Salvador Sanchez: One of the greatest Featherweights ever! It was a such a shame that he died at the age of 23. I do beleive he died in a car crash, but correct me if I am wrong!
His career was cut short, the man probably had not even reached his prime yet, in terms of Boxing. Would and could Sanchez have gone on to bigger and greater heights in the Boxing world?
What matches do you think would have made, involving Sanchez, had he stayed alive? I do not know a great deal on Salvador Sanchez, therefore, could someone please tell me more about him?
I know he was a tremendous fighter, just from articles I have read about him! What was his style, strengths and weaknesses? What was his personality like in or out of the Ring? What was his most memorable bouts etc?
Sanchez just came into my mind about 5 minutes ago, and so I decided to post a topic on him!
Salvador Sanchez: How far could he have gone?
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Rocky Balboa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: 24 Jan 2004, 16:38
Salvadore is one of boxings most tragic stories as he was such an enormous talent and had so much to offer both in the ring and out.
If you look at his record he fought and beat all the top Feathers bar Euesbio Pedrosa. Perhaps his most famous win was a scintilating 8th rd ko over the great Wilfredo Gomez who at the time was considered one of the best fighters in the world p4p and was probably the favourite to win.
Sanchez was a complete fighter... he had speed, skill and underrated power... he was also very clever in the ring and could adapt his style to his opponents.
Sanchez found it hard to make featherweight and had the talent and the physical frame to move up in weight and win more world titles. I m sure he could have been a triple world champ.
When he died so tragically in a car crash he was being lined up to face Alexis Arguello for the world Lightweight crown... a fight I think he could have won.
Despite his tender years Sanchez still managed to make 9 defences of the World feather title before his death. In his last defence, just weeks before his fatal crash he koed Azhuma Nelson (who would become a great champion in his own right) in the 15th rd of a classic.
Sanchezs ambition was to become a doctor after he retired from fighting.
If you look at his record he fought and beat all the top Feathers bar Euesbio Pedrosa. Perhaps his most famous win was a scintilating 8th rd ko over the great Wilfredo Gomez who at the time was considered one of the best fighters in the world p4p and was probably the favourite to win.
Sanchez was a complete fighter... he had speed, skill and underrated power... he was also very clever in the ring and could adapt his style to his opponents.
Sanchez found it hard to make featherweight and had the talent and the physical frame to move up in weight and win more world titles. I m sure he could have been a triple world champ.
When he died so tragically in a car crash he was being lined up to face Alexis Arguello for the world Lightweight crown... a fight I think he could have won.
Despite his tender years Sanchez still managed to make 9 defences of the World feather title before his death. In his last defence, just weeks before his fatal crash he koed Azhuma Nelson (who would become a great champion in his own right) in the 15th rd of a classic.
Sanchezs ambition was to become a doctor after he retired from fighting.
Sanchez was close to moving up to super-featherweight when he died. He showed in his win over Azumah Nelson how great he would have been at the higher weight. Only Chavez would have threatened his superiority there, but even then I think Sanchez would have beaten his fellow Mexican. He loved opponents who came to him.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 13249
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
I think I've actualy driven along the road Sanchez died on - a lethal stretch of winding roads just outside Mexico City, heading up into the mountains.
I think he tried to overtake a truck or something - he loved his fast cars..
One of boxing's great tragedys - a fight with Arguello would've been one for the ages, and I've no idea who would've won either....
Probably my all time favorite fight was Sanchez/Gomez - what a night that was - The Battle Of The Little Giants.
I think he tried to overtake a truck or something - he loved his fast cars..
One of boxing's great tragedys - a fight with Arguello would've been one for the ages, and I've no idea who would've won either....
Probably my all time favorite fight was Sanchez/Gomez - what a night that was - The Battle Of The Little Giants.
"Sal" Sánchez is, despite his early death, one of the biggest heroes in Mexican boxing, compared only to JC Chávez and Rubén Olivares. This was mainly due to his devastating pummeling of Wilfrido Gomez, who until that fight was the Mexican boxers' nemesis.
