40 Years Ago Today

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by salsanchezfan, Aug 21, 2021.



  1. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    On this day 40 years ago, Salvador Sanchez scaled the heights and became an all-time great, defeating the 2-1 favorite Wilfredo Gomez, who sported an undefeated record with a perfect KO percentage. It was one of the most eagerly-anticipated featherweight title fights in history.

    Sanchez uncharacteristically floored Gomez in the very first round with a left hook, and Gomez never really recovered. He was as game and brave as they come, constantly coming forward and trying to regain the momentum but it never lasted for more than a round, as Sanchez picked apart the Puerto Rican as he marched forward into the breach.

    It's my belief that Sanchez allowed Gomez to unload and allowed himself to be hit perhaps more than he normally might because he knew he's hurt Gomez early and wanted to capitalize on his early advantage, while also realizing that Gomez couldn't hurt him. It made for a lot of great exchanges, with Sanchez as often as not fighting off the ropes, content to systematically weaken his opponent as Gomez hoped against all hope, firing away as best he could to take the play away.

    In the eighth, a savage exchange of hooks to the body backed Gomez into the ropes, where Sanchez measured him with an extended left before bringing a whistling right in behind it, leaving the challenger helpless on the ropes. The follow-up flurry left him sliding downward to the canvas, and while he bravely rose and complained at Carlos Padilla's stoppage, it was the only call. He had been comprehensively beaten.

    A truly great fight worthy of its own thread.
     
  2. Indefatigable

    Indefatigable Active Member banned Full Member

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    Like the 1 I did 12 hrs ago?
     
  3. Lenny

    Lenny Member Full Member

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    wow----SS what a fighter. Slipping sliding----head movement is incredible. Gomez was brave and showed so much heart
     
  4. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I remember thinking that Wilfredo Gomez had the elusiveness to possibly win the fight but Salvador Sanchez totally dominated Gomez, even knocking him down, fracturing his cheekbone then stopping him. Sanchez to me is a great Featherweight Champion. I believe he would have gone on to better things had he lived. Salvador's style was not typical, he was a boxer counterpuncher, his opponents were very well known. Sure he had a few off nights but so do other champions, bottom line he was a winner. In 1982 there was zero interest with boxing promotors to match him with WBA champion Eusebio Pedroza, who did not fight a lot of well known fighters in title defenses, with the exception of Juan La Porte, and Patrick Ford, but again styles make fights. I see a mega showdown between Sanchez vs Alexis Arguello at 135 lbs, which was in the works.
     
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  5. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    A fight between those two would have been fascinating, but I personally don't believe it would have happened. Arguello was moving up to 140 by then, anxious for that fourth title.
     
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  6. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Agreed.
     
  7. Lenny

    Lenny Member Full Member

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    Never saw the entire fight until today..... Was Padilla wrong in allowing the fight to go on? I know Gomez fought like a lion but look at his eyes

    Almost like the Duran --Moore fight. Ok not that bad but they sure let them take beatings in the 80's. And before....
     
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  8. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I believe that Carlos Padilla was a fighter's referee, he let them fight.
     
  9. Lenny

    Lenny Member Full Member

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    Could Sanchez outbox AA at 130-35? for 15 rounds?
     
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  10. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I thought the world of both Alexis Arguello and Salvador Sanchez. Both had iron chins, both wore their opponents out then finished them, and both had unending stamina. Both were winners, extremely confident and well conditioned before a fight. It would have been interesting, both had their share of off nights but so did everyone else in the history of boxing.
     
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  11. Lenny

    Lenny Member Full Member

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    Just watched a few more SS fights. Thanks who started this thread...... My wife is not talking now because I am watching too much. Anyway I think SS outboxes AA. Too slick. AA loved those guys that attacked him. He just met his fate at an 140..... Loved both guys...
     
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