BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Rover,

I believe Teddy Brenner promised Jerome a November 18, 1977 bout for the WBC Lightweight Championship
with Esteban De Jesus - who wanted one more tune-up Defense before facing Roberto Duran in January 1978.

As per the agreement, if Jerome went the distance with Alexis Arguello - and/or looked good even if he lost
- he was guaranteed the bout and a $25,000 fight purse.

I guess Jerome believed he would have no trouble with Alexis. In the New York Daily News before the bout,
Jerome said "I can't believe that they actually picked me to fight Arguello. This guy is made for me.
I might even knock him out."

Il Duce wrote:1977 - Fight Purses

Alexis Arguello
* 2/19/77.........$28,000.........vs (NR) - Godfrey Stevens ($3500)..............Nicaragua.......(Estadio Roberto Clemente)
* 5/14/77.........$25,000.........vs. (#8 SF) - Alberto Herrera ($7000)..........Nicaragua.......(Estdaio Roberto Clemente)
* 6/22/77.........$25,000.........vs. (#4 SF) - Ezequiel Sanchez ($6500)........New York.......(Main Event)
* 8/3/77...........$25,000.........vs. (NR) - Jose Fernandez ($4000)..............New York.........(On the Benitez - Chavez undercard)
* 8/27/77..........$5000...........vs. (NR) - Benjamin Ortiz ($2500)...............Puerto Rico......(On the Serrano - Yoshio undercard)
* 9/29/77.........$25,000..........vs. (#9 SF) - Jerome Artis ($10,000)............New York.......(On the Ali - Shavers undercard)

Note; Alexis Arguello signed a 3-Bout / $75,000 contract with Madison Square Garden in June 1977.

Note; Alexis Arguello accepted $25,000 'step-aside' money from Samuel Serrano's Fight Promoter -
Pepito Cordero on August 10, 1977 - so Serrano could defend his Championship on August 27, 1977
against Japan's - Apollo Yoshio. Alexis would fight the 'walk-out bout' as part of the undercard.

Note; Alexis forfeited {$2500} of his fight purse to Jerome Artis, because he could not make the fight
contract weight of 132 lbs.

Note; Following his 'one-sided' blow-out over Jerome Artis, Alexis returned home to Nicaragua with plans
of announcing his retirement.
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Alfredo Escalera (WBC Super Featherweight Champion)
* 3/17/77..........$75,000.........vs. (#10 SF) - Ronnie McGarvey ($15,000)....Puerto Rico...............(On the Foreman - Young underard)
* 5/16/77..........$75,000.........vs. (#7 SF) - Carlos Becceril ($15,000)..........Baltimore, Maryland....(On the Ali - Evangelista undercard)
* 9/10/77..........$100,000........vs. (#4 SF) - Sigfrido Rodriguez ($25,000)....Puerto Rico................(ABC-TV Wide World of Sports)
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Samuel Serrano (WBA Super Featherweight Champion)
* 1/15/77..........$125,000.........vs. (#8 SF) - Alberto Herrera ($25,000)........Ecuador...................(Main Event)
* 6/26/77..........$125,000.........vs. (#2 SF) - Leonel Hernandez ($30,000).....Venezuela................(Main Event)
* 8/27/77..........$85,000...........vs. (#5 SF) - Apollo Yoshio ($25,000)...........Puerto Rico..............(Main Event as part of a WBA Elimination Fight Card)
* 11/19/77........$50,000...........vs. (#7 SF) - Tae-Ho Kim ($15,000).............Puerto Rico...............(Undercard of the Cuevas - Espada II Bout)

Il Duce wrote:Dr. Rover,

I knew you'd ask that.

A) Don King signed up Alfedo Escalera, who recognized 'El Salsero' was an exciting fighter
who had a big following in Puerto Rico with his charismatic style and ring theatrics of entering
the ring with snake around his neck.

B) Don King put Alfredo on 'two' of his early-1977 TV Promotions, and the other bout was with ABC-TV
Wide World of Sports (September bout with Sigfrido Rodriguez) who put up the good fight purse
for the TV rights.

C) Samuel Serrano received a 'crazy' fight purse by the Ecuadorian Promoters to go to Eduador to fight
their National Hero (Alberto Herrera) at the time.

D) Venezuela connection Ramiro Machado had access to alot of fight money, and they offered Serrano
$125,000 to come to Venezuela to fight their popular fighter Leonel Hernandez. They were competing
with Alexis Arguello's fight promoter Roger Rugiero, and outbid him to get Serrano to come to Venezuela
in June 1977 - instead of Nicaragua.