I didn't see such fight, nor have I ever seen videos of it, but older people tell me that it was such a display of style and power, that everyone thought Sal would be on top for many, many years. His untimely death prevented all of us from seeing a great boxing career.
I didn't see such fight, nor have I ever seen videos of it, but older people tell me that it was such a display of style and power, that everyone thought Sal would be on top for many, many years. His untimely death prevented all of us from seeing a great boxing career.
Strangely, Sanchez was killed in the middle of the night when he was in training for a rematch with Juan Laporte at MSG in September '82. It was unlike him to be so indisciplined in training. There were even rumours he was rushing back before his trainers found out he was missing from camp.MightyWarrior wrote:I think I've actualy driven along the road Sanchez died on - a lethal stretch of winding roads just outside Mexico City, heading up into the mountains.
I think he tried to overtake a truck or something - he loved his fast cars..
One of boxing's great tragedys - a fight with Arguello would've been one for the ages, and I've no idea who would've won either....
Probably my all time favorite fight was Sanchez/Gomez - what a night that was - The Battle Of The Little Giants.
Nigel Collins in "Boxing Babylon" cites rumours he had visited a woman!
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knockout artist
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1482
- Joined: 03 Sep 2003, 13:18
Sanchez's performance against Gomez, is IMO, one of the greatest by any Featherweight in history.MightyWarrior wrote:I think I've actualy driven along the road Sanchez died on - a lethal stretch of winding roads just outside Mexico City, heading up into the mountains.
I think he tried to overtake a truck or something - he loved his fast cars..
One of boxing's great tragedys - a fight with Arguello would've been one for the ages, and I've no idea who would've won either....
Probably my all time favorite fight was Sanchez/Gomez - what a night that was - The Battle Of The Little Giants.
He had a cool fury about him that night.
I still get a shiver down my spine when I think about it.
Sanchez was great, BUT let's not forget he also had several very close, very tough fights against ordinary fighters (his split decision over Pat Cowdell springs to mind... and I think he had another split decision over Patrick Ford, too)... and also remember Azumah was a 13-fight novice who took the fight on only about a week or two notice (I think it was 10 days, to be exact, but I'm not sure)... and yet Nelson was winning the fight in mine own and many other peoples' opinions going into the last round, when he ran out of gas and got stopped.
Yeah but Keed, Pat Ford was a very tough fighter, Pat Cowdell was an excellent boxer who had everything except a ko punch... and Nelson was a very special fighter in his own right and demonstrated this through the rest of his career. Also Keed, don't forget that Sanchez was having trouble making the weight throughout his title reign... in the 5th rd of his fight with Nelson he told his trainer 'I feel very weak!' ... the fact that he was able to acheieve what he did during his reign while battling the scales and some very tough challengers speaks volumes for his talent and greatness... and he was only 23!... he wouldve got better... especially when freed from the Featherweight limit.
Sanchezs fight with Gomez was indeed a classic... he gave as perfect a performance as I 've ever seen from a boxer... the atmosphere of the night comes through even on video..... right from the start with the bands playing in the ring to the amazing action in the ring with the crowd in hysterics... alongside Sanchez's brilliance Gomez gives one of the bravest performances I ve ever seen ...Salvadore nearly has to nail him to the floor to keep him down.
I would have loved to have been in the crowd for this fight.
I would have loved to have been in the crowd for this fight.
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crooked nose
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 284
- Joined: 17 Oct 2003, 18:54
Interesting question. Sanchez was one of the most effective, well-rounded fighters I have ever seen. Power, speed, stamina, great chin, brilliant defense. Still, I have my doubts whether he could have sustained his success. Could he have beaten the cagey (and dirty) Eusebio Pedroza? I would have loved seeing Pedroza flattened (a la Zamora) but Sanchez had trouble with tall, lanky opponents. I also think Nelson could have won a rematch. Sanchez-Arguello is really one to ponder. I don't think Sanchez would have enough power at 135 to hurt or stop Arguello, but if he stuck to boxing he could take a decision.
