HispanicBusiness

One of boxing's all-time greats, Alexis Arguello, was found dead early this morning.

Arguello, 57, was also the mayor of his hometown Managua, Nicaragua, when he died. Authorities said he died from a single gunshot to the chest.

With lightning-fast hands and knockout power in his fists, the lanky Arguello in the 1970s and 1980s became one of boxing's biggest television stars. Long before Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez, Arguello was widely popular among Hispanic fans.

His thrilling knockout of Mexican Ruben Olivares in 1974, to win the Featherweight title, made him a favorite in the sport.

Back when title fights were 15 rounds, Arguello won his second world title with a knockout of Junior Lightweight champion Alfredo Escalero. He knocked the Puerto Rican out in the 13th round.

He won his third world title by outpointing Jim Watt in London, England to win the Lightweight Championship.

Inducted into boxing's Hall of Fame, Arguello's most famous fight is arguably his stunning knockout victory over Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini in 1981.

Arguello tried to become the first fighter to win titles in four different weight divisions, but was knocked out in a grueling, classic fight against the spectacular Aaron Pryor, who at the time was in his prime. Pryor, who retired undefeated, knocked Arguello out again in a rematch.

Arguello eventually moved into politics, where he became a champion again, of sorts. As mayor, he was regarded as a hero and advocate for the poor.

His death is still a mystery, but authorities are investigating it as a possible suicide.