E) Samuel Serrano accepted an $85,000 fight purse to fight Apollo Yoshio, which they felt was a 'no-risk bout'.
Remember, Pepito Cordero also paid Alexis Arguello $25,000 'step-aside-money' so this bout could go through,
which may have been part of Serrano's original fight purse.

F) Samuel Serrano vs. Tae-Ho Kim was an undercard Championship bout, and I'm pretty sure they thought
this was a quick way to make a fast $50,000 in another 'semi low-risk' bout against another Oriental-based fighter
with limited skills. Of course, Tae-Ho Kim was tougher than expected, and put a scare into the Serrano Camp.

More to Come,,,,,,,,,,,,

Il Duce wrote:Basically,

Samuel Serrano was 'overpaid' by several fight promoters to get him to travel to the
other fighter's country to defend his WBA Championship.

Many thouht he was a 'weak Champion', but the guy knew how to win with that box,
jab, clinch and hold style. He dominated the shorter guys with that clever ruse.

More of the Skinny,

After Alexis defeated Jerome Artis (September 29, 1977) he left to go back to Nicaragua.
He was the #1 WBA Super Featherweight Challenger and was supposed to fight
Samuel Serrano next on November 19, 1977 in Puerto Rico on the Cuevas - Espada
undercard. But Alexis was 'in a 'state-of-depression' and was in no condition to train or get
ready for that bout.

That is where (#7 WBA) Tae-Ho Kim gets selected, as more-or-less a replacement Challenger.

Dr. Eduardo Roman (Manager for Alexis Arguello) offered up another one his Nicaraguan fighters
Mario Martinez as the replacement Challenger, but the WBA said no - because #7 WBA Tae-Ho Kim
was the next highest-rated available Challenger.

As an agreement, the WBA mandated that the winner of the Samuel Serrano vs Tae-Ho Kim would have
to defend against #1 WBA - Alexis Arguello within 90-Days (by February 20, 1978). In the meantime
Dr. Eduardo Roman was also negotiating with Don King to have Alexis fight Alfredo Escalera, for more
money than he would get by fighting Samuel Serrano.

Il Duce wrote:'Arguello Back Home, Scores KO Over Puerto Rican 'Quirque'

Sunday - December 18, 1977

Alexis Arguello back home in Managua, Nicaragua, returned to the ring after a brief 80-Day
retirement. The tall 'Explosive Thin Man' scored a knockout (KO 5) over Enrique 'Quirque' Solis
after '4' entertaining rounds, as both fighters banged away with hard punches.

Arguello was cheered as he entered the Estadio Somoza Ballfield in front of 18,000 cheering
fans. The Nicaraguan National Hero was greeted in the ring by President Anastasio Somoza
and other Nicaraguan officials.

The 25 year-old former WBA Featherweight Champion at (133 1/4 lbs.) looked to be in perfect
physical conditon, despite his 5' 10" slender frame. His opponent, Enrique Solis of Puerto Rico
a 22 year-old 5' 8" fighter from the popular National Gym in San Juan and with a record of
20-6-2 (6 KO's) weighed in at (132 lbs.).

The Fight,

Alexis got off to a bit of a slow start, as he found 'Quirque' very elusive, as the Puerto Rican boxer
jabbed fast and moved quickly. Solis took Round 1, and held the Nicaraguan 'even' in Round 2.

In Round 3, the bout opened up, as Alexis and Solis got into several heavy exchanges at center-ring.
Both fighters landed good right hands, but the hand-speed of the Puerto Rican still threw Alexis off.

In Round 4, Alexis was able to get better range, as 'Quirque' was willing to abandon his box-and-move
strategy, and attempted to slug with the 'Explosive Thin Man'. In the best Round of the fight, both
fighters exchanged good punches. Alexis was landing the harder blows, but the fast-handed Puerto
Rican was landing more punches. Several of Solis' right-hands landed on Alexis' chin, snapping
his head side-ways a couple of times.

In Round 5, Alexis wasted little time in going after his opponent, and attacked fast with a heavy salvo
that shook Solis. A double left hook to the body drove Solis into a 'neutral-corner' where he smartly took
a knee at the (0:27 Mark). After taking the Mandatory 8-Count, Solis got up and immediately went into
a circling-mode to stay away from another assault. But, Alexis stalked and trapped Solis on the opposite
side of the ring, where he unleashed a 12-Punch Barrage that put him down again. This time 'Quirque'
didn't get up, and was counted out at (1:09) of Round 5.