And how would Sanchez have fared against Lockridge, Rosario, J.L. Ramirez, Camacho or J.C. Chavez? He would have chewed up Mancini.
And how would Sanchez have fared against Lockridge, Rosario, J.L. Ramirez, Camacho or J.C. Chavez? He would have chewed up Mancini.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 13249
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
Yeah it's sad we'll never know how Salvador would have got on as he moved up the weights. He had a chin of iron: Gomez and Danny Lopez, two of the biggest hitters you'll ever see, just bounced punches off his chin and his expression never changed ( not that they landed many ).
And of course Nelson was no slouch either. Even at such an early stage the Ghanian was just phenominal - I don't think there's many fighters who could've stayed with him that night, he might even have beaten Pedroza.
Graham Houston of the UK's Boxing News ( now with Boxing Monthly ) predicted a win for Sanchez before the Gomez fight. I remember thinking this guy's crazy, no way can Sal live with the fearsome Gomez....how wrong can you be: Sanchez won that fight in the first round with a ferocious assault that pretty much destroyed the Puerto Rican then and there.
Like Silkov says, it was only Gomez' amazing heart that kept him going till the 8th.
To this day, Wilfredo insists he didn't train for the fight and would've won a rematch..
And of course Nelson was no slouch either. Even at such an early stage the Ghanian was just phenominal - I don't think there's many fighters who could've stayed with him that night, he might even have beaten Pedroza.
Graham Houston of the UK's Boxing News ( now with Boxing Monthly ) predicted a win for Sanchez before the Gomez fight. I remember thinking this guy's crazy, no way can Sal live with the fearsome Gomez....how wrong can you be: Sanchez won that fight in the first round with a ferocious assault that pretty much destroyed the Puerto Rican then and there.
Like Silkov says, it was only Gomez' amazing heart that kept him going till the 8th.
To this day, Wilfredo insists he didn't train for the fight and would've won a rematch..
Gomez was overrated IMO. Aside from his win over Carlos Zarate, he pretty much dominated a weak division (and when you think about it, Zarate was another guy who also dominated a weak division, and only had one truly big win at his weight). When Gomez stepped up his level of comp. against other surefire Hall of Famers like Sanchez and Nelson, he got eaten alive. And you notice in those fights, his supposedly "big" punches, that he had used to stretch out all those mediocre opponents, had almost no effect on those two top notch guys.
But Keed, Gomez took the Junior Feather title because he couldn't get a shot at the Bantam title.... he totally destroyed Zarate who was considered invincible at the time, he also beat Davila, Meza, Royal Kobayashi, Laporte and Lupe Pintor... if these are mediocre opponents name me some 'quality' contenders. Likewise if Zarates opposition was weak what does that make the quality of the little men of today?... Zarate would have destroyed the likes of Tapia, Ayala, Barrera and Morales as would have Gomez.... and Sanchez!... well, need I say more!...
Wilfredo Gomez was a superb jr featherweight. Among other things, he had flashy lateral movement, a rapier-like jab and a follow up right hook that was absolutely devastating. His 2 fisted attack was unparalell at 122 and I think it still is.
To take away anything from his KO of that great bantam that was Carlos Zarate is totally unfair. Zarate was such a powerhouse you'd be hard pressed to find anybody in the history of his division that could punch like him. Just like it is completely unfair to take away anything from the Sanchez KO of Gomez. Even so, to me his greatest win was against Lupe Pintor. A classic from the 80s no doubt. More than a great puncher he proved that night that he was a true warrior.
Also, by the time Gomez was stopped by Nelson his legs were long gone and his effectiveness had gone downhill. He wasnt half the fighter he once was after 1983, to me the Pintor fight was his last hurrah in that sense. But the Bazooka from 1978-1982 was an All Time Great. Make no mistake about it.
