BOXING

• Former junior lightweight champ Arguello found dead

  
  

  Managua, Nicaragua (Sports Network) - Former junior lightweight champion Alexis Arguello was found dead at his home early Wednesday.

  Nicaraguan presidential spokeswoman Rosario Murillo confirmed Arguello's death while the La Prensa newspaper stated Arguello was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.

  The 57-year-old Arguello, who was elected mayor of Managua last year, retired in 1995 after several comebacks with a record of 82-8, which included 65 knockouts.

  Knownas"The Explosive ThinMan," Arguello was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

  Voted as the best junior lightweight and sixth-best lightweight of the 20th century, he carried the flag for Nicaragua at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and his overwhelming popularity in his native country led to his decision to seek public office.

  Arguello lost his first bout after becoming a professional in 1968, but just six years later he knocked out future Hall of Famer Ruben Olivares in the 13th round to win the WBA featherweight title.

  He went on to win the super featherweight title and lightweight title and, at the time, he was only the sixth boxer to win titles in three weight classes.

  Arguello attempted to become the first boxer ever to win titles in four divisions, but in the fight where he challenged junior welterweight king Aaron Pryor in a fight know as "Battle of the Champions", Pryor knocked out Arguello in the 14th round.

  After a rematch with Pryor in which he was again knocked out, Arguello retired.

  However, he returned in 1985 to beat Pat Jefferson, and won another fight the following year, but didn't fight again until 1994. After losing to Scott Walker in January 1995, Arguello retired for the last time.

  07/01 12:17:09 ET