last victory.
"We shared some great moments together before and after the fight," he
said. "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."
Arguello moved up in weight again in November 1982 to challenge Pryor
for the 140-pound belt, a fight billed as "Battle of the Champions,"
and tried to become the first fighter to win titles in four divisions.
More than 23,000 fans packed the Orange Bowl in Miami, and the two
waged an epic battle in which Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 14th
round.
This is a heartbreaking announcement. He was the champion of the poor,
an example of forgiveness and reconciliation.
-- Rosario Murillo, presidential spokeswoman
"It was a brutal, brutal fight," Arum said. "That was something I will
never, ever forget as long as I live. That was one of the most
memorable fights I ever did."
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.
A rematch was ordered and they met again a year later at Caesars
Palace in Las Vegas. This time, 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.
"Alexis Arguello was a first-class fighter and a first-class
gentleman," Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. "The
Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning the loss of a
great champion and friend."
Arguello fought against the Sandinista government in the 1980s after
it seized his property and bank account, but later joined the party
and ran for mayor of the capital last November. He defeated Eduardo
Montealegre, though opponents alleged the vote was fraudulent.
Arguello had returned Sunday from Puerto Rico, where he honored the
late baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente. His death
prompted Nicaragua president Daniel Ortega to announce he was
canceling a trip to Panama for the inauguration of president-elect
Ricardo Martinelli.
"We are upset," presidential spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said. "This
is a heartbreaking announcement. He was the champion of the poor, an
example of forgiveness and reconciliation."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
D. Flynn
Apparently he also came close to shooting himself a decade ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/columnists/gallo/index.html
Pap...@webtv.net
fighter, and a gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Shelly Kearns
>Hey guys; Long time boxing fan...this saddens me. He was a great
>fighter, and a gentleman. May he rest in peace.
>
People who commit suicide DON'T rest in peace. God doesn't approve
of it. Only HE decides when it is time for someone to come home to
him.
ne...@millions.com
Oberon
> On Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:14:47 GMT, shell...@aol.com (Shelly Kearns)
> wrote:
>
> >On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:56:36 -0400, Papw...@webtv.net wrote:
>
> >>Hey guys; Long time boxing fan...this saddens me. He was a great
> >>fighter, and a gentleman. May he rest in peace.
>
> >People who commit suicide DON'T rest in peace. God doesn't approve
> >of it. Only HE decides when it is time for someone to come home to
> >him.
>
> So you've been there?
>
> DCI
I was thinking more along the lines of "So, you've spoken with God
personally?" but I will agree with your comment, too.
ne...@millions.com
Athletes are prone to having bouts of deep depression. Depression is
very difficult to understand. A loss is a loss; however, for some,
possibly Alexis Arguello included, a loss is magnified greatly when
there are expectations that are unfulfilled. The rattling conflict of
losing a big event while fans show and express adoration.
As to any deity having some ruling over a person taking their own
life, to me that nothing more than BULLSHIT!
If there is a place called Heaven, Alexis Arguello entered through the
Pearly Gates deservedly. For all the things he contributed to his
homeland when others were fleeing, no rewards will be taken from him.
He stands high in the eyes of many people who benefitted from his
efforts in deed and financial support to resolve the deadly wars in
Nicaragua. He stood up and was counted when it came time to support
his country. He didn't run.
Alexis Arguello was a man of peace, even in the ring. A proud
gentleman always.
Just an opinion of an old man.
DCI
Walter Mitty
And he can do that by suggesting suicide to his flock. Easy enough.
--
I want to keep fighting because it is the only thing that keeps me out
of the hamburger joints. If I don't fight, I'll eat this planet.
-- George Foreman