The Best Mexican Fighters of all Time - Bleacher Report

[Scrap]

I loved Ruben Olivares at Bantam ,at his best before the white powder got Him. He was special, Had it all.

[KananKrus]

Definitely the list should at least be 8-10, considering how many of them are almost equal in skill at 4-7, ...how closely bunched up they are in the middle of the list. Sometimes it just boils down to personal preference for style, endurance and the like, ...trivial advantage one has over the other. That is how finely separated the list is after JCC Sr., SS, maybe MAB and EM.

[holmcall]

Salvador Sanchez es mejores!!

[CutMeMick]

I loved Ruben Olivares at Bantam ,at his best before the white powder got Him. He was special, Had it all.

The alcohol got him 1st then the powder came after that regardless Ruben was phenomenal.

Before JCC there was "El Puas" Olivares, Mexicos most adored champion.

[Violent Demise]

Salvador Sanchez was like 23 when he died, but he had already beaten Danny LopezX2, Ruben Castillo, Wilfredo Gomez, and Azumah Nelson, he might not have the longest legacy, but he was 18 when he lost a split decision.

Ricardo Finito Lopez was a great fighter, but he didn't really fight anyone special, and the best guy he fought put up a really good fight in Alvarez.

Lopez is hurt by the fact that he fought in Boxing's smallest division. Which is the most ignored division. But just cuz a lot people don't know the fighters doesn't mean there not good. Alvarez, Sorjaturong and Grigsby were outstanding fighters. Several others were very good. Lopez was a great fighter. He had great skills. And he also had great heart. A lot of people don't know that the second fight with Alvarez really shouldn't of happened. Alvarez came in over weight. But Lopez was still bothered by the draw in there first fight. So he said "who cares" we still fighting. He got the SD win over the bigger Alvarez in a great fight

Sanchez was a great fighter. No denying that. But the fact that he died early I think has elevated his status more than it should. He had some great wins. But there easy to pick at. Lopez I think was a one-dimensional fighter. He was good. But he was no where near great. Gomez was great. But he fought Sanchez above his best weight. He was the smaller fighter. Nelson put up a great effort. But come now. That was a pre-prime Nelson. He was still a little green. Before Sanchez died there was talk of him facing Alexis Arguello. A fight I think he would of lost.

Factor every thing in and I rate Lopez over Sanchez

[Julius Rain]

This is a tough tough list to make.

I think majority of the poeple will put JCC at number 1, right?

I really can't agree to that. I really think in Sanchez short career he had accomplish so much more then JCC. However in Sanchez case, who knows what would of happen if he had fought past 23. Boxing is unpredictable and it may be unlikely but what if he would go downhill from there if he had been able to continue his career. Lopez maybe the most skilled p4p fighter we ever saw, but his resume is suspect. He just didn't have competition, unlike the other great. Having said these I would put Sanchez over both JCC and Lopez becuase he really showed what he can do in the ring. We can wonder what if this what if that but going with what happen inside the sqaured circle, Sanchez won gigantic fights and was 23. As I mentioned earlier what if he goes downhilll from there if he had been able to continue his career. Well what if he continued to excell! My reason for putting Sanchez above the two is simple: he whoop great figthers in a young age. He was that good! The hundred win of JCC dont impress me, personally to me JCC is like 34-5 not counting part time boxers.

I really can't put a list together but the next three i want to discuss is Marco, Eric and JMM. aww damn I just got a headache!

Forget it, I aint gonna lie this is just a tough list to make and I really dont have the time to put it together. These guys are so close anyways that nobody can really be wrong or right in making their list.

[ICB]

Salvador Sanchez was like 23 when he died, but he had already beaten Danny LopezX2, Ruben Castillo, Wilfredo Gomez, and Azumah Nelson, he might not have the longest legacy, but he was 18 when he lost a split decision.

Ricardo Finito Lopez was a great fighter, but he didn't really fight anyone special, and the best guy he fought put up a really good fight in Alvarez.

