was 57.
The newspaper El Nuevo Diario reported that Arguello's death appeared to be a suicide.
Deaths in Sports
Alexis Arguello, July 1: The former boxing champion, pictured here in 1986, was one of the best junior lightweights to step in the ring. Arguello was found dead at his home early Wednesday. Click through to see recent deaths in the world of sports.
Allsport / Getty Images
Bob Frederick, June 12: The former Kansas Athletic Director died from head injuries suffered in a bicycle accident.
Jeff Jacobsen, Kansas Athletics / AP
Richard Quick, June 10: The swimming coach won 13 NCAA titles with three schools during a career that spanned four decades.
Ted S. Warren, AP
Pio Sagapolutele, June 7: Sagapolutele, who played for three teams over a seven-year NFL career and was a member of New England's Super Bowl XXXI team, passed away at the age of 39.
J.D. Cuban, Getty Images
Jim Owens, June 6: The former University of Washington football coach had an 18-year career, including three Rose Bowl trips. Owens weathered accusations of racism in 1969 for suspending four black players who declined to pledge loyalty.
John Lok, Seattle Times / MCT
Randy Smith, June 4: The MVP of the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, seen here with the Buffalo Braves in 1976, played in 906 straight games from 1972 to 1983.
Dick Raphael, NBAE/Getty Images
Richard Jacobs, June 5: The real estate developer bought the Cleveland Indians with his brother in 1986. He restored profitability to the struggling franchise and made it competitive on the field during the 1990s.
Mark Duncan, AP
Karine Ruby, May 29: The six-time world champion won a gold medal in the giant slalom at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
Boris Horvat, AFP / Getty Images
Peter Zezel, May 26: The former NHL center, seen here in 2000 with the Vancouver Canucks, had a role in the 1986 hockey movie 'Youngblood.' Zezel struggled with a rare blood disease the last 10 years.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Julius Bescos, May 23: Bescos lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Southern California and later coached at his alma mater.
USC Sports Information
Arguello's boxing career began in Managua in the 1960s, and he quickly built up an impressive record and a reputation for knocking out his opponents. His first fight outside Nicaragua was for the WBA featherweight title in 1974, and although he lost that fight, he got a second shot and won the title later that year.
Through the 1970s Arguello was considered one of the best boxers in the world. His most memorable matches of the decade were his two fights with Alfredo Escalera, both of which Arguello won. The first Arguello-Escalara fight, known as the Bloody Battle of Bayamon, took place on January 28, 1978, and ended in the 13th round when Escalara couldn't continue because of cuts. Their rematch took place on February 4, 1979, with Arguello knocking Escalara out, again in the 13th round.
Arguello had two memorable fights with Aaron Pryor in the 1980s, losing the first in 1982 and announcing his retirement after losing the second in 1983, but he would return to the ring and win another fight in 1985 and then one more in 1986. He then announced his retirement once again, only to return in 1994 and finally retire for good after losing a fight to Scott Walker in 1995, at the age of 42.
Arguello was considered one of the hardest punchers in history; here's one of his best-known highlights, a knockout of Kevin Rooney in 1982:
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Comments (Page 1 of 7)
One of my mos favorite fighters ever. A true gentleman. May GOD have mercy on his soul.
well said. he fought in an era when boxing was just that, boxing. no glitz. just fight.
An outstanding fighter. A gentleman both on and off the ring. One of the few boxing greats known for his charisma, and modesty. No flash, just business. An example for others to follow.
I concur. He was a killer in the ring and a true gentleman outside of it. An unusual combination of speed and power for a man his size. RIP, Alexis.
i feal the same - gentleman, class act,great fighter one of my favorites of all time
The best tactical boxer that ever lived!
uhm no he was not the best tactical boxer might be floyd mayweather but Arguello is a colose second im shocked this has been a helluva two weeks we are losing legends
My, how soon we forget Ali
Ali was not the best tactical fighter, he was great to the untrained boxer. If you know boxing you know that Arguello was a great tactician
Damn, this is so very sad. Alexis Arguello, gone. He was such a kind and gentle human being and one of the best fighters I've ever seen. In spanish he was called "The Explosive Thin Man" because he hit so hard. One of my favorite fights was when he beat up Alfredo Escalera.
Even though I liked Escalera, when Escalera fought Tyrone Everett here in Philly, the judges robbed Ty Everett. After that I wanted someone to twist Escalera's cap back. Arguello did it, twice.
I hope that he goes to heaven even though he took his own life. It had to be something very troubling and painful to make this humble man commit suicide. He was a killer in the ring but, an angel in life. Rest in peace my brother.
Nubian,
Just thought you might like to know that I worked with Alexis in TV and knew him pretty well. What you said about him is absolutely true. He was a great fighter but also a very kind
person with a great heart. He will be missed.
Bob
Great fighter. RIP
Damn, he was one of my all time favorites, if not my #1. Great fighter in a time when the quality of the competition was so, so much better than today. Class guy too.
he will be missed rip
great fighter, true gentlemen and he will be missed.
What a fighter. He was a true Champion and a true Person in life. Life can be so hard at times. R.I.P.
He truly was a great fighter and a wonderful person. My God bless him
RIP
Great Fighter; Great Person!
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Arguello at this years' IBF convention in Panama City, Panama. I told him that I admired him so much that I gave a middle name to my second oldest son who is 24 years old now after him. He was a true gentleman and icon to the sport of boxing. He will be truly missed not only to boxing but to his country as well (Mayor). I eddie Claudio profesional boxing referee from New York City will like to thank the champ for all those memorable fights he gave us and may God bless your soul.