Paul Hodkinson v Tomas Arguelles I & II (1987 rivalry)

[Autobarn]

Anyone familiar with the rivalry between Paul Hodkinson & Tomas Arguelles? Two tough fights, one in Panama, one in Ireland. First fight ended in a draw and “Hoko” won a hard rematch in Ireland, via 6th round stoppage.

Unusual matchups, and both strange & refreshing to see hard fights so early on in a prospect’s career.

I’m a big fan of 90s/early 00s British featherweights. We had some good success, culminating in the Naz era. And ending around the time of the astonishing epic between Brodie & Chi (first fight). Seems there’s always something to discover, from this very rich era of fights.

[bennie]

Remember it well. Barney Eastwood had a strong Panamanian connection and several of his fighters went in with Panamanians, including Dave McAuley, Nigel Wenton, Hoko and of course Barry McGuigan when he licked the great Eusebio Pedroza. Panama's Victor Cordoba also linked up with Eastwood.
Hoko was very well matched by Eastwood on the way up and his two fights with Arguelles brought him on; he became good friends with Arguelles and the two worked together for some of Hoko's bigger fights.

[Mimmy]

Tomas Arguelles was possibly selected due to his record at that time. He was a 6 fight novice himself and hadnt beaten anyone who seemed decent with any sort of record, which at that time in his career wasnt unnatural.

I'm sure Eastwood had connections with south america as he had a couple of boxers from around there at the time. He managed Crisanto España who beat Meldrick Taylor for the welterweight title Espana was from Venezuela.

He also managed Víctor Córdoba who was Panamanian who went on to beat Christophe Tiozzo for the super middleweight title, and im sure Cordoba helped in the corner when he retired, maybe wrong but ive seen a black trainer often in the Eastwood corner in the 80s and 90's (Cordoba retired in 1999)

I'm guessing Eastwood had a 'scout' who matched Hoko with Arguelles as a decent fight for the upcoming Hoko who they maybe thought would stop Arguelles or beat him easily on points. After the draw, maybe decided to fight him again as a learning process.

[Stuarty]

Anyone familiar with the rivalry between Paul Hodkinson & Tomas Arguelles? Two tough fights, one in Panama, one in Ireland. First fight ended in a draw and “Hoko” won a hard rematch in Ireland, via 6th round stoppage.

Unusual matchups, and both strange & refreshing to see hard fights so early on in a prospect’s career.

I’m a big fan of 90s/early 00s British featherweights. We had some good success, culminating in the Naz era. And ending around the time of the astonishing epic between Brodie & Chi (first fight). Seems there’s always something to discover, from this very rich era of fights.

Although a wasted talent Harrison deserves a shout as well. Had some good solid wins in the early 00s..

[Autobarn]

He was indeed strong although I was never a fan given the poor performances in defeat to Medina (fight 1) and the controversial fight with Victor Polo.

[Autobarn]

Were both Hodkinson v Arguelles fights televised, or just the second?

[Autobarn]

Was Hodkinson “lucky” the first time? Was Arguelles “jobbed”?

[banjo]

The first fight was one of only two of Hoko's fights which heard the final bell.

[Autobarn]

Ah, the other being the rematch with Villasana. I’d never even thought to check such a detail.

“Hoko” had a good career, with some very interesting fights. I really enjoyed the battles with Vargas, Robinson & Benichou.

Gagging to get DVDs of the Arguelles fights. If anyone can point me in the right direction.

“Hoko”, with his correct boxing and tidy aggression, had the look of being “the next McGuigan.” Although McGuigan himself had a short career at world level, fleeting success after the great wins over Laporte, Pedroza & Taylor. Spencer Oliver was a great prospect and he had that similar look about him, especially in the acclaimed win over Patrick Mullings, prior to the career ending injury he suffered when he later lost his European title over a year later.

[banjo]

His slugfest with Eduardo Montoya was one of the first fights I remember watching, didn't have a long career though and retired just short of his 29th birthday.

[thepocketrocket]

Hoko was one of my fave fighters growing up,, He seemed really good for a short space of time.

Always expected him to beat Robinson was was mortified when he was soundly beaten,

[banjo]

Thought this was alright

[Ketchel]

Great interview. Seems like a great guy. I was there the night Hoko beat Vilasana. Possibly the most mature performance of his career. Great fighter. Eastwood sure as hell give his fighters a great education taking them to gyms in south America for sparring. His comment about Dave McAuley hitting hard reminded me of a an interview with Dave who said that during training for a fight he would be hurting sparring partners until he got close to his fighting weight. Great days in Northern Ireland back then for boxing.