The Battle of the Little Giants: 35 Years Later

[elmersalsa]

It was a Friday night of August 21, 1981 in Las Vegas, NV. Two all time greats, young and in their primes went at it in this featherweight title showdown between Salvador Sanchez, 22, of Mexico vs Puerto Rico's idol Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, 25.

It was a Latin fight atmosphere never seen in a super fight before or since in American tv audiences. A terrific atmosphere to say the least. An unforgettable night of an unforgettable decade of great super fights. No matter the outcome, this fight was going to bring us something special. And it did.

Sanchez, the WBC World Featherweight Champion, took Bazooka apart for 8 rounds. He started it off by knocking Gomez down in the very first round. It was the beginning of the end. Embarrassed by the knockdown in the first round, Gomez kept coming. He went to work. He couldn't let his country men down. But, the more he came at Salvador, the more of a beating he took. Gomez was brave. He had an undeniable courage for a great champion. He was considered by boxing critics of the time, as the best fighter pound per pound in the world at the time. He had an enviable record of 32-0-1. All his wins were by knockout! He even avenged the draw by KO in a result of 32 straight wins by the KO route. He was the WBC Super bantamweight world champion.

But Sanchez graduated to the next level. He outboxed, thrashed, bombed and outclassed Gomez in one of boxing's all time greatest performances that I have ever witnessed. I don't think on that night, no featherweight in history would have beaten him. Not the greats like Willie Pep. Not the great Sandy Saddler. Not the great Vicente Saldivar. Alexis Arguello. Eusebio Pedroza. Not even Henry Armstrong! Sanchez was in the zone. He was at all cylinders. He gave us something special to remember.

By the 6th round, Gomez had both eyes shut. One broken cheek bone. He was a total mess by the massacre given by this curly-haired counterpunching Mexican. Some in the crowd begged the fight to be stopped. But Gomez didn't want none of that. He was going to die in that ring like a true warrior. But, it was inevitable. Referee Carlos Padilla of the Philippines stopped the contest after Gomez went almost off the ring. Only the roles held him. Padilla had seen enough, and Sanchez won by a 8th round TKO. It was Gomez' first defeat. His most humiliating effort. Sanchez became a true all time great and a world super star.

The Ring in Spanish wrote in the front cover months later in their publication: "Mexico Tiene Un Salvador!" Meaning, "Mexico Has a Savior!"
For those who don't know the Spanish language, Salvador means Savior.