Top 5 Best Nicaraguan Boxers

Best Boxers from Nicaragua

Looking at the top 5 boxers from Nicaragua in history, there are many outstanding names, although the guy at the top of the list certainly stands out, and is what many people immediately associate with Nicaraguan boxing.

1. Alexis Arguello (Career: 1968-1995): The winner of his nation’s category by the largest margin of all these lists, Arguello won titles in three weight classes and staged a classic in his effort to earn a fourth. Known for a rocket-shot right hand, Arguello also possessed a hurtful hook, especially when wielded to the body. The 5’10” stringbean powerhouse won the WBA Featherweight Title against Ruben Olivares in ’74, holding it until ’78, when he beat Alfredo Escalera for the WBC 130-pound belt. Held that belt until beating Jim Watt for a lightweight belt in 1981. Also holds wins over Bazooka Limon, Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Rolando Navarrete, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Jose Luis Ramirez, Ray Mancini, and Billy Costello.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Boxing: The Best of a Nation series for more top 5 and 10 lists of the best boxers from different countries and locales.
2. Rosendo Alvarez (Career: 1992-2006): Perhaps he gets most of his juice off of going 0-1-1 versus Ricardo Lopez, but being the only man to give the peerless “Finito” a serious run for his money counts for a lot. Beat future-flyweight titlist Jose Bonilla in 1995 and the following year dethroned 35-0 Thai 105-pound titleholder Chana Porpaoin. Four strong defenses followed before he became the first to put a blemish on Lopez’ record in 48 fights. Acquitted himself well in 1998 rematch—a split decision loss that elevated the status of both men. Bounced back in 2000, reversing a DQ loss to 27-0 Beibis Mendoza (who he beat 3 times) to claim the WBA 108-pound belt. Also beat longtime champ Pichit Chor Siriwat and current 115-pound champ Tomas Rojas. “El Bufalo” holds wins over 10 world champions.

   

3. Ricardo Mayorga (Career: 1993-present): Not too shabby for a cigarette smoking, raw, and undisciplined brawler. His sheer willpower and hunger has allowed him to compile an overlooked resume, which boasts of two wins over Vernon Forrest and a decision of Fernando Vargas. Two point-deductions cost him a draw against a peak Cory Spinks in 2003. Also knocked out undefeated Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis and decisioned 44-2 Michele Piccirillo. Fought admirably in post-prime performances against Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto.
4. Roman Gonzalez (Career: 2005-present): Current 108-pound titleholder and prodigious powerpuncher who at the tender age of 23, already claims 6 title-fight victories and titles in two weight classes. Beat an excellent champion in Yutaka Niida, who was making his 10^th defense for the WBA 105-pound belt, before claiming that organization’s 108-pound strap.
5. Luis Perez (1996-present): Two-division champion spoiled 115-pound titlist Felix Machado’s good run in 2003 and also repeated the win and defended against 41-2 Luis Bolano and 28-2 Dmitri Kirilov, before winning the vacant IBF Bantamweight Title, a belt he would lose to Joseph Agbeko in his first defense.

From Arguello to Mayorga and plenty in between, there have been some top level Nicaraguan boxers in the history of the sport. Leave a comment below if you agree, disagree, or just want to get in on the fun.