Thursday, July 2nd

Alexis Argüello is the first Nicaraguan to ever win a world title in boxing... he won THREE, had a career record of 82-8 (with 65 KOs); He is pictured here winning the second of his titles (@130 lbs) in 1978My mission team from ACA got to have dinner with him and a tour of his office in 2007! Here he is with recent graduate, Adam Johnson... at the time he was Vice-Mayor of Managua and a most gracious host; he was raised in a poor neighborhood on the west side of the capital, and used his success in the ring to study in the US and become fluent in English. He is considered a national hero.
He led the Nicaraguan delegation into the arena at last summer's Olympics, and was subsequently elected Mayor of Managua (an office that has historically proven itself a stepping-stone to the presidency)

Tragically, he (appears to have) committed suicide yesterday... Nicaragua and the boxing community are in mourning!