I wanted to do something more original and thought-provoking but couldn't be arsed - as is usual for me - to put my brain into gear. So? Which Mehican leg end takes this? It's a brilliant matchup, 50/50 IMO with any number of intangibles that could come into play.
It gives me sore arse cheeks from fence-sitting this one does. Saldivar was clearly better than Lopez and the featherweight version of Gomez, and had the edge in class on Nelson too. If he could have jabbed and manoevred his way in, then those rapid-fire combos would have been flying at Sal with full force. He'd have to endure some heavy weather though; Sanchez hit harder than Winstone, and with equal accuracy. He was also stronger in a cardio-vascular and durability sense. Somebody help.....
I think i'd favour Sanchez to win a hard fought 2\3 point decision. His height and reach advantages, combined with good mobility and obviously his countering skills would give him the edge at range, and he's got the toughness to avoid being worn down by Saldivar's heavy handed combo's and stay with him in the last five. It would be close all the way though, as Saldivar is a top-notch boxer-puncher himself, wastes nothing and is so good at coming forward.Both of them would take a lot of punishment in a great fight.
Good argument; it's swayed me towards Sanchez ever so slightly, his strength and durability - amidst other qualities - possibly being the deciding factor down the stretch. Still, Saldivar would be handing some heavy leather, and I think that Sanchez would be surprised by the little man's jab. Especially when he threw it whilst in the act of practically sprinting forward
Salvador Sanchez would win the closest possible decision over Saldivar, and it would be the toughest fight of his career.
Sanchez's mobility and countering skills would be called upon to eke out the victory, and I believe that Sal had the beard and the general toughness to take what Saldivar would dish out. It would be a razor thin points difference.
only thing is Sanchez could be hit and Saldivas combinations would make full advantage of that. But Sanchez himself was a real sharp hitter and could hit Saldivar but he also had that movement and ring generalship. what a brillaint fight it would be
Sal was at his sharpest against his best opponents, and Saldivar would certainly qualify on that score. Sanchez would have his right lead counter punching overtime. Saldivar holds wins over Laguna and Legra, showing that he could certainly beat a great opponent the height and reach of Sanchez. But Sal was one of the smartest champions to ever wear a belt, and had the discipline and patience to execute a carefully planned strategy. He and his team would look for a way to turn Saldivar's southpaw style to their own advantage. The championship rounds were Sal's domain, a key factor since a stoppage outcome is extremely unlikely here. His mobility over the distance is critical, moreso than his height and reach in this instance. A split decision in his favor would not surprise me.