Latino Wars! Roberto Duran versus Alexis Arguello Lightweight Dream Fight
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Roberto Duran of Panama and Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua would have been a mega blockbuster of a lightweight bout if it had actually happened. The bout would have been on equal par with Marvelous Marvin Hagler versus Sugar Ray Leonard, Hagler versus Thomas Hearns, Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Saul Canelo Alvarez, so on and so forth.
The key to this matchup has to do with the degree of confidence and level of ring generalship at the super fighter level. Duran just had spectacular confidence. Arguello was a high IQ fighter with speed, power and technical abilities better than 95% of the rest. However, it would not have been enough to survive Duran, for the same reason Edwin Valero would have taken out Manny Pacquiao had Valero’s dream fight ever been realized.
Arguello would have won some rounds behind his jabbing prowess and technical skill. In the end, though, this reporter picks Duran by knockout in nine rounds, in an ending similar to Aaron Pryor versus Alexis Arguello II. Duran knew how to apply pressure, punch and counterpunch, and had contempt and disrespect for his opponents. I do think Arguello would have outpointed Esteban DeJesus, but not Duran. The analogy is Duran was simply brilliant at 135 pounds. Arguello was decked by Jose Luis Ramirez, who he beat by split decision, and still lost to Vilomar Fernandez before defeating him in a rematch. An aging Arguello was even outpointed by Scott Walker. Duran had no luck with Hagler, Hearns. Benitez or Joppy at the higher weights, though he did beat Davey Moore.
In the lower weights, Duran was just sensational. Arguello could handle, but he would have to be proficient enough to outpoint Duran over 15 rounds at 135 pounds, an unlikely possibility. Duran was never a quitter, only a car accident ended his career. Arguello never regained his hunger and passion for boxing after losing twice to Aaron Pryor, though he did beat Billy Costello. Largely inactive after the Pryor losses, Arguello did not have his heart in boxing. The 135-pound division is a ruthless one, where mediocre won’t do. Duran left his mark on the 135-pound division, while Arguello was just passing through. At 135 pounds, Duran was at his brilliant best. Arguello even got decked by Andrew Ganigan at 135 pounds. Duran was both wild and cunning, a refined street fighter with a will to win few could equal in the lower weights. While Arguello won titles in at least four divisions,
Duran was the sort of warrior whose boxing style Arguello simply would never have been able to handle. Arguello could never go 15 rounds with a punching monster like Duran.
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