BoxRec

The Original Golden Boy!
ARAGON GETS LOOK AT HIS NAMESAKE, THE 'GOLDEN BOY'
Art Aragon who was boxing's "Golden Boy" long before Oscar De La Hoya was even a boy, was in Las Vegas to get his first look at the youngster who has taken over the nickname. "Never saw him fight before, not on TV, never," said Aragon, 68 and long time Los Angeles lightweight and welterweight. "For a long time, I didn't want to see him, but then, before this fight, I asked somebody how much he was gonna make, they said $9 million. I said they can call him anything they want." So will Aragon part with his nickname? "I'll tell you after the fight," he said. "And remember, he can be the 'Golden Boy' even if he loses. But he's got to look good losing, I did that plenty of times." (June 1996)

Aragon was not only entertaining but highly skilled. Even late in his career vs the bigger Basilio he put forth a great effort.

Showing the depth of that period, I'd favor Aragon over the more well-known Oscar De La Hoya at 140 lbs.

I don't think he would beat De La Hoya. Technically, DLH only had 3 fights at that weight. However, based on what he did at 135 and 147, and the 3 fights at 140, De La Hoya would have been too much for Aragon.

I do think Aragon was a very good fighter and overlooked. As mentioned, there were a lot of really good fighters around his weight class during his time.

Often, the fighters a notch below the very best (especially in the lower weights) get forgotton over time.