Arguello Stops Jefferson in His Comeback Fight

Fighting for the first time in more than two years, Alexis Arguello knocked Pat Jefferson down three times in the fifth round Friday to win the junior welterweight bout.

The scheduled 10-round fight was stopped with 13 seconds left in the round because of the three-knockdown rule.

Arguello, 33, weighed 141 1/2 as he improved his record to 79-6. Jefferson, 28, weighed 143 3/4 and fell to 25-6.

Arguello’s last previous fight was Sept. 9, 1983, when he was knocked out in the 10th round by Aaron Pryor. Arguello received more than $100,000 for Friday’s fight, according to his manager, Bill Miller.

Sam Glass of Tiffany Promotions said a contract has been signed for former junior-welterweight champion Billy Costello to fight Friday’s winner in February. Costello (26-1) lost his World Boxing Council title Aug. 21 to Lonnie Smith.