Former 3 x World Champion, Alexis Arguello, moves up in weight again to make his mark on the Super Lightweight division. His opponent, would be another man making his debut at Super Lightweight, talented prospect, Kevin Rooney. More info below...
Kevin Rooney is more famously known as a trainer to the legendary Mike Tyson, but before training Tyson, Rooney was a talented prospect in his own right. Rooney boxed predominantly at welterweight since turning pro in 1979. He would go undefeated in 15 fights, winning a majority by decision, to be viewed by some as a talented up and comer even though he had not really fought anybody of note. But in 1981 Rooney took on a young Davey Moore, who forced a TKO stoppage in Rd 7 for Rooney's first ever loss as a professional. Just 8 months later and Moore would win the WBA World Super Welterweight title... Rooney would bounce back with 4 wins in a row over the next year however to keep his stock alive including a big win over then undefeated Earnest Jackson. Rooney's record at the time of the Arguello fight was a very impressive 19-1 however he would be entering the bout fighting for the first time at super lightweight, a career low of 140lbs.
Arguello had only just recently vacated his 3rd World title, the WBC Lightweight belt. Although not undefeated, Arguello had never actually been beaten for any of his 3 World titles to date at Featherweight, Super Featherweight or Lightweight and had in fact voluntarily vacated each belt to move up and compete in the higher weight classes. He was a very talented boxer and at this time in his career was still viewed as world class but there were doubters that the man nicknamed "El Flaco Explosivo" would still possess the power to compete at Super Lightweight after so many years in the game. Arguello's record sat at 71-5 and he had been boxing since 1968!
The 1st round saw Rooney take the action to Arguello and was even landing some big shots, showing no fear or respect for Arguello's power. The second was all action as well. Both men met each other in the centre of the ring to trade punches but it was clear Arguello was the more accurate of the two this round and quickly put Rooney on the back foot. Arguello stunned Rooney with a left hook straight right combo 30 seconds in but to his credit, Rooney didn't back off and continued to try trade in close although his power appeared to be gone... Rooneys big downfall however was the fact he didn't move his head and body enough early on, Arguello had a field day tagging him again and again but just couldn't put him down. However, in the dying seconds, Arguello landed a perfect counter right that instantly dropped Rooney against the bottom rope. Rooney was awake, but he didn't know what was going on and the ref counted him out. Any concerns about Arguello's power had just been answered.
Kevin Rooney returned to the welterweight ranks after the loss but his next fight ended in an upset, being forced to retire after suffering a bad cut above his eye against unheralded Terry Crawley (5-2-1). After 15 months out of the ring Rooney made a return in 1984 in a rematch with Terry Crawley, resulting in an underwhelming draw. Rooney picked up a couple more wins against nobodies in 1985 before facing journeyman, Mike Picciotti, getting stopped in Rd 4 and then officially calling it quits with a record of 21-4-1.
After the Rooney fight, Arguello twice attempted to win a World title at Super Lightweight but was stopped on both occasions by undefeated Aaron Pryor, once in 1982 and then again in 1983. Arguello remained a key figure at super lightweight until he retired in 1986... But in 1994 Arguello made a shock return to ring at 41 years of age. He won his first fight back against Jorge Palomares over 10 rounds but broke his hand in the process resulting in a very close fight. His next, and subsequent final fight, came in January 1995, a losing effort against future Arizona State Super Lightweight Champion, Scott "Pink Cat" Walker. Arguello's final record sat at 77-8.
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