Salvador Sanchez vs Danny Lopez I: 35 Years Later

[elmersalsa]

Relatively unknown out of Mexico, one the boxing legends became WBC World Featherweight Boxing Champion by tearing apart long time champion Danny Lopez of Los Angeles, CA. It was good fight for 13 rounds, but Sanchez had the fight under control with accurate punching and excellent speed. "Little Red" did not had an answer for Salvador on this date of February 2, 1980 in Phoenix, AZ. The commentators of CBS, Tim Ryan and Gil Clancy, could not believe what was happening to "Little Red". He was getting ouboxed, outpunched and Danny was getting weaker as the fight went on and Sanchez more stronger. This was another phenom, they said. By round 13th, the referee, Waldemar Schmidt of Germany, saw enough and a legend was born. A national Mexican hero was their new superstar.

Unfortunately, Sanchez died of a car crash 2 years later. But boy, what a prime and what a fighter we witnessed!
Long live the great Salvador Sanchez!

[Counter-puncher]

One of THE great performances of the last 40 years.

[elmersalsa]

The corrections:
1. The commentators were Tim Ryan and Angelo Dundee
2. Waldemar Schmidt, the referee, was from Puerto Rico, not from Germany as I posted.

[palooka]

It's incredible how good Sanchez was so young, he had a very brave method of countering as well, I've always admired those that stayed in range and slip and counter - he was a master boxer.

[AngryGoon38]

Too bad Lopez and his camp didnt know any better to avoid/duck Sanchez. I would've had i been
Lopez and knew how Freaky Good Sanchez was. I would've said,"I aint fighting that freak of nature",let Eusubio Pedroza fight em instead,or better yet,lets all force this Freak Sanchez kid(No Pun intended) to jump up to 130,or even 135 and take on Arguello,since the jr lw's probably would've ducked em as well if they knew how unusually extra-ordinary he was.

Lopez would've extended his carear as well as title reign by a good couple years had him and his camp known better to avoid certain unusually able bodied foes like Salvador Sanchez.
I feel the same as far as Cuevas defending against Hearns. He could've easily ducked Tommy,played it safe and stayed WBA champ for several more years and given us many more entertaining Butcher Beatings. Instead,like Lopez,he became a ruined fighter for not knowing to be a smart businessman and avoid certain adversaries. After all,boxing is a business and merely sport as opposed to a gladiator forced into an overwhelming battle against overwhelming opposition.

[Nile4000]

Too bad Lopez and his camp didnt know any better to avoid/duck Sanchez. I would've had i been
Lopez and knew how Freaky Good Sanchez was. I would've said,"I aint fighting that freak of nature",let Eusubio Pedroza fight em instead,or better yet,lets all force this Freak Sanchez kid(No Pun intended) to jump up to 130,or even 135 and take on Arguello,since the jr lw's probably would've ducked em as well if they knew how unusually extra-ordinary he was.

Lopez would've extended his carear as well as title reign by a good couple years had him and his camp known better to avoid certain unusually able bodied foes like Salvador Sanchez.
I feel the same as far as Cuevas defending against Hearns. He could've easily ducked Tommy,played it safe and stayed WBA champ for several more years and given us many more entertaining Butcher Beatings. Instead,like Lopez,he became a ruined fighter for not knowing to be a smart businessman and avoid certain adversaries. After all,boxing is a business and merely sport as opposed to a gladiator forced into an overwhelming battle against overwhelming opposition.

Don't think Danny could have lasted even a year if he didn't fight Sanchez.someone would have caught up to him, a Lockridge, LaPorte, even a Castillo.Same with Cuevas, who would have lost to a Curry, McCrory, even a Starling or Young.His time was passing.

[palooka]

Not to mention the wear and tear on both Lopez and Curves, they weren't factory fresh - they'd both taken real punishment even in winning fights.

[SenorPipino]

I remember watching the Lopez-Sanchez bout at the Nite Owl bar in Alhambra, CA. It was a major San Gabriel Valley boxing hangout since it was owned by the Georgino brothers, Carmen and Pat. Of course Benny Georgino managed and trained Lopez.

This was during the days before much cable or satellite and the fight was being telecast on the usual 3 hour West Coast delay at the bar.
When I got there, I knew immediately what the result was.
Usually packed for big bouts, the usually raucous lounge was practically empty; a virtual morgue, and Carmen, working as the bartender, was obviously distraught.

He barely glanced at the television during the broadcast but muttered about how Lopez had sustained a rib injury during training that must have contributed to his poor performance.
Watching the bout unfold, I figured that the years and punches had finally taken their toll on a shot Little Red, but nevertheless assured the aging Carmen that a rematch would yield a different result.

What else could I say?

[palooka]

It must be very difficult viewing when someone is close to the losing fighter; when Sanchez cut loose with his combinations he went through Lopez' defence like a knife through butter.