Lopez is hurt by the fact that he fought in Boxing's smallest division. Which is the most ignored division. But just cuz a lot people don't know the fighters doesn't mean there not good. Alvarez, Sorjaturong and Grigsby were outstanding fighters. Several others were very good. Lopez was a great fighter. He had great skills. And he also had great heart. A lot of people don't know that the second fight with Alvarez really shouldn't of happened. Alvarez came in over weight. But Lopez was still bothered by the draw in there first fight. So he said "who cares" we still fighting. He got the SD win over the bigger Alvarez in a great fight

Sanchez was a great fighter. No denying that. But the fact that he died early I think has elevated his status more than it should. He had some great wins. But there easy to pick at. Lopez I think was a one-dimensional fighter. He was good. But he was no where near great. Gomez was great. But he fought Sanchez above his best weight. He was the smaller fighter. Nelson put up a great effort. But come now. That was a pre-prime Nelson. He was still a little green. Before Sanchez died there was talk of him facing Alexis Arguello. A fight I think he would of lost.

Factor every thing in and I rate Lopez over Sanchez

Great post also another thing about Azumah Nelson, i heard he only had 2 weeks to prepare for Salvador Sanchez. Im not sure how true that is but thats what i heard.

I also agree about Danny Lopez i've seen quite a few of his fights, very good exciting fighter with a big punch. But i do feel he was very hittable and he reminded me of Julian Jackson at times.

Because often alot of his fights were tough fights, and some of the opponents he struggled against he really shouldn't of. But he was still one hell of a fighter.

And it was a big win for Salvador Sanchez considering he was unknown at that time, and it was billed as "Little Red vs Little Unknown" or something like that.

As for Ricardo Lopez just an amazing fighter what more can you say about him ? just excellent in every attribute. Doesn't really have a weakness, and his combinations were a thing of beauty.

I noticed in the rematch with Rosendo Alvarez, he was throwing 3 and 4 punch combinations. Something which he didn't really do in there 1st meeting.

But you could just see how much desire he had in that fight, 3 cuts on his face he looked a bloody mess. But yet he ignored that an continued to fight a masterful fight.

And the amazing thing is after that brutal war you would of expected him to retire. But he actually moved up a weightclass won the title there and made a few defenses before he retired.

Amazing fighter im not quite sure how many fights i've seen of his, i think its round about 14 or 15. And every fight i've seen of his he has looked brilliant. And his balance and power are some of the things that really stand out to me, despite his obvious boxing skills.

IMO the best skilled Mexican fighter of all time, and one of the best fighters of all time. If only the lower weightclasses had more attention he would of been as famous as JCC.

[Violent Demise]

This is a tough tough list to make.

I think majority of the poeple will put JCC at number 1, right?

I really can't agree to that. I really think in Sanchez short career he had accomplish so much more then JCC. However in Sanchez case, who knows what would of happen if he had fought past 23. Boxing is unpredictable and it may be unlikely but what if he would go downhill from there if he had been able to continue his career. Lopez maybe the most skilled p4p fighter we ever saw, but his resume is suspect. He just didn't have competition, unlike the other great. Having said these I would put Sanchez over both JCC and Lopez becuase he really showed what he can do in the ring. We can wonder what if this what if that but going with what happen inside the sqaured circle, Sanchez won gigantic fights and was 23. As I mentioned earlier what if he goes downhilll from there if he had been able to continue his career. Well what if he continued to excell! My reason for putting Sanchez above the two is simple: he whoop great figthers in a young age. He was that good! The hundred win of JCC dont impress me, personally to me JCC is like 34-5 not counting part time boxers.

I really can't put a list together but the next three i want to discuss is Marco, Eric and JMM. aww damn I just got a headache!

Forget it, I aint gonna lie this is just a tough list to make and I really dont have the time to put it together. These guys are so close anyways that nobody can really be wrong or right in making their list.

