45 years ago

Date: 8th July 1979

Title: WBC World Super-featherweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: ABC Wide World Of Sport

Alexis Arguello
( 58 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 130 lbs

Rafael Limon
( 43 - 8 - 2 )
Weight: 129 lbs

On Sunday, 8th July 1979, the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York witnessed an intense battle between Alexis Arguello from Managua, Nicaragua, and Rafael Limon from Mexico City. The WBC World Super Featherweight Title was on the line, with Arguello making his 5th defense. Promoted by Don King Productions, the fight was refereed by Tony Perez. Arguello entered the ring with a record of 58-5-0, while Limon boasted a record of 48-3-2. Both fighters weighed in under the limit, with Arguello at 130 lbs and Limon at 129 lbs.

Limon, the WBC #1 super featherweight contender, faced significant challenges throughout the bout. Both fighters sustained facial damage, with Arguello suffering minor damage to the corner of his right eye and a small welt beneath it. Limon, on the other hand, received more severe damage above and below his right eye, leading to profuse bleeding for the majority of the fight.

Throughout the bout, there were multiple early clashes of heads, with Limon consistently finding himself on the losing end. In two instances, Limon stopped fighting to gesture about the head clashes. During the second such pause, Arguello capitalized on the opportunity, landing a hard straight right hand while Limon's hands were down.

By the sixth and seventh rounds, Arguello began to dictate the pace of the fight, punching through the middle of Limon's southpaw guard. This offensive strategy contributed to Limon's bleeding from the nose and the development of minor welts.

Ultimately, a cut over Limon's right eye forced the stoppage of the contest in the eleventh round. Referee Tony Perez waved off the fight at 1:40 in round 11 after inspecting Limon's eyes, declaring Alexis Arguello the winner by TKO.