I always wanted to meet you...

[Deanrw]

When I got word of this yesterday morning Mick, it simply floored me. His craft and professionalism was so immense. I remember back in I think 1985, when he made his comeback. He had a fight against Bill Costello on CBS Sports. That fight is etched in my mind forever.

Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy were commentating. Alexis was so professional and soft spoken beforehand. He said he was coming back because the desire was there again. He wanted that one last crack at a championship.

When the fight started he was very rusty, but he was in with Costello, who was fast and no slouch being a former champ himself. As the third round came about, he started finding his rhythm and timing.

In the fourth round, Gil said to Tim, "I wonder how long it will be before Arguello lands his big right hand?" Tim goes, "but does he still have his big right hand is my questing Gil". Then no less than a second later BOOM!.

Gil Clancy: "There's your answer Tim, There's your answer!"

Me and Dad were jumping for Joy. We had that fight recorded and VHS and watched that over and over until the tape wore out. He never made that comeback like he promised, but man oh man, what a swansong fight. I consider that fight his last true one. The comeback he made a decade later was too late, but if he would have stayed there and kept going in 1985, he would have captured the title that eluded him against pryor.

So many memories. Such a class act. He is one of my favorite fighters of all time.


I wish I still had that fight. Gil Clancy and Tim Ryan are IMO the best commentating duo who ever hit the airwaves. They would flow off each other perfectly. I miss Arguello. I miss CBS Sports Boxing. I don't even want to tell dad Alexis is gone now. He is 84 years old and it will take something from him I think. I will tell him though, as I know it will rekindle incredible memories in him too.

Arguello had such an incredible career, but it was that fight that I remember most vividly. I watched it so many times back then. That was Arguello making a statement to Pryor that he was not going to be denied. The 4th was within his grasp again.