49 years ago

Date: 15th March 1975

Title: WBA World Featherweight Title

Promoter: N/A

Tv: N/A

Alexis Arguello
( 37 - 4 - 0 )
Weight: 125¾ lbs

Leonel Hernandez
( 29 - 4 - 0 )
Weight: 125¾ lbs

On Saturday, 15th March 1975, the WBA World Featherweight title fight took place between Alexis Arguello from Managua, Nicaragua, and Leonel Hernandez from San Juan de Los Morros, Venezuela at El Poliedro in Caracas, Venezuela. Ferny Carpentier served as the referee. This fight marked the first title defense for Alexis Arguello, who held a record of 37-4-0 at the time, while his opponent, Leonel Hernandez, had a record of 29-4-0. Both fighters weighed in at 125¾ lbs.

The fight began with both boxers demonstrating their own abilities, Arguello relying on his power and precision, while Hernandez used agility and speed. As the rounds progressed, Arguello's experience at the higher level became more evident, giving him an advantage over his Venezuelan opponent. The Nicaraguan champion continued to dominate the match, landing powerful blows that gradually wore down Hernandez.

In the eighth round, Arguello delivered a series of powerful punches that proved to be too much for Hernandez to handle. At 2:52 into the round, the referee, Ferny Carpentier, stopped the fight, declaring Alexis Arguello the winner by TKO. This victory further solidified Arguello's reputation as one of the best featherweight fighters in the world at that time.

Arguello, born April 19, 1952, in Managua, Nicaragua, had a storied career in professional boxing, becoming world featherweight, junior lightweight, and lightweight champion between 1974 and 1982