So do I pal. Greater and slightly better too. Sanchez has a great CV and he was a sublime fighter but Carlos's CV is greater and he was the undisputed champ and very arguably a top 5 lightweight. He has the unfair advantage of a full career to judge though, although I suppose it's possible that Sanchez's stock could have dropped if he'd either lost clearly to Pedroza or jumped up in weight and not succeeded. Ortiz looked more comfortable to me against different styles, especially the boxers and movers who Sal didn't always look a million quid against. I'd really see Sanchez struggling against stylists like Laguna, Elorde, Brown, Lane and Locche if they were his size. Elorde and Laguna more or less were and I think they'd both beat him at their respective bests. Sanchez's best wins are up there with Ortiz's but Carlos just had more depth to his record, his resume is absolutely nuts.
Agreed with Tin_Ribs. But I think that Sanchez was the better H2H fighter, but more had polarized disadvantages stylistically, if that makes sense.
Ortiz definitely had a more complete skillset. A couple of examples - Ortiz was a terrific infighter, and Sal wasn't the best infighter. Ortiz had a much better jab, and threw every punch with beautiful technique, whereas Sal often slapped with his right hand. And Ortiz was much better defensively... it's not even close in defense, tbh. Ortiz also had a fuller arsenal of punches... hooks, crosses, uppercuts, and was one of the all time great body punchers. I can't recall Sal throwing too many uppercuts, and he wasn't the most committed body puncher.
Ortiz is soooo underrated. Almost like hes forgotton about. I actually think hes one of the few who could hold his own with prime Duran.
Will read through the responses tomorrow. Both are among my favorites. I’d say you’ve got to go with Carlos Ortiz. What a fighter. I love Sanchez so much though. He’s a personal favorite.
Can't compete (at least tonight) with some of those eloquent posts above, but I will concur with Carlos Ortiz.
Not necessarily better or greater I suppose. I've never given that one much thought tbh. I just think he might not be the best match for Sanchez stylewise. Quick, skilled southpaw with good movement and ring generalship, capable of outboxing Saddler and Laguna at his best......
Sanchez had more raw talent and might well have gone on to greater heights than Ortiz. But alas, we'll sadly never know. What he did by such a young age was already fantastic enough to earn him bona fide all-time great status - but he should still be behind Ortiz. Agree with the general feeling that Ortiz is underrated. For me, he's the greatest Puerto Rico has ever produced. Not as much of a fan favourite as Camacho, Trinidad or Cotto, nor as immediately impressive on film as Benitez or Gomez. But on achievements, quality of opposition beaten, championship consistency and his own considerable gifts, he outstrips them all combined. I'd have him inside my top five Lightweights of all time, just about. Very respectable 140 lb champion on top of that. Defended his titles on the road and in far-fling corners of the globe a lot of the time, but still did the business. Very few 'safe' defences considering the amount of title fights he had. All in all a truly elite fighter.
