Alexis Arguello vs. Billy Costello
Billy Costello 144 lbs lost to Alexis Arguello 143 lbs by TKO at 1:42 in round 4 of 10
- Date: 1986-02-09
- Location: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, USA
- Referee: Mills Lane
- Judge: Dave Moretti 30-27
1 1092 1093 109 - Judge: Keith MacDonald 30-27
1 1092 1093 109 - Judge: Doug Tucker 30-27
1 1092 1093 109
In a televised bout now found on youtube, former World Junior welterweight champion Billy Costello hit Alexis Arguello at will for three rounds with left and right jabs, body shots and counterpunching. Still, the more experienced Arguello appeared dangerous when Costello was on the ropes, scoring with some flurries and loading up with the right hand. In the fourth, with Costello on the ropes and appearing to tire, Arguello landed a picture perfect right hand that sent Costello to the canvas. Costello beat the count, but appeared to be out of gas holding the ring rope as referee Mills Lane allowed the bout to continue. Arguello then finished Costello with powerful combinations on the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the bout. It was a good stoppage, as Costello was not moving on the ropes, on wobbly legs and was not defending himself.
- Prior to the bout, Costello's manager, Mike Jones, questioned the way Arguello's hands were wrapped and protested what he thought was too much tape under the gauze covering Arguello's hands. The Nevada Boxing Commission agreed with the protest and Arguello was forced to rewrap.
Post-fight comment
- "It was a poor performance the first three rounds. But I was upset by the taping issue. They tried to play tricks. I've been taping my own hands for 18 years and never had a problem." -Alexis Arguello