Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THE DAY I MET ALEXIS ARGUELLO


PhilBoxing.com




The morning of Friday the second of May 2008 was cold but the sun started to shine. Everything indicated that it was going to be a great day. It was the weigh-in for the super welterweight fight between Oscar de la Hoya and Steve Forbes, the media and the fans were excited to be at Pershing Square to witness the traditional weigh-in.

My great friend and better person Ramiro Gonzalez, Public Relations Director for Golden Boy Promotions invited me to a coffee so we went to Starbucks and right after we return to Pershing Square. The show was about to start, one by one the celebrities were arriving, from Marco Antonio Barrera, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Nacho Beristain, among others, but there was one celebrity that shine among all and as soon as Michael Buffer introduced his name to the audience, the crowd was cheering and chanting his name, Alexis Arguello answered them back with smiles and waving his hand at his fans.

I went closer to the former world champion in 3 different weight classes, and I was a bit shy to ask him for a little interview and if i could take a picture with him. In an educated and kind way he accepted and he did remember that the night before we exchange word in the dinner of the boxing writers. I asked him at the dinner how did he feel that so many of his fellow boxing champions and writers loved him so much and asked him for pictures.

"It's an honor and I feel proud, that means that they liked what I accomplished in my career and I am grateful for that," said Arguello.

People like James Toney, Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd Mayweather, Israel Vazquez, Bernard Hopkins, as well as writers and fans wanted that pictures with Arguello. He was happy to see all the love and support.

After talking that night to Alexis Arguello I realized that the greatness of "El Flaco Explosivo" wasn?t in his quality as a fighter, or in how many world titles or how many battles he won. The greatness of Alexis was as a human being, his simplicity, his kindness, and he was humble, he wasn?t just a personality, he was a true person and a real gentleman. That was his greatness was all about.

The morning of July the first I recieved a phone call and a friend told me that Alexis Arguello was dead. I was in shock, I couldn?t believe it. I was sad and realize how short this life is. He was still young and many more years ahead of him, but then as I was thinking and feeling the sadness, I realize that nothing can take away that moment when I met Alexis Arguello and all I could think was that I am lucky and fortunate to have shared with him a few words and a wonderful time, he was happy. And that is the way i want to remember him.

Thank you champ. Rest in peace.

Top photo: Alexis Arguello (L) with the author.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hesiquio Balderas.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.