To take away anything from his KO of that great bantam that was Carlos Zarate is totally unfair. Zarate was such a powerhouse you'd be hard pressed to find anybody in the history of his division that could punch like him. Just like it is completely unfair to take away anything from the Sanchez KO of Gomez. Even so, to me his greatest win was against Lupe Pintor. A classic from the 80s no doubt. More than a great puncher he proved that night that he was a true warrior.
Also, by the time Gomez was stopped by Nelson his legs were long gone and his effectiveness had gone downhill. He wasnt half the fighter he once was after 1983, to me the Pintor fight was his last hurrah in that sense. But the Bazooka from 1978-1982 was an All Time Great. Make no mistake about it.
Yes, Pintor was good, and Gomez had to go all out to beat him. Other than that, though, I wouldn't go to crazy over too many of the other wins he had. And I don't see how Zarate was such a clear winner over any of the guys you mentioned (or Gomez either, for that matter). If fact, it's pretty bold IMO to put Zarate over any quality jr. feather, seeing as he never had a major win at that weight.silkov wrote:But Keed, Gomez took the Junior Feather title because he couldn't get a shot at the Bantam title.... he totally destroyed Zarate who was considered invincible at the time, he also beat Davila, Meza, Royal Kobayashi, Laporte and Lupe Pintor... if these are mediocre opponents name me some 'quality' contenders. Likewise if Zarates opposition was weak what does that make the quality of the little men of today?... Zarate would have destroyed the likes of Tapia, Ayala, Barrera and Morales as would have Gomez.... and Sanchez!... well, need I say more!...
Too right Broncano, Zarate goes down in history alongside Ruben Olivares and Al brown as one of the biggest punchers ever in that division as well as one of it's best champions.
Also Gomez was never really the same fighter after his win epic over Pintor (a great Bantam in his own right) ...yet he still managed to beat Laporte and Lockridge to pick up two more world titles. He was also one of the bravest fighters I ve seen ever... his defeats at the hands of Sanchez, Nelson and Layne illustrate that... his fight against Alfredo Layne when he lost his Junior Lightweight title is the bavest display I ve ever seen from a champion... though obviously very faded he literally threw himself at Layne trying to get ko win, till exhastion and Lanes youth and strength got to him. It is a heartbreaking but also uplifting fight to watch... Gomez was a warrior through and through.....
Also Gomez was never really the same fighter after his win epic over Pintor (a great Bantam in his own right) ...yet he still managed to beat Laporte and Lockridge to pick up two more world titles. He was also one of the bravest fighters I ve seen ever... his defeats at the hands of Sanchez, Nelson and Layne illustrate that... his fight against Alfredo Layne when he lost his Junior Lightweight title is the bavest display I ve ever seen from a champion... though obviously very faded he literally threw himself at Layne trying to get ko win, till exhastion and Lanes youth and strength got to him. It is a heartbreaking but also uplifting fight to watch... Gomez was a warrior through and through.....
Actually, the Lockridge win was a gift.silkov wrote:Too right Broncano, Zarate goes down in history alongside Ruben Olivares and Al brown as one of the biggest punchers ever in that division as well as one of it's best champions.
Also Gomez was never really the same fighter after his win epic over Pintor (a great Bantam in his own right) ...yet he still managed to beat Laporte and Lockridge to pick up two more world titles. He was also one of the bravest fighters I ve seen ever... his defeats at the hands of Sanchez, Nelson and Layne illustrate that... his fight against Alfredo Layne when he lost his Junior Lightweight title is the bavest display I ve ever seen from a champion... though obviously very faded he literally threw himself at Layne trying to get ko win, till exhastion and Lanes youth and strength got to him. It is a heartbreaking but also uplifting fight to watch... Gomez was a warrior through and through.....
But yes, he did have enormous heart.
