Barrera's top 5 Mexican fighters of all time.

Think Sanchez is way too high at number one, it is between Olivares and Chavez for me, think I am probably biaised giving JCC the nod. I worked out a rough top ten and actually have Barrera one place ahead of Morales. Doesnt surprise me that he regards him highly after their battles. The top 4 are all very close as the 5-7 and 8-10.

My work-in-progress top 5
EDIT: Added to make a work-in-progress top 10

1. Julio Cesar Chavez
2. Ruben Olivares
3. Vicente Saldivar
4. Salvador Sanchez
5. Miguel Canto
6. Baby Arizmendi
7. Carlos Zarate
8. Marcos Barrera
9. Eric Morales
10. Kid Azteca

Couldnt find space for Marquez or Lopez in the end and I feel Canto and Sanchez should be higher, but just cant work out how to make it happen.

 

I can buy Sanchez as number one, in fact thats probably where I'd have him. Crammed alot of world class performances into his 23 years. Chavez, Olivares and Saldivar are all placed right. He obviously has alot of respect for Morales despite their rivalry, thats good to see.

 

I wouldn´t have xpected him to think that highly of Morales given the dislike they have for each other. Fair guy it seems.

 

Me neither, but on the other hand that may be more for Barrera himself than Morales if you know what I mean, :yep

 

Sanchez was the glittering jewel among the top Mexican greats...a fact lost somewhat on the fans who would choose Chavez. Sanchez was the best..a balanced, master boxer/puncher who was head and shoulder above his considerable competion. Yeah Chavez was great..really great, but Sanchez edges him out all around. And I disagree with MAB (a big favorite of mine) about the exclusion of Canto in his top 5,and he forgets that he opted to emulate, whether subconsciously or not, the great boxing master Miguel Canto in his greatest signature performance against Hamed. It was by boxing throughout, and sticking to the script, without the need for slugfest histrionics that enabled him to turn in one of the most masterful boxing lessons of all times in not only banishing Hamed, but redefining himself as a great fighter in his own right.

 

Thats not very fair on Canto IMO...if thats what Barerra is implying by his first quote.

He was a short arse little flyweight who routinely gave away several inches and went into the belly of the beast on many occasions...defending his title in Venezuela, Chile, Japan, the U.S etc. He made the best of what he with his short stature and lack of physical strength by being a highly skilled technician.

MAB also didnt exactly fight like a "warrior" against Manny in the rematch..or Juarez in the rematch..Nor really even against Naz, who he mostly boxed at range and on the backfoot.
No one is questioning Barerra's warrior heart (and rightly so)..why question Canto's for being a tactical and defensive master?

Edit: Didnt notice red cob already covered a lot of it anyway and I agree with you for the most part mate.

 

I think he is either just being modest or perhaps he was asked to put 5 fighters apart from him. Surely he would put himself above Erik.

I just am puzzled by that first quote...Who wrote that? Was that exactly what MAB was implying or did the author just make that assumption?

 

Canto wasn't amazing, very good, best at his weight during his prime years, with a pretty style.

That is the extent of his greatness though.

I know it, Barrera knows it.

Drop this Canto **** you all have going on, it is killing me.

 

Canto should definitely be in there, i personally don't like the "warrior" style, i prefer a "tactical warrior" style i guess.

 

I like his Sanchez pick, always thought he'd be a Chavez fan with his reminicent style

 

Yet he leaves out Canto.

Excellant post

Yeh Morales walked onto Barrera's face at speed.