Alexis Arguello vs Salvador Sanchez (I know it’s been done lots)

Arguello was featherweight champion, too. In fact, Ruben Castillo fought Arguello for the 126 pound title and, less than 90 days later, fought Sanchez for another version of the featherweight title. Ruben always said that Arguello was much better than Sanchez and would knock him out.
Sorry, he fought Alexis at 130, but Arguello had been 126 pound champion previosly.

 

Funny thing is with Ruben Castillo and i had this conversation with @salsanchezfan before, i watched Castillo vs Sanchez again a few months ago. And after the fight Castillo said "Sanchez was a great fighter and deserved to win" then years later claimed "He got robbed vs Sanchez".

To me he came across as bitter and there's a few other things aswell, yes Arguello did stop Castillo unlike Sanchez. But as you pointed out the fight vs Arguello was at Super Featherweight where as Castillo fought most of his career at Featherweight. Also Arguello was arguably behind on points going into the 11th, where as Sanchez only had issues with Castillo for the first 3 rounds or so, then took control of the fight from that point on.

Here's my scorecard for what it's worth.

Salvador Sanchez vs Ruben Castillo

1 Castillo
2 Castillo
3 Castillo
4 Sanchez
5 Sanchez
6 Sanchez
7 Sanchez
8 Sanchez
9 Castillo
10 Sanchez
11 Sanchez
12 Sanchez
13 Castillo
14 Sanchez
15 Sanchez

145-140 Sanchez

I remembered Castillo winning alot more rounds in the 1st half of the fight, but watching this fight again Sanchez to me had him pretty measured after the 3rd round. The first few rounds Sanchez looked a bit surprised by Castillo's handspeed, as Castillo was beating Sanchez to the punch and boxing nicely on the outside. But Sanchez after a rough start seemed to figure out Castillo's rhythm and time his flurries better.

Sanchez for me was the effective aggressor, and also showed nice defence later on Castillo actually missed alot of punches. And despite Castillo nicking a few rounds here and there later on, Sanchez pretty much controlled the 2nd part of the fight, and was able to time Castillo's flurries and counter punch.

Overall a very good technical bout with alot of skills on display with some exciting moments, but this is very overrated as a controversial decision. For me it was a competitive fight but a very clear win for Sanchez.

Finally what makes me laugh is in post fight interview after Castillo said "He won he's worthy champion" yet years later he claimed he was robbed and he kicked Sanchez's ass and that he was overrated. That's absolute nonsense and just makes him look like hypocrite

He also claims Arguello would beat Sanchez, but there's a few things i want to say about that, 1 Castillo moved up in weight to fight Arguello at Super Featherweight. Castillo mostly campaigned at Featherweight that was his best weightclass, 2 Castillo actually won alot more of the early rounds vs Arguello. I thought Castillo won atleast 6 or 7 of the first 10 vs Arguello, yes Arguello did finish Castillo off more impressively than Sanchez. But Arguello still had more trouble overall finding Castillo, plus as i said it was at Super Featherweight. I don't think this fight tells us how a mythical match up, between Sanchez vs Arguello would go.

 

I thought Sanchez was well infront vs Cowdell when i scored it, also whilst Cowdell was not an ATG. He did have a very tricky unusual style.

Salvador Sanchez vs Pat Cowdell

1 Sanchez
2 Sanchez
3 Sanchez
4 Sanchez
5 Cowdell
6 Sanchez
7 Cowdell
8 Cowdell 2 minute round
9 Sanchez
10 Sanchez
11 Sanchez
12 Sanchez
13 Cowdell
14 Sanchez
15 Sanchez 10-8 knockdown

146-138 Sanchez

I have to say i remember this fight being alot closer, but watching it again i don't think this fight was close at all IMO. And i think it's very overrated as a close fight.

Cowdell for me just didn't punch with enough authority, he didn't throw enough punches, and his only real weapon was his jab. For me Sanchez was never in danger of losing this fight, and always looked in control. Sanchez would take rounds off backing up and Cowdell would win these rounds with his jab.

But anytime Sanchez chose to come forward, you could tell he was class above Cowdell, his punches were more effective and anytime he landed flush on Cowdell he would wobble him. Ok sometimes Sanchez wouldn't always land cleanly, because Cowdell had an awkward herky/jerky style. But the fact is Sanchez was the only fighter punching with authority in this fight, i was also impressed how Sanchez went to the body, that's a part of his game you don't really see too often.

I give Cowdell credit he's a class below Sanchez, but he managed to stay in the fight and have some moments. And also showed tremendous heart getting up from that round 15 knockdown, for a second it looked like he wanted to stay down, but much credit to him for getting up and showing his mettle.

But overall Sanchez for me clearly won this fight with effective aggression, and the much more effective punches. Cowdell was brave but clearly lost, i don't know how this was a split decision in all honestly.

 

This. Castillo can't be counted on to say anything you can actually trust as he's nothing but sour grapes. Loser in all his title tries, and he's got a complex about it.

It just so happens that the Sanchez fight marked the only time he didn't get stopped or knocked down (he was barely able to finish the Laporte fight) in a title fight, so THAT had to be the one where he got robbed. It's dumb. He clearly lost the fight. A card for him in the Sanchez fight would be laughable.

Honestly, he'd have a stronger case for arguing for the decision in the Laporte fight.

 

Yes, I was aware of that.... ?