Sanchez lost his life today, August 12.

[bennie]

Salvador Sanchez died 26 years ago today, on a lonely mountain road north of Mexico City, at the tender age of 23, although he looked and fought much older.
The flat-nosed, square-jawed, bushy-haired, ice-cool Mexican had already racked up nine defences of his WBC featherweight title and was on the cusp of greatness - true greatness - when fate intervened. Oh yes, the best years still lay ahead for the man who never wasted a punch, sneered at any landed in return and 'owned' the 15th round like few others. There were to be classics, surely, with Alexis Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez, Azumah Nelson (again) and even Hector Camacho, the chance to go unbeaten throughout the 1980s, as Chavez would do, the chance to prove himelf the best fighter Mexico has ever produced...
It was not to be.
Funny, Eusebio Pedroza, that feisty, well-travelled Panamanian who later lost to Barry McGuigan, was never even considered as an opponent for Sanchez during their consecutive reigns (Pedroza as WBA champ). Pedroza and Sanchez were probably too busy racing each other to the next defence to square up themselves. After Sanchez ended the frightening, thrill-a-second reign of "Little Red" Lopez on a breathtaking stoppage in February 1980, and repeated the feat just a few months later, it was Wilfredo Gomez, Ruben Castillo, Patrick Ford, Pat Cowdell, Juan Laporte, Roberto Castanon, Jorge Garcia and Nelson, seemingly weeks apart, who challenged the precocious champ. Pushovers? His 10 opponents after winning the title (one non-title) possessed a combined record of 300-14-1.
So what was a man of such legendary prolificacy, discipline and dedication doing out in his Porsche in the early hours of August 12? He was already preparing for a rematch with Laporte in Madison Square Garden on September 15, 1982, scene of his fabulous display against the then unknown Nelson in the July. Married, with two young boys, he may have been dashing back to training camp before his absence was noticed, and was known to enjoy the company of women. He was driving so fast, his car hit the back of a moving lorry and still crushed him instantly.
Only his gold ring could be recognised.

[Poncey]

Weirdly my copy of the Lopez Sanchez fight arrived yesterday. I can't wait to watch it tonight.

RING magazine said the KO was "perfect".

RIP.

[Captain Hook]

What a fighter - RIP

[Coco]

Pat did done proper fantasic against him

[Old bones Ian]

A very big loss at the time.

I've never seen the Pat Cowdell fight, was it close?

[bennie]

Pat boxed out of his skin and forced Sanchez to open up in the last to make sure of victory, although the iron-jawed, impassive Mexican great would have won on two of the cards anyway.
Sanchez put Cowdell down, heavily, in that 15th round and retained on a split decision.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Young men and cars, often not a good mix, drive home safely - RIP

[Gray-Fox]

Great fighter.

[Scrap]

Althougth a good Fighter, He never did it for me,

[Rocky Balboa]

Good post mate, imagine what he would of done th Mcguigan.

Imagine what he could/would have done had things been different? Its amazing to think Salvador was so young, yet he was such a seasoned fighter. I truly feel Sanchez could & would have moved up in weight & won more titles.

Some might say he had been in some tough, tough fights for someone so young, but its those tough bouts that help you stay focused, stay sharp & not lose motivation. One of Sanchez' best attributes, was his ability to remain calm under pressure, see out the storm if you like, then dish out his own punches & make them count.

Sanchez could box, punch, fight on the inside, outside, etc. Had he not passed away, I think Sanchez would have moved up in weight pretty soon after his win over Azumah Nelson. Its not secret that Sanchez didn't find it easy making 126lbs. Who knows, up at 130lbs, 135lbs, he may have been sharper, stronger 7 not as depleted as much?

One of the all-time greats, without a shaadow of a doubt!

May you rest in peace, Mr Sanchez!

They certainly don't make fighters like the great Salvador any more!

[THEBUTCH]

Well remembered. What a fighter! One can only imagine what he might have gone on to achieve.

I think Cowdell's challenge must be considered one of the best in British history.

[bennie]

You know, I don't think I've ever seen a better performance than the one Sanchez gave against Wilfredo Gomez.
Sheer perfection.

[TerribleTerry]

I think Cowdell's challenge must be considered one of the best in British history.

I agree. The Warley man fought like a lion that day. Great display.

In this day and age Pat would have been a 'world' champ, no doubt.

As for Sanchez, he is the greatest mexican of them all for my money, alongside JC Chavez.

A mercurial talent.

[THEBUTCH]

Ricardo Lopez would be up there with Sanchez too IMO.

[hitman_hatton1]

great post bennie. :)

sanchez was a great fighter alright.

it annoys me when people call naz a great fighter.

sanchez would have countered his big jug ears off.

[chesh]

You know, I don't think I've ever seen a better performance than the one Sanchez gave against Wilfredo Gomez.
Sheer perfection.

I can't see any featherweight in history beating Sanchez that night.