Much is made of the fight that never was; Sanchez moving up to 135 to challenge then-WBC lightweight champ Arguello. I don't think this was ever destined to happen anyway, as Arguello was more interested in pursuing his fourth title against Pryor, and 140 would have most likely been too much for Sanchez to bite off, let alone the questions of carrying 135. Take an Arguello circa 1975, though, and plug him into the picture in 1982 before Sal died. How do you see this matchup playing out? I think it's a hard one, as Arguello would always be there throwing his artful combinations, but I think they'd be hitting mostly air as Sanchez would work lots of angles and flurry and jab his way to a hard-fought but unanimous decision.
I think Arguello is the better fighter but Sanchez, as Flea has told me, is a much better version of Ernesto Marcel. So Arguello, improved or not, just doesn't have it.
Sanchez was a really good counterpuncher so Arguello would be better off trying to make Sanchez lead. It would be a tactical battle. Arguello has great power, but Sanchez had a great chin. I think it would go 15 and Sanchez wins a close decision. If they had fought for real in 81 or 82 at lightweight I think it's hard to say because Sanchez never fought above 126 so it's hard to judge how the addition of 9 lbs would have affected him.
Sanchez would win at 126 with his speed, combinations, angles, feints, workrate, it would be too much for Arguello. I think he would have handled 135 but it's unknown territory.
Arguello would be the most dangerous, and the best fighter Sanchez would have faced at featherweight...Height, reach accuracy, legit all time puncher, durability...Arguello was a killer. I think Arguello could definitely hurt Sanchez, and that Salvador would have to craft a more discretionary approach to Arguello...I think he could though...Arguello had a tendency to travel in straight lines, and I believe Sanchez could move around him, and stay outside the power, or suffocate it, and spin him..constantly making Arguello reset the chase. Considering his skill set, I rate Sanchez very highly at featherweight.
This is an ATG featherweight matchup for me with 2 of my all-time faves going at it. Super high boxing IQs and great chins abound here. It's a tactical battle that purists would relish and goes the full 15. I go back and forth on this one frequently but right now am thinking Chava by decision as his superior speed and more diverse game make the difference. But next week I'll feel differently,lol.
Sanchez wins a UD. Good close fight with ETM hurting Sal a couple of times but I believe Sanchez quickness and boxing skills would edge it. Two of the greatest.
This would a very good match up with contrasting styles. I think Arguello who won some close decisions are in some fights was behind early would need a stoppage win, and he could very well get it. I'd favor Sanchez via close but clear decision or late round TKO.