This Month In Boxing History: Salvador Sanchez Becomes Featherweight Champion!

He was deceiving to the eye. His smile was crooked in a goofy teenager fashion; his curly hair always looked in desperate need of a trim. Other than a flat nose, one would never have guessed this kid was a professional fighter.

Even those who did know of him could have never guessed the young man born in Santiago, Tianguistenco, Mexico, who turned professional boxer at the age of 16, would become a legend before his time.

Sanchez made his debut in Veracruz, Mexico and ran a string of victories up to 18-0 before meeting Antonio Becerra, a crafty veteran who had less fights in the pro ranks, sporting a record of 13-2 at the time, but possessing more all around experience.

After a hard fought bout for the vacant Mexican Bantamweight Championship, Becerra was given the win by narrow split decision. The bout would be a learning experience for Sanchez and his lone career defeat.

Sanchez would go another 16 bouts, winning 15, ten by KO and one draw before getting a second chance at becoming champion. This time, it would not be for a regional or national title but for the WBC Featherweight title, held by another all time great, who by this time had already cemented his legacy, Danny “Little Red” Lopez!

On February 2, 1980, the champion Lopez entered the ring as a favorite; he held wins over Mike Ayala in a bout that was named Ring Magazine’s 1979 Fight of the Year and Sean OʼGrady.

Sanchez was still unknown, having fought outside of Mexico only a few times in small venues and against limited competition. Those in the arena and watching on television expected a short night when the 21 year old Sanchez entered the ring, instead they received a glimpse of greatness on the rise.

The bout itself would start off fairly even as the champion sized up his challenger. Sanchez needed no time to adjust or size Lopez up. He went after Lopez with fury, wanting the champion to stand and trade shots.

Every time that Lopez would start a rally or win a round, Sanchez would increase the pressure. By the 13th round, Lopez was beaten, bullied and outfought. Referee Waldemar Schmidt was forced to call a halt to the bout, giving Salvador Sanchez the WBC World Featherweight Championship and Danny Lopez his first defeat in over five years and 18 bouts.

Some in attendance say the result became obvious after the second round, while Lopez supporters say Sanchez was lucky that night and that “Little Red” underestimated Salvador. In a post fight press conference, Lopez called Sanchez “Lucky”.

Sanchez rematched Lopez four months later and the result was the same with exception that Lopez lasted one more round. “Little Red” only fought once more and was knocked out in three by an unknown journeyman with a 10-24 record.

Sanchez would defend his title six times, including the rematch with Lopez, before gaining world-wide fame. That fame came at the expense of another all-time great, Wilfredo Gomez, who at the time of their meeting was undefeated with a 32-0 record.

Sanchez stopped Gomez in the eighth round, and the win made Salvador a household name among even casual boxing fans. His last great victory came in July of 1982 when Sanchez faced future Hall of Fame resident Azuma Nelson.

The two fought a tough back and forth battle until the 15th round when Nelson was stopped for the first time in his career.

Sanchez was in negotiations for what many felt would have been one of boxing’s all time great bouts against Alexis Arguello when he died in a car accident just one month after his victory over Nelson. While he was only 23 years old, Sanchez had become one of boxing’s most beloved warriors; his death was a shock to the sporting world.

The mystique about Sanchez was that he had a record of 44-1-1 (32), he defended his title nine times and at 23, had yet to reach his peak. There are always debates on exactly how good would he have been if he had not died in that accident. It will always be one of the most talked about subjects between die hard boxing fans.

Exactly how much further Sanchez would have gone or how much better Sanchez could have gotten, we will never know. One thing is certain, that is on February 2, 1980, Salvador Sanchez arrived and took his place among the elite by beating Danny Lopez for the WBC Featherweight title, forever cementing the nickname “Chava” in the minds of those who witnessed it.