Pernell Whitaker(1990)v Alexis Arguello 1980,lightweight world championship??

Question

what do you think of this dream match,2 of the all time greats in the lightweight division,both I admired greatly for qualities other than just boxing,who'd win here ??

Answer 1

if it went the distance it would probably be a hard fight to score. would the judges go for arguellos constant stalking or pernells defensive hit and run style. i think at times whitaker would make arguello miss badly and be able to land combinations on alexis but in the later rounds arguello would find his timing and would start landing some bombs and probably knock down whitaker at least once but at this point whitaker would hope he built a big enough lead to run the rest of the fight, which lead to probably a close decision . i would pick arguello by decision.

Answer 2

This would be a fantastic fight, even if the scores showed a blowout.  Whitaker is a far superior boxer, faster, and quicker.  But you know Arguello would keep coming forward, even if he was getting outboxed, he would try and use his length and power against Sweat Pea's shifty style and counter-punching.

The fight would take place a pretty close quarters, so it would be 15 rounds of punching, trunk movement, and spectacular counters.

You have to believe that Arguello skillful agression would lead to some clean shots and take a few rounds, but bottom line, Whitaker's craft was designed to beat a classic boxer - Whitaker 12 rounds to 3.

Answer 3

thumbs up to galactus, sweet-pea by decision in this battle of legends.

Answer 4

Arguello might be ranked higher overall.  Thats mostly because he is well liked and most dont like Whitaker.  He's not as cocky as Mayweather but he has his way of rubbing people the wrong way.  

For all his greatness,  this is an easy one.   Every speedy boxer Arguello ever faced either defeated him or gave him fits.  Whitaker is better than all of them.  Arguello would never hit Sweet Pea often enough to trouble him.

Whitaker by Decision in 15

Answer 5

I love Alexis Arguello. . . both as the man he was when he fought, all the way to today, being part of Nicaraguan government.  He is classy, intelligent, and knows the perils of addictions.  His skills in the ring were as if he were an artist, wasting no punches, no movements. . . everything was for a reason. . . no showboating, no scowling, no talking, just business.  That's why it pains me to say that Whitaker would have won this fight.  

Sweet Pea, while clearly better as a welter, was a d**n good lightweight, and if he were ever to have had the chance to fight a prime Arguello, he'd have bewildered the Nicaraguan legend.  No one, and I mean NO ONE had defense like Whitaker.  True, Willie Pep was the one that the greats emulated, but Whitaker is the one that future generations will be able to watch on VHS more easily and learn from on the sweet science of defense.  Honestly, the term POUND FOR POUND was used to describe just how great Whitaker was. . . .who else in the common era can say that they are the REASON a term is used today. . . and such a common term at that?!?

Whitaker outpoints Arguello, whether 15, 12, or even 2 rounds.