Sanchez/Gomez

I saw the fight on closed circuit.

Gomez was the perfect Jr. Feather.

Gomez attended Sanchez's Funeral and still pays respect to him.

Too bad the proposed rematch never happened.

 

I can say that I'm always impressed with Sanchez in this one...knowing he so coolly took apart one of my favorite assassiins in Gomez. A really impressive performance.

 

This is why it's dangerous to project Sal in fantasy pairings. When against the best, he turned it up several notches. He may have done just enough to defend against the likes of Cowdell and Ford, but he was on a different planet when dealing with Little Red and Gomez.

 

what amazes me about this fight besides Sanchez's great skills is the great heart and skill shown by Gomez after getting the **** beat out of him and his cheek broken in rd. 1. Nobody talks about his supreme effort and neversaydie attitude in that fight. Sanchez was great, but was gunning for Arguello after Nelson and LaPorte and I believe the greater Arguello would have hit him to the body and counterpunched better and taken Sanchez out by the 13th.

 

Ever notice that his "best" was typically against come-forward fighters and the performances when he was supposedly "off" were against the boxers (Nelson aside)? I think that was simply a stylistic thing with Sanchez moreso than anything to do with him not being at his best for those particular performances, although it's possible that it was combination of those factors. He was always in immaculate condition. Always cool, calm, and collected in the ring. Certain fighters just troubled his more counter-punching oriented style by not presenting the usual opportunities.

I also disagree that he was yet to hit his peak. I genuinely think he was just an early bloomer. Honestly, what kind of improvement did he show throughout his reign? His skill-set was already rather complete. He never even topped his initial title-winning performance against Lopez. And given the matchups that loomed on the horizon (against the likes of Pedroza and Arguello, who'd have been his greatest challenges to date), I'm not sure how much longer he'd have maintained that level. Still a great fighter, though, no doubt about it.

 

I don't understand the connection. Hopkins didn't even turn pro until he was 25 years old, so it's not like he had the chance to be an early bloomer a la Sanchez. Look throughout history and you'll find that the vast majority of guys who started their careers out as young as Sanchez and attained a level near what he attained also tended to peak early in terms of age and subsequently decline early. It's because they've already gained a load more experience and craft by that early age than most other fighters, and are typically a lot more wore-torn by an earlier age as a result. Given the arc of his career, the improvement (or lack thereof) in his performances, and the battles that lie ahead of him (which would've only served to have taken even more out of him), there's little to suggest that he'd have shown significant improvement or even maintained that level for too much longer. In many ways, his early death heightened his legacy I feel. Although again, to reiterate, he was already clearly an all time great Featherweight.

Still not following. He was an excellent counter-puncher as it was. That was his primary strength, really. He'd already had the experience of double digit world title bouts and 5+ 15 rounders, none of which he showed significant improvement in any particular area. And eyesight?

 

There is a way, actually. Wear and tear. Archie Moore was more experienced when he fought Ali than at any other point, that doesn't mean he was better. The same applies for any fighter, really. At certain points, most fighters tend to peak. Tyson, Benitez, Arizmendi, Famechon, etc. etc. are just a few of many fighters who built up a wealth of experience early and as a result declined rather early in terms of age.

Age is just a number in boxing, one that can go one way or the other. Certain fighters (such as Hopkins) who start late, remain in peak condition and gradually shift their styles to bring about minimum punishment as their careers progress tend to have longer shelf lives. Others (such as Sanchez) build up a vast amount of experience at a young age and as a result tend to peak early. There is absolutely nothing in his performances to suggest that Sanchez was continuing to grow as a fighter. He seemed to level off by the time he won the title and defended it.

Sanchez may've been in fewer wars at that point, which is why I brought up what he had coming just around the bend. Arguello and Pedroza would've been his toughest challenges to date, fights that surely would've evened up the slate between he and Morales (among others) as far as the damage he'd acrued at such an early age. Damage that would've more than likely stunted the further development of his career. And I strongly disagree that Sanchez took a punch better. If anything, Morales's was the sturdier chin, if only slightly. Sanchez faced the better punchers, but was also noticably hurt more often than Morales. Not to mention Sanchez was better defensively, although not a great defensive fighter by any means.

I never said he couldn't. I said there was nothing to suggest it. The fight with Nelson suggests a couple of possibilities: A) That Nelson was very game, but still green. Sanchez's taking over of the fight in the latter rounds could be just as easily attributed to that lack of experience on Nelson's end as it could to any growth on the part of Sanchez. Nelson's latter performances prove this. B) It could be argued that Sanchez may well've been on the decline already, given how he went life and death with a relative novice whose aggressive style seemed to fit right into Sanchez's counter-punching hands.

I fully believe in A. I somewhat believe in B. I genuinely do believe that Nelson was simply a special talent at a young age, inexperienced or not, and would've given the majority of top notch Feathers a rough time on the form he showed up on that night. That said, it does nothing to hinder my stance as far as Sanchez's lack of improvement is concerned, nor on my stance regarding the comparative career arcs of fighters with similar circumstances to Sanchez.

Is it possible that he could've turned over a new leaf, continued improving, and reigned for many years to come? I suppose so. Is it likely? Not at all, in my opinion. I don't quite grasp the opposing view, either. Not from anyone well-versed on Sanchez's career, anyway.

 

While this back and forth over whether or not Sanchez was going to improve continues, it needs to be pointed out that Mancini-Kim took place three months after Sal was killed, beginning the demise of the classic championship distance era. As a WBC belt holder, Chava would have been among the first titlists affected. The 12 round limit would have been ruinous to an endurance stylist like Sanchez, who specialized in coming on during the championship rounds.

On conditioning and discipline alone, he could have gone on for years, but did express a desire to retire early and enter medical school. (This interest isn't surprising. He was trained thoroughly enough to know just how to box to get his heart to a specific target rate in sparring. A fascination with medicine would be a natural offshoot of his familiarity with his own physiological processes.) His only indulgence was a fatal affinity for fast sports cars. While it's natural to assume Sal would never have walked away from boxing when still on top, I strongly suspect the elimination of the championship distance from WBC title bouts could have easily tilted him towards hanging up the gloves.

 

Interesting take.

 

great insight. I agree. They should hang Sulilamon from his toes along w/ his stolen antiques, stick an M80 up his ass and light it. Then charge Pay-Per-View to watch it. back in 82, it would have made millions and out did Holmes-Cooney. The young today who never lived thru 15 rdrs.. have no idea how suckky the sport is now w/ 12 rd. fights. BTW, I got a great career set of Bad Bennie from a guy in Australia this weekend and it brings back all the memories of going to see the human wrecking ball fight. Off topic, but thought I'd share it.