Your out of you mind homeboy. Sanchez over Chavez is like Tyson says "Ludicrous". I do agree with you in the fact that you shouldn't make a list of top 10 Mexicans. It is to tough for you. What you need to do is make a top 10 list of Filp fighters. I don't think I ever seen one. I'll help you out

1, Pancho Villa
2, Flash Elorde
3, Manny Pacquiao
4, Ceferino Garcia
5, Rene Barrientos

Not sure about the rest. You fill it out. Luisto Espinosa has to be up there. But he's not top 5. Maybe 7 or 8.

[KananKrus]

I saw a number of Salvador Sanchez fights, on TV as a young boxing fan in the '70's.

I rooted for Danny "Little Red" Lopez on both times they clashed. I cannot describe how dejected I was, that on both occasions, my guy, Little Red was “destroyed”. I couldn't even pick which one hurt more; Little Red, beaten as defending the Championship, or the one trying to reclaim it. Both fights were brutal, stoppages.

Salvador Sanchez can just snap the energy out of you. I did not even know one bit about this youngster prior to the fight, but later felt resentful that he was that good. He gave Lopez a boxing lesson! This was a complete role reversal! Quite a surprise!

Saw the Benitez fight couldn’t believe it turned one-sided as Benitez had an impeccable record then, I believe. Of course I was so young I did not know that going up in weight class was such a handicap. I gave too much stock on Wilfred’s high knockout ratio!

Nelson as a young guy (unknown) gave Sanchez fits early on as he had raw, two-fisted power on those young baby dynamites. And he was a very courageous fighter! Plus he was jumpy, and all over. He got brutally stopped though.

The best one from memory was the Juan La Porte fight. La Porte was one of the guys back then that issues demolition jobs one after another. So it was not altogether surprising that it was a brutal, start to finish boxing match.
I couldn’t root for Sanchez, regardless, because of his wins against Little Red. That was the boy in me! Each time I rooted against him, he wins BIG! It was sad when he left us, and just as I was warming up to him after the La Porte fight.

I can describe Salvador Sanchez style as that of a JMM, minus the reverse gear. Salvador will counter with the very best. Then add the Margarito forward-only engine, relaxed, always active, slow but always in a forward motion, and in your face! With a granite chin, head movement that is hard to hit, and unbelievable work rate, Sanchez seemingly was unbeatable in that era.

The only thing that I have not given much thought is his relative short career, compared with the others on the list whom have carried their ring savvy past prime but still churned great fights time and again.

I believe that Salvador Sanchez served as the prototype of great Mexican fighters. Great fundamentals, balance, boxing skills, and the spirit to overcome, makes them great ring warriors!

[Violent Demise]

I saw a number of Salvador Sanchez fights, on TV as a young boxing fan in the '70's.

I rooted for Danny "Little Red" Lopez on both times they clashed. I cannot describe how dejected I was, that on both occasions, my guy, Little Red was “destroyed”. I couldn't even pick which one hurt more; Little Red, beaten as defending the Championship, or the one trying to reclaim it. Both fights were brutal, stoppages.

Salvador Sanchez can just snap the energy out of you. I did not even know one bit about this youngster prior to the fight, but later felt resentful that he was that good. He gave Lopez a boxing lesson! This was a complete role reversal! Quite a surprise!

Saw the Benitez fight couldn’t believe it turned one-sided as Benitez had an impeccable record then, I believe. Of course I was so young I did not know that going up in weight class was such a handicap. I gave too much stock on Wilfred’s high knockout ratio!

Nelson as a young guy (unknown) gave Sanchez fits early on as he had raw, two-fisted power on those young baby dynamites. And he was a very courageous fighter! Plus he was jumpy, and all over. He got brutally stopped though.

The best one from memory was the Juan La Porte fight. La Porte was one of the guys back then that issues demolition jobs one after another. So it was not altogether surprising that it was a brutal, start to finish boxing match.
I couldn’t root for Sanchez, regardless, because of his wins against Little Red. That was the boy in me! Each time I rooted against him, he wins BIG! It was sad when he left us, and just as I was warming up to him after the La Porte fight.

I can describe Salvador Sanchez style as that of a JMM, minus the reverse gear. Salvador will counter with the very best. Then add the Margarito forward-only engine, relaxed, always active, slow but always in a forward motion, and in your face! With a granite chin, head movement that is hard to hit, and unbelievable work rate, Sanchez seemingly was unbeatable in that era.

The only thing that I have not given much thought is his relative short career, compared with the others on the list whom have carried their ring savvy past prime but still churned great fights time and again.

I believe that Salvador Sanchez served as the prototype of great Mexican fighters. Great fundamentals, balance, boxing skills, and the spirit to overcome, makes them great ring warriors!

You mean Gomez

[Taeth]

Salvador Sanchez was like 23 when he died, but he had already beaten Danny LopezX2, Ruben Castillo, Wilfredo Gomez, and Azumah Nelson, he might not have the longest legacy, but he was 18 when he lost a split decision.

Ricardo Finito Lopez was a great fighter, but he didn't really fight anyone special, and the best guy he fought put up a really good fight in Alvarez.

Lopez is hurt by the fact that he fought in Boxing's smallest division. Which is the most ignored division. But just cuz a lot people don't know the fighters doesn't mean there not good. Alvarez, Sorjaturong and Grigsby were outstanding fighters. Several others were very good. Lopez was a great fighter. He had great skills. And he also had great heart. A lot of people don't know that the second fight with Alvarez really shouldn't of happened. Alvarez came in over weight. But Lopez was still bothered by the draw in there first fight. So he said "who cares" we still fighting. He got the SD win over the bigger Alvarez in a great fight

Sanchez was a great fighter. No denying that. But the fact that he died early I think has elevated his status more than it should. He had some great wins. But there easy to pick at. Lopez I think was a one-dimensional fighter. He was good. But he was no where near great. Gomez was great. But he fought Sanchez above his best weight. He was the smaller fighter. Nelson put up a great effort. But come now. That was a pre-prime Nelson. He was still a little green. Before Sanchez died there was talk of him facing Alexis Arguello. A fight I think he would of lost.

Factor every thing in and I rate Lopez over Sanchez

I've seen both of them, and I like Salvador more, I think p4p he would beat Lopez. You can arguements anyway you want, but IMO he was a superior version of JCC who could do more in the ring. I strongly disagree about Lopez's opponents, I've seen a few of his fights like the ones against Alvarez, and they were definitely good fighters, but they weren't great by any stretch of the imagination. Lopez was a really good fighter, but he didn't have the opposition anyone else in the top 10 had, I think him being undefeated makes people overrate him, they tend to forget about the comparatively low opposition he had.

In fact I would place JMM, Barrera and Morrales probably in front of him. They all have accomplished so much, and especially JMM doesnt' deserve the shadow that was cast by Barrera or Morales on him, I think Barrera still deserves to be in first place though, he could fight the most ways, he became an equal boxer with JMM, and he was the best brawler out of the three. Him and JMM had probably the fastest hands of all the great mexican boxers IMO.

[Scrap]

When Alan Rudkin Boxed Ruben, Bobby Neil told me He went to see Rubin work out. Bobby was Alans Manager, He sat down in the gym and Rubin came over and said, You come to look. Bobby replied yes Ruben was sparring with the World Lightweight Champ Gonzales. In the 2nd round Olivares sparked Gonzales, came over to Bobby and said you seen enougth. I asked Bobby what His thoughts were His reply was Oh Fucking Hell what have we got Here

[CutMeMick]

When Alan Rudkin Boxed Ruben, Bobby Neil told me He went to see Rubin work out. Bobby was Alans Manager, He sat down in the gym and Rubin came over and said, You come to look. Bobby replied yes Ruben was sparring with the World Lightweight Champ Gonzales. In the 2nd round Olivares sparked Gonzales, came over to Bobby and said you seen enougth. I asked Bobby what His thoughts were His reply was Oh Fucking Hell what have we got Here

No shit...
Ruben was sparked out Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez in sparring...
Wow and now that I'm thinking here Ruben TKO'd Rudkin in 2.
Scrap I love reading your insight on these things thanks.

[KananKrus]

Yeah Wilfredo Gomez. Sorry.