44 years ago
Alexis Arguello vs Rolando Navarrete
Date: 27th April 1980
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoTitle: WBC World Super-featherweight Title
Promoter: Don King Productions
Tv: ABC Wide World Of Sport
Alexis Arguello
(
62
-
5
-
0
)
Weight: 130 lbs
Rolando Navarrete
(
36
-
6
-
3
)
Weight: 130 lbs
On Sunday, April 27th, 1980, the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, hosted the match between Alexis Arguello and Rolando Navarrete. The fight, promoted by Don King Productions, featured Arguello's seventh defense of his WBC World Super Featherweight Title. Arguello, a native of Managua, Nicaragua, entered the ring with a record of 62-5-0, while Navarrete, hailing from General Santos City, Philippines, boasted a record of 36-6-3.
Both fighters weighed in at an even 130 lbs, with Arguello fighting out of the orthodox stance and Navarrete, the southpaw stance. At the time of the fight, Arguello was 28 years old, while Navarrete was 23 years and 2 months old. The match was overseen by referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. and broadcast on ABC Wide World of Sport.
The fight began with Arguello demonstrating controlling the tempo and landing clean, powerful punches. Navarrete, was attempting to counter Arguello's relentless offense. Despite the disparity in their records, Navarrete proved to be a worthy challenger for Arguello, showcasing his own die-hard attitude.
As the bout progressed into the fourth round, Navarrete suffered a significant setback. A badly cut right eye, likely the result of Arguello's precise and powerful punches, impeded Navarrete's vision and ability to defend himself. Referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. assessed the injury and determined that it was severe enough to warrant a stoppage.
Consequently, at the end of the fourth round, Alexis Arguello was declared the winner by retirement. This victory solidified Arguello's dominance in the super featherweight division and extended his record to 63-5-0. Despite the loss, Navarrete's performance in the fight underscored his potential as a future world champion, as he would later go on to capture the WBC Super Featherweight title in August 1981.