Salvador Sanchez is largely considered to be one of the greatest ever fighters in boxing history.
One of the best Mexican boxers of all time, Sanchez, was only bested once in his career that seen him become a world champion at 21 years old.
Defeating Danny Lopez via TKO in 1980, Sanchez claimed the WBC World Featherweight title. ‘Chava’ would defend this title until 1982, when he faced an undefeated fighter in his final bout.
Salvador Sanchez defended world title versus Azumah Nelson in his final fight
In July of 1982, Sanchez would take on undefeated Azumah Nelson (13-0) in Madison Square Garden, New York for the WBC World Featherweight title.
Nelson accepted the fight on just two weeks’ notice, following a withdrawal from Mario Miranda.
The Ghanaian fighter was 24 when he stepped into the ring and had never fought for a world title before. However, it was not to be for Nelson.
Despite having some success in the fight, the short-notice replacement would ultimately succumb to damage from the Mexican, with Sanchez winning via 15th-round TKO.
The loss was the first of Nelson’s career, however, he would go on to have a great boxing journey. Just two years after his first defeat, the Ghanian would claim the WBC World Featherweight title, before defending it six times.
Then, Nelson would move up to the super featherweight division. There, he would win the WBC title, retaining it 10 times. Despite dropping the belt to Jesse James Leija in 1994, he would become a two-time super featherweight champion, before retiring in 1998.
To this day, Nelson is considered one of Africa’s greatest-ever fighters.
As for Sanchez, the fight would tragically be the last of his career.
Salvador Sanchez tragically died in 1982 car crash
Being just 23 years of age in his final bout, a car crash in August of 1982 would take the life of Sanchez.
While driving in Mexico, the collision would take the Mexican great’s life at a young age. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for his achievements following his death.
Sanchez’s boxing record would be 44-1-1 at the time of his death, with nine title defenses to his name. Making his professional debut aged just 16 in 1975, he claimed a world title after just five years.
Despite passing at such a young age, Sanchez is remembered highly in the world of boxing and in Mexican sports history.