Though he lost his two epic fights against the equally great Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor, Alexis Arguello place in boxing history has always been secure, and his lofty position as the greatest junior lightweight fighter ever by most boxing writers only demonstrates what kind of talent he was. In his remarkable 90-fight career, "The Explosive Thin Man" racked up an 82-8-0 record with 65 knockouts. A complete fighter with dynamite in both hands, Arguello waged wars with the best of his era, knocking out fellow greats Ruben Olivares and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, and besting Bazooka Limon. Ironically, however, it was his epic fights with Pryor which furthered his legend with the boxing public and those who were casual fight followers.

Undoubtedly, had a fight with the late great Salvador Sanchez occurred, it would have been as epic as Arguello's battles with Pryor. How would have the fight turned out? Who knows? Boxing fans were instantly deprived of this classic contest. But it never diminished what both accomplished, and in Arguello's case, only time would erode his skills. An equally remarkable man outside the ring, Arguello became a politician and recently elected mayor of his beloved Managua in Nicaragua. Charitable until the end of his life, he sought to build schools all over Nicaragua, perhaps in the hope that the city's children might get the education he so longed to have as a child himself, but as fate would have it growing up in the streets instead and having to fend off others to simply survive.

Sadly, the great Arguello apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest today. Perhaps some demons still surrounded him? Truly unfortunate, nevertheless. But he will be remembered by those who love the sweet science and the sport he gave his all to.

Rest in peace, champ.