Alexis Arguello won his first world title on November 23, 1974. A contemporary account stated: ” Olivares in the 13th round at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Before a crowd of 14,313, Arguello weathered one of the fiercest attacks of his career before producing a dramatic finish that earned him his first world title and made him the first Nicaraguan to win a world championship. The bout matched two devastating punchers at different stages of their careers. Olivares entered the ring at 27 years old with a remarkable 78-4-1 record and 72 knockouts. Already a Mexican boxing legend after twice ruling the bantamweight division, “
The account continued: ” had captured the WBA featherweight title by stopping Zenzuke Utagawa and was making the first defense of his championship. Despite showing signs of wear from years of wars, Olivares remained one of boxing’s biggest attractions and collected an $80,000 purse. Arguello, known as “
The report identified Arguello’s nickname: “The Explosive Thin Man”
Olivares immediately forced his preferred fight. He smothered Arguello’s long jab, closed the distance, and unleashed punishing hooks to the body and head. For much of the contest, Arguello was forced onto the defensive, fighting at a pace dictated by the champion. Olivares consistently backed the challenger to the ropes, winning exchanges and building a clear lead.
The assault intensified through the middle rounds, with Olivares seeming on the verge of a stoppage. In the 12th, a heavy right hand badly hurt Arguello, who covered up against the ropes to survive the round. Yet the Nicaraguan challenger never wilted. He remained composed under fire, slipping in sharp counterpunches that showed his own power remained a threat.
The champion’s sustained attack required enormous energy. Early in the 13th round, as the fighters exchanged lefts, Arguello landed a perfectly timed short left uppercut. The punch sent Olivares sprawling to the canvas. After rising, the champion immediately charged forward, only to be met by another combination that dropped him a second time and forced the stoppage.
Olivares accepted the defeat, stating he had been “caught cold” while believing he was ahead on points. The loss hardly diminished his standing; he captured the WBC featherweight title in 1975. The win launched Arguello into stardom. It was the first of his three world championships and the start of a legendary run that established him as an all-time great.