The victory improved Alexis record to 52-4-0 (43 KO's) and he was now ranked as the #1 Super Featherweight
by both the WBA and WBC.

Enrique 'Quirque' Solis dropped to 20-7-2. Solis was ranked as the #6 WBC Super Featherweight, following an
'upset' Decision win over #7 WBC Lightweight - Hector Julio Medina on July 11, 1977.

Note; Enrique Solis was the main sparring partner for WBC Champion - Alfredo Escalera, and I'm sure he
was there to test Alexis and report back. Enrique was also accompanied by Victor Valle, who was also
the trainer for Alfredo Escalera.
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On the undercard, Alexis' stablemate and main sparring partner - 25 year-old Mario Martinez won the Central
American Super Featherweight Championship by 'defeating' (W Dec 12) Humberto Caicedo of Panama which
would earn him a Championship against Samuel Serrano for February 1978, by way of Alexis going after
WBC Champion - Alfredo Escalera.

The win moved Mario Martinez up to the #8 WBA Super Featherweight, though the Nicaraguan was hardly
'world class material'.

Il Duce wrote:"ARGUELLO TAKES TITLE AWAY FROM ESCALERA"

Nicaraguan - Alexis Arguello took away the WBC Super Featherweight Championship away
from Puerto Rican - Alfredo Escalera by a TKO 13, in a bout billed as 'The Duel in the Sunset'.

The Juan Ramon Loubriel Baseball Sadium drew a record crowd of 17,000 and with it
a record 'live gate' for Puerto Rico.

Immediately after winning the Championship, Arguello stated that he wanted to fight
Roberto Duran for the World Lightweight Championship. Arguello, 'I have two promotion
options with Promoter - Don King, and after that I want to fight Duran. The next thing I
want to do is help prepare my countryman and stable-mate Mario Martinez defeat WBA
Champion - Samuel Serrano next month. Imagine, Nicaragua having 'two' Champions in
the same division.'

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... _CbXUQAg-g

Fight Purse,
* Alfredo Escalera..........$125,000
* Alexis Arguello.............$75,000

Alexis was a 10-8 Betting-Favorite

Il Duce wrote:Always 'Funny Business' with the WBA

New WBA President - Fernando 'Mandry' Galindez of Venezuela liked to 'play ball' as long as there was cash
to be put in his pocket, plus all the ammenites that went along with being in charge of a corrupt boxing
association.

Mario Martinez, a 25 year-old Nicaraguan Super Featherweight, with a record of 31-4-0 (9 KO's) built up by
winning a string of bouts against 'Third-Rate' Central American fighters of (Taxi Cab Drivers and Dish-Washers).

Only one win on his record was of any importance, a disputed, controversial and home-town (W Dec 12) over
Panamanian - Humberto Caicedo of Panama on December 18, 1977 in Nicaragua - for the Central American
Super Featherweight Championship. That win, and being the main sparring partner for Alexis Arguello, as
well as having the same Manager (Dr. Eduardo Roman) got Mario Martinez a #8 WBA-ranking in January 1978.

Also, not being a very good fighter, cemented Mario Martinez as being qualified as another 'safe opponent'
for WBA Champion - Samuel Serrano.

On Saturday Night - February 18, 1978 - Samuel Serrano would make his '5th' Title Defense against
the Nicaraguan, with all of the WBA Officials in attendance and the recipients of First-Class accomodations
from Pepito Cordero of Salinas Promotions. Also on hand, was Alexis Arguello, who will watch his stable-mate
attempt to do the impossible of not only winning, but by doing it with '3' Puerto Rican Officials scoring the bout.

Il Duce wrote:Yes, they are missing a bunch from Central America.

Mario Martinez was born in November 1952.

He started fighting as a professional in Nicaragua in 1970.

On October 27, 1971 - the (18 year, 11 month) - Mario Martinez (130 lbs.) was 11-0-0 (4 KO's)
when he fought Miguel Mayan at the Silver Slipper in Las Vegas.

He was listed as a Central American prospect from Nicaragua. He got stopped by (L KO 2).......

He must have done something right between November 1971 and November 1974 - because he
is listed as having a record of 27-1-0 (9 KO's) when he came with Alexis Arguello to The Forum
on November 23, 1974.

Mario fought Sigrfrido Rodriguez on the undercard of the Ruben Olivares vs. Alexis Arguello WBA Featherweight bout.

