Salvador Sanchez: Counterpunch
“I’m convinced that Salvador Sanchez was the best Mexican fighter of all time. Even better than Julio Cesar Chavez.” — Wilfredo Gomez
“He consistently showed the understanding and awareness of a veteran in his early twenties, a testimony perhaps to the number of fights and defenses he crammed into his short career. As a veteran, he might have attained the rare heights of strategic genius reserved for the likes of Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins.” — Matt McGrain
A few days ago we marked the anniversary of one of the most significant bouts in featherweight history, as well as a premier clash in the singular Mexico vs Puerto Rico boxing rivalry. When Wilfredo Gomez challenged Salvador Sanchez for the Mexican’s featherweight title belt, it was a huge event for Latin American fight fans, and, considering Gomez’s status at the time as perhaps the best boxer on the planet pound-for-pound, it was a monumental victory for the highly skilled ringman some called “Chava.” So what better time to pay tribute to a truly great champion by bringing you Lee Wylie‘s excellent breakdown of this great featherweight’s unique and highly sophisticated counterpunching style.
Sanchez’s championship reign was relatively short, but just long enough for the Mexican warrior to establish himself as one of the greatest featherweights of all-time. In 1982 he died in a car accident at the age of 23, but, amazingly, he had already won eleven straight championship fights, including historic wins over fellow Hall of Famers Danny Lopez, Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson.
When many boxing fans hear the term “counterpuncher,” they naturally think first of a defensive-minded pugilist such as Floyd Mayweather or Guillermo Rigondeaux, a boxer who waits for the opponent to initiate before striking. But Sanchez was something altogether different, an aggressive counter-puncher, ruthless and calculating, patient and precise. As Wylie notes, there were different facets to Salvador’s technique, but he was most dangerous as a counterpuncher.
So enjoy another Lee Wylie masterpiece and appreciate again the ring brilliance of the fistic legend who James Toney calls, “The greatest Mexican fighter of all-time … Period. Hands down.” Check it out:
You can’t tell me that Lomachenko did not study this man. WOW
For me Chavez is the greatest Mexican fighter of all times. His record in title fights is top notch, plus he faced the best fighters in every division he fought in.
Sanchez would have boxed his ears off
He didn’t “box the ears off” of Ruben Castillo or Juan LaPorte. Believe me when I say he wouldn’t have “boxed the ears off” of Chavez. We’re talking a whole other animal here. Ruben Castillo said Chavez not only beats Sanchez, but would’ve knocked him out. His words, not mine. I’m a fan of both and I don’t know who would win as I could see both men winning. It’s hard to imagine either one losing. But, to say Sanchez would box the ears of Chavez off is, well, silly and ignorant.
It may not be so ignorant and silly when you take into account that Sanchez had very stiff competition in his short career when compared to Chavez. You also forget Chavez for all his greatness was extremely limited in his defense. He relied on his chin to pull him through his toughest fights, Taylor being a prime example. Fact is Chava was more versatile, and he had power as well, factor that in with counter-punching, it could go like Chava vs Gomez. Let’s not forget Chavez was gifted the win with Wittaker, Chavez struggled mightily with talented outboxers. In contrast, what held Chava back was his lack of experience, most notably seen with Laporte and Castillo.
One of the best 👌
Man, I love this video…must have watched it 2 dozen times already. For me Ricardo Lopez, Juan Manuel Marquez and Salvador Sanchez are 3 of my top 4 all time favorite fighters.
A huge thank you for the great work Mr. Wylie. If I may, a request of Lopez or Marquez would be much drooled over by this affectionado. Thanks for the great work as always.
Mis respetos para los (sal y chavez) pero si son conocedores de boxeo no nos basemos en su record! Simplemente para elegir quien y porque saldría ganador en una pelea entre ambos,consideremos las CUALIDADES d cada uno y sin temor a equivocarme y ud amable lector tiene la respuesta… Sal Sanchez fue un boxeador completo es decir tenía y lo demostró ,defensa,piernas,INTELIGENCIA! Ataque,resistencia y LA MEJOR CONDICIÓN FÍSICA,QUE SE HALLA VISTO EN LA HISTORIA DEL BOXEO… Con estas Singulares aptitudes, es el ganador en esta pelea ficticia indiscutiblemente( como lo explica Mike Tyson,entre mejor boxeador seas ese Sanchez te patea el culo es un un gran hijo d puta… es decir con boxeador d menos calidad ganaba decisiones pero si su oponente era bueno siempre estaba un paso adelante y los acababa… Saludos
Sal was a different breed, not the typical Mexican boxer. His style, utilizing the ring, keeping his composure, analyzing his opponents — very different. It was like he was in a game of chess, taking each piece one at a time. But do not underestimate his ability to pounce if the opportunity arises. Oh, I miss him.
I’ve never understood that cliché of “typical Mexican boxer.” Kid Azteca, Canto, Salvidar, Zarate, Chavez, Lopez, Barrera, Morales, Marquez and others were all technical and sophisticated boxers. They didn’t just wade in and throw haymakers and “take two to land one”. It’s as if Ruben Olivares is the Mexican prototype. Well, he isn’t. All ethnicities, black, white, brown, yellow, purple — it doesn’t matter. They all have representatives of the boxer, the brawler, the boxer-puncher. Sanchez wasn’t a different breed; he fell in a long line of great Mexican “scientific” pugilists.
What is most sad is that despite all of his achievements in the ring, the man was still years away from his boxing prime! I can envision him moving up in weight and easily winning multiple titles. Truly a great fighter and a tragic ending. May he RIP.
You’re completely right! He always knew how to win.
Best ever pound for pound in my opinion. Thank you Lee Wylie for this awesome breakdown of Sal’s moves!
One of my favorite champs with Duran, Ali and Arguello.
Salvador Sanchez is pound-for-pound and inch-for-inch the number one of all-time. And not just in Mexico. All others not even close.
Salvador Sanchez had the potential to be’ as good as Sugar Ray Leonard.