Alexis Arguello Stuns Rubén Olivares To Win The 1974 Regular Featherweight Title

Arguello, known as “El Flaco Explosivo” (“The Thin Explosive Man”), was a tall, featherweight with exceptional timing and power. Coming in with a 35-4 record, he failed in a previous title challenge against Ernesto Marcel in February 1974 but rebuilt his standing, winning four straight fights to earn another shot. Although respected for his skill, the 22-year-old is considered by many to lack the experience to defeat the battle-tested Mexican star, Olivares. Arguello only earned $15,000 for the fight.

Arguello tried to establish his long left jab and keep Olivares on the receiving end of his punches, but the champion slowly closed the distance. Once Olivares was in, he ripped hooks to the body and head, forcing Arguello to fight in close quarters instead of the measured pace he prefers.

By the middle rounds, Olivares had taken over the show. He repeatedly backed Arguello against the ropes, digging heavy hooks to the body before bringing his attack to the surface. The Mexican champion was winning trades and had Arguello fighting a defensive battle, with several ringside observers believing the striker would lose if the pattern continued.

Rounds eight through ten were the hardest for Arguello. Olivares hit him with combinations and appeared close to a stoppage, but the fighter refused to concede. Even when losing rounds, Arguello remained composed, slipping in sharp counters that showed his power remained a threat if Olivares made a mistake.

Olivares hurt Arguello with a sweeping right hand in the 12th round and followed up with a sustained assault, pinning the challenger against the ropes as he sought a knockout punch. Arguello shut himself up, answered with an occasional count, then rang the bell. Although Olivares dominated most of the action, the furious attack required more energy.

As both fighters traded left hands early in the 13th round, Arguello landed a short, well-timed left uppercut that hit Olivares' chin, sending the champion sprawling to the canvas. Olivares hit a long count after the officials replaced his mouthpiece and moved forward, determined to continue trading punches.

Arguello met the rising champion with another well-timed combination that dropped Olivares for the second time. Although the proud Mexican bounced back, he was in no condition to continue, prompting referee Dick Young to stop the contest and award Arguello a 13th round victory.

The win turned Arguello's career around. When he became Nicaragua's first world boxing champion, he launched one of the sport's greatest championships, defending the featherweight title before taking the super featherweight and lightweight world championships. He would later challenge for an unprecedented fourth world title against Aaron Pryor, cementing his place among boxing's immortals.

Olivares accepted defeat with characteristic grace, noting later that he was “caught out cold” despite believing he was ahead. The loss did not diminish his standing. In 1975, he knocked out Bobby Chacon in two rounds to capture the WBC featherweight title, and Arguello's victory at The Forum marked the first world championship in a career that eventually produced titles in three weight classes.