Yes,,,,,,,,,,,Mario got 'flattened' again.

Il Duce wrote:Mario Martinez fought on more than few of the Alexis Arguello undercards at the
* Estadio Cranshaw (1970 and 1971)
* Arena Kennedy (1972 thru 1974)
* Estadio Roberto Clemente (1974)

The 22 year-old got to 27-1-0 (9 KO's), and was ranked #9 by the WBA at Super Featherweight
by November 1974. No chance at challenging WBA Super Featherweight Champion - Ben Villaflor.

Got blasted out (L KO 5) by Sigfrido Rodriguez on the November 23, 1974 - Olivares vs. Arguello
undercard.= at the Forum in California.

Went back to Nicaragua, and returned on March 21, 1975 - and lost in Nicaragua to 21 year-old
Panamanian - Humberto 'El Hipico' Caiceda 14-0-0 (7 KO's).

Quit boxing as a professional, and stayed on as a sparring-partner for Alexis Arguello over the
next 2-Years.

Returned to the ring on February 19, 1977 on the Alexis Arguello - Godfrey Stevens undercard, and
scored a (W Dec 10) over Costa Rican - Casper Torres 9-5-1 (2 KO's).

Appeared again on the May 14, 1977 Alexis Arguello - Alberto Herrera undercard, and scored a
(W Dec 10) over Colombian - Jorge Durango 17-7-2 (4 KO's).

That put Mario Martinez at 29-3-0 (9 KO's), and in position to fight for the WBC FECARBOX Super
Featherweight Championship.

Il Duce wrote:Estadio Cranshaw (Thomas Cranshaw Stadium)

A 'soccer field' in Managua, with a small grandstand that could hold approximately 2000 people.

Promoter - Roger Riguero would set up bouts for Saturday Nights (after the Soccer Matches),
with a boxing ring and over-head lights. Usually packed them in, with ($5 U.S. Dollar Seats) around
ringside with 400 folding chairs. And '2000' $2 Grandstand Seats.

Usual attendance (around 2400) with a 'Live Gate' of approximately $6000.
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Arena Kennedy (John F. Kennedy High School Arena).

The 'big-time in Managua', a 4000 seat Arena. Usually Saturday or Sunday Night bouts, with the better
name fighters. Seats cost $7 at Ringside, and $2 for the Perimeter Seating for 'non-title' regularly
scheduled bouts.

With decent-name fighters, it would sell out also. Live Gate = $10,000

Il Duce wrote:Spanish Language

Estadio always comes first, then the proper name.

ie; Estadio Roberto Clemente or Estadio Nacionale'.

Il Duce wrote:Thomas Cranshaw........'Mr. Cranshaw'

He was born in England in 1892, but moved to Granada, Nicaragua in 1917.

He was a big advocate for organized sports in Nicaragua, primarily 'soccer'.

In 1926, he started the first organized Soccer League in Nicaragua. Then later
he was responsible for putting together 'the popular' Sunday Late-Afternoon
Boxing Matches in Nicaragua.

In the 1930's he was part of the Nicaraguan Boxing Commision, and staged
bouts for the up-and-coming 'pugilists' who liked to immitate the American
Boxers.

Though he moved to Costa Rica in 1956 to become the National Soccer Coach,
he was still held in high regard in Nicaragua.

In 1960, the 'Estadio Cranshaw' soccer field was built in Managua, Nicaragua
in Honor of 'Mr. Cranshaw' with a grandstand that could seat 2000. Lights were
later installed, so Soccer Matches could be played at night.

Also, boxing matches were staged there, where Alexis Arguello and Mario Martinez
fought several of their early bouts. Promoter - Roger Riguero would stage the
events, and 'unfortunately' only paid the Nicaraguan Boxers small fight purses,
sometimes as little as 50 Cordobas ($7 U.S. Dollars) for a 6-Round bout.

The better name more popular fighters received 300 Cordobas ($40 U.S. Dollars)
which was 'big money' back then.

By the 1970's, the fighters were getting paid better, usually 2000 Cordobas
($300 U.S. Dollars) to 5000 Cordobas ($700) depending on the 'venue' at the
soccer field.

The Estadio Cranshaw was strictly for the young up-and-coming Nicaraguan fighters
who were learning their trade, before moving up to 'Arena Kennedy'.

elmersalsa wrote:The great Alexis Arguello beat Alfredo Escalera in January '78. Escalera was the better champ in that 130lbs. Samuel Serrano defenses were against tomato cans. Arguello would have blasted him easily.