Counterpunch. Video By Lee Wylie

“I’m satisfied that Salvador Sanchez was the best Mexican fighter of all time. Even higher than Julio Cesar Chavez.”    — Wilfredo Gomez

“He constantly confirmed the understanding and consciousness of a veteran in his early twenties, a sworn statement maybe to the variety of fights and defenses he crammed into his quick profession. As a veteran, he might need attained the uncommon heights of strategic genius reserved for the likes of Archie Moore and Bernard Hopkins.”    — Matt McGrain

Earlier this week the boxing world collectively marked the anniversary of the premature loss of life of Salvador Sanchez, for sure one of many biggest Mexican warriors in boxing historical past. The fighter known as “Chava” and “The Invincible Eagle” by his Mexican compatriots burst onto the boxing scene seemingly from nowhere in 1980 when he defeated Danny Lopez on reside tv for a world title belt. And whereas Sanchez’s championship reign was comparatively quick, it was simply lengthy sufficient for the Mexican warrior to determine himself as one of many greatest featherweights of all-time.

In 1982 he died in a automotive accident on the age of 23, however, amazingly, he had already gained eleven straight championship fights, together with historic wins over fellow Corridor of Famers Lopez, Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson. Yearly battle followers keep in mind Sanchez and his tragic loss, however we additionally recall his astonishing ring abilities. So what higher time to pay tribute to a very nice champion by bringing you Lee Wylie‘s glorious breakdown of this nice featherweight’s distinctive and extremely subtle counterpunching fashion.

When many boxing followers hear the time period “counterpuncher,” they naturally suppose first of a defensive-minded pugilist similar to Floyd Mayweather or Guillermo Rigondeaux, a boxer who waits for the opponent to provoke earlier than placing.  However Sanchez was one thing altogether totally different, an aggressive counter-puncher, ruthless and calculating, affected person and exact. As Wylie notes, there have been totally different sides to Salvador’s approach, however he was most harmful as a counterpuncher.

So take pleasure in one other Lee Wylie masterpiece and admire once more the ring brilliance of the fistic legend who James Toney calls, “The greatest Mexican fighter of all-time … Interval. Palms down.” Test it out: