
Originally Posted by
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!
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