Sorry Keed, but for you to question the ability of Carlos Zarate I have to question your knowledge of the fight game... especially the 70s scene... have you seen Zarate fight?... have you heard of Alberto Davila, Kid Meza, Royal Kobayashi, Juan Laporte, Juan Lopez... like I said earlier if you think that the quality of Gomez's, Sanchez's and Zarates opposition was poor to moderate please give me a list of a superior contenders.
The contenders of the 70s were extremely talented and in most cases would totally overwhelme the present day Bantams. Fighters Like Tapia, Danny Romeo and Ayala are, despite being good fighters, in a lower league to Gomez, Zarate, Pintor and Sanchez... and I think that most knowledgable and experienced followers of boxing would agree with me!.
The contenders of the 70s were extremely talented and in most cases would totally overwhelme the present day Bantams. Fighters Like Tapia, Danny Romeo and Ayala are, despite being good fighters, in a lower league to Gomez, Zarate, Pintor and Sanchez... and I think that most knowledgable and experienced followers of boxing would agree with me!.
Keed you make it sound like that was all he had. But in fact his heart was all he had LEFT.
The Layne fight was very emotional indeed, the will was there but like I said the legs, the movement, the speed and snap, all of that was gone. And the atmosphere for all of those fights in Puerto Rico was just incredible.
The Layne fight was very emotional indeed, the will was there but like I said the legs, the movement, the speed and snap, all of that was gone. And the atmosphere for all of those fights in Puerto Rico was just incredible.
Gomez was as true a warrior as you'll find in boxing, but at his peak he was like Sanchez the complete boxer with great speed and skill as well as power. His fight with Lockridge has always been controversial but I have it on tape and no way was it a robbery... it was a close fight and Gomez finsihed very strongly despite suffering a severe throat injury which damaged his vocal cords permanently.
Saying Zarate fought no one is basically silly... he dominated a very talented division ...look at his record Keed!... he also beat the very dangerous and unbeaten huge punching sensation Alfonszo Zamora in a mini-superfight!.... what constitutes good opposition in your mind Keed?... perhaps you should stick with the Heavyweights?...
Saying Zarate fought no one is basically silly... he dominated a very talented division ...look at his record Keed!... he also beat the very dangerous and unbeaten huge punching sensation Alfonszo Zamora in a mini-superfight!.... what constitutes good opposition in your mind Keed?... perhaps you should stick with the Heavyweights?...
Now that silkov's said it I also like to ask, keed: WHo isn't overrated by your standards?? I dont mean this as a way to antagonise or anything, but I've seen you use the word with such regularity that I'm somewhat curious to know.silkov wrote:Gomez was as true a warrior as you'll find in boxing, but at his peak he was like Sanchez the complete boxer with great speed and skill as well as power. His fight with Lockridge has always been controversial but I have it on tape and no way was it a robbery... it was a close fight and Gomez finsihed very strongly despite suffering a severe throat injury which damaged his vocal cords permanently.
Saying Zarate fought no one is basically silly... he dominated a very talented division ...look at his record Keed!... he also beat the very dangerous and unbeaten huge punching sensation Alfonszo Zamora in a mini-superfight!.... what constitutes good opposition in your mind Keed?... perhaps you should stick with the Heavyweights?...
contenders that were not around 
during the times of Gomez, Zarate, Sanchez, Pintor... or that they avoided!... 8) . 
I was referring to Zamora whan I said he had one major win. But who else did he beat that was so special? Martinez was decent, but not great... then there was a couple guys with nice padded records, who never really did anything else in their careers... and then there were total nobodies who are hardly worth mentioning. Even Zamora never did much else after his loss to Zarate. It was HARDLY a talent-laden division.silkov wrote:Saying Zarate fought no one is basically silly... he dominated a very talented division ...look at his record Keed!... he also beat the very dangerous and unbeaten huge punching sensation Alfonszo Zamora in a mini-superfight!.... what constitutes good opposition in your mind Keed?...
Eh?perhaps you should stick with the Heavyweights?...
