Nicaraguan Alexis Arguello was not only an outstanding athlete, above average Latino fighters of his time, but also managed a successful political career in his native Nicaragua.
Today we commemorate 62 years of his birth in Managua. Of humble origin, he entered into the sport to become three-time world champion. He debuted in 1971, and in 1974 he won his first WBA featherweight belt by defeating Ruben “Puas” Olivares, and kept it until 1977.
In 1978 he won and lost the WBC super featherweight title and won it bak in 1979. Again, he failed twice with Aaron Pryor in 1982 and 1983 for the WBA.
He retired in 1995 with 88-8, 70 KO´s.
He was known by the nicknames of Flaco Explosivo, the Ring Gentleman and the champion of the people, he was inducted into de Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.
In 2008 he had the honor to be chosen as the standard bearer for his country to parade at the opening in Beijing Olympic Games.
He also succeeded in the political side. He was Deputy Mayor of Managua between 2005 and 2008, and later Mayor until 2009.
He died on July 1, 2009, according to official versions of the Nicaragua National Police, by suicide, in his home at the Residential “Pamplona” in Managua.
