De La Hoya Mourns Arguello's Death

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 07.02.2009

"Alexis was my idol!"

Oscar De La Hoya is mourning the loss of former three-division champ Alexis Arguello who was found dead in Nicaragua on Wednesday.

"I felt sad receiving the news and still find it hard to believe," said De La Hoya. "Alexis [Arguello] was my idol. When I was young, I heard so much about him and his fights and loved his style in the ring. In my opinion he was of the biggest and most influential fighters boxing has ever produced."

He also spoke about talking to Arguello when the two met for De La Hoya's fight with Steve Forbes at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

"I remember he came to my fight against Steve Forbes and we shared some great moments together before and after the fight. Arguello was definitely a legend in the boxing world because of all the joy he brought to his fans with his unforgettable career and amazing personality."