Art "Golden Boy" Aragon 1954

Much of the sheen of the "Golden Boy," Art Aragon, has worn off in recent years because of bad showings he's made and because of the defeats he's suffered, but the cocky welterweight still must be considered a top man in his class. Art, for example, has been decisively whipped when he's tackled the champions or top contenders. Jimmy Carter gave Aragon his worst trouncing in 1951 when Art tried to win the lightweight crown. Earlier Carter had lost to Aragon in a non-title match. Billy Graham decisioned Art early to halt a six-match victory string. And while Aragon bested Chuck Davey in Los Angeles, the verdict was questionable and unpopular. But Art's over-all record is good.

Unpopularity is nonthing new to Aragon, who works out of Los Angeles. His sneering remarks about other fighters, his cafe brawls, his showy behavior has long had press and public alike against him. Nevertheless, arrogant Art is a torrid box-office attraction on the West Coast. From 1950 through 1953, for example, his 23 bouts drew over $620,000 in gate revenue. The fans flock to the Stadium to see the brash, 26-year-old welterweight get his just deserts. He's always booed upon entering the ring wearing a gold robe. Once Aragon retaliated by thumbing his nose at the crowd.

The controversial, "colorful" Aragon hails from the sunbaked state of New Mexico. He turned professional at Los Angeles in 1944, after having worked as a laborer in a dairy plant. A speedy boxer with concealed dynamite in both hands, he ran up a phenomenal string of kayoes although his opposition at first was limited solely to West Coast local talent. His initail big win was over Enrique Bolanos and he's had good wins over Johnny Gonsalves and Lauro Salas. Art is managed by patient Jimmy Roach who has made Aragon rich beyond his dreams. Most boxing insiders feel Aragon hasn't a chance to cop welterweight honors unless he trains seriously and cuts out his screwball tactics. Meanwhile, though, they're paying off.