Boxing Top Ten Mexican Fighters of All Time
By Mark LeRoy: Top 10 listings have been woven into the very foundation of the sport we love from the beginning; these lists stir debate through the generations. It’s very seldom your list will house the same names of that of your father, or even your grandfather. With the exception of course of Sugar Ray Robinson, who is universally regarded as the greatest fighter ever to lace them up. Those who witnessed the raw aggression of Mike Tyson in the late 80’s ponder with the thoughts of how he would have fared against a Muhammad Ali, (probably most people’s dream match-up spanning the generations). Then we have Louis, Marciano, Foreman and Holyfield, all men who have an army of fans who would tell you their man was the greatest heavyweight of all time. But when it comes to Pound for Pound very few will argue against Sugar Ray Robinson sitting atop the throne.
As the generations pass, it becomes increasingly difficult for more recent practitioners to fight their way on to the coveted list, they are held as mere subsequent pretenders. Each fighter on the list has his legacy grow with each re-telling of his story almost creating him into some mythical immovable object. Fighters of the past fought more often resulting in some impressive professional records to sit alongside their legacy. Bellow I have compiled a list of the top ten Mexican fighters of all time; this was no mean feat considering the rich history and many champions that have came from the nation. Here is my list that is sure to stir up debate.
10. Kid Azteca - Had a career spanning four decades from 1930 – 1961, some reports have Azteca turning professional in 1929 which would place him in the select group of men who have fought over five decades, such as Jack Johnson and Roberto Duran. Azteca tremendous body puncher whose liver shot Micky Ward would have loved; Azteca went an exceptional record of, 158-42-8, (81).
9. Erik Morales – Born in a Boxing Gym in Tijuana, “El Terrible” is mostly remembered for his three bad blood wars with fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, the two completed a trilogy that will stand the test of time against any in the sports history. Morales won titles in three divisions and retired with a record of, 48-6, (34); five of his six losses came in his last six bouts.
8. Marco Antonio Barrera – Undefeated in his first 43 bouts, Baby Faced Assassin was the other half of the renowned Barrera – Morales trilogy which Barrera had the upper hand winning two of the three controversial bouts. Considered to be one of the best fighters of his era Barrera won titles in three divisions compiling a record of 65-7, (43).
7. Vicente Saldivar Saldivar finished his career, 37-3, (27) having won the featherweight title in 1964 by upsetting Sugar Ramos. He held that title for four years making eight successful defences, including three wins over Howard Winstone, before retiring after their third fight in 1967. He returned to the ring 21 months later and won the featherweight title a second time in less than a year, although this reign was short-lived.
6. Carlos Zarate - A bantamweight Zarate had power and was often referred to as a middleweight trapped in a bantamweight’s body. Zarate was a power puncher locked in a bantamweight's body. Zarate won his first 45 fights, 44 by KO, and retired with a record of 66-4 with 63 knockouts. He had a 90% KO ratio unheard of in the bantamweight division.
5. Ricardo Lopez – Fighting in an era with countryman competing at higher weight Lopez’s achievements went unrecognised or underappreciated. Competing exclusively at minimumweight and flyweight thought his career there always seemed to be a fellow Mexican taking the lime-light at a higher division like Chavez, Barrera and Morales. Ricardo “Finito” Lopez retired from the sport while reigning champion and with his undefeated record intact at an impressive, 51-0-1, and (38).
4. Miguel Canto – My Grandfather put no-one above El Maestro and he will be shocked to see him residing at number four. Canto was a defensive master in the ring and my Grandfather often referred to him as the Mexican Willie Pep. He successfully defended the flyweight title at the time a record 14 times, winning all but one of those fights by 15-round decision.
3. Salvador Sanchez – Chava successfully defended his title on nine occasions beating the likes of Ruben Castillo, Danny Lopez, Juan La Parte, Wilfredo Gomez and in 1882 Azumah Nelson. Shortly after the Nelson victory Sanchez died in a car accident, aged 23. Many believe Sanchez, 44-1-1, (32), had the skill to become the greatest Mexican fighter of all time, and they could have been right. Sanchez was not your typical Mexican brawler but a defensive master who picked off his opponents with counters. Upon his death negotiations were underway for a rematch with Wilfredo Gomez or a possible world lightweight champion Alexis Arguello.
2. Ruben Oliveras - El Púas was loved by his fellow Mexicans for his blend of typical Mexican fighting. Oliveras was a skilful boxer who could use the ring and box his way to victory; however on most occasions Oliveras opted to trade much to the delight of theses in attendance. Olivares held the bantamweight title through two reigns; 1969-72 before moving up to twice win the WBC featherweight title. A powerful puncher, Olivares won his first 60 fights, 55 by knockout on the way to a record of, 88-13-3 (78).
1. Julio Cesar Chavez - J.C. is widely regarded as the greatest Mexican fighter of all-time, although my father would argue his case for Ruben Oliveras and my Grandfather Miguel Canto, and we can only speculate what Sanchez night have went on to accomplish. Whatever the case I would be steadfast with my number one selection and my argument would be this. Chavez won world titles at super featherweight – lightweight and three times at light welterweight and retired with a record of, 108-6-, (87). He was unbeaten in his first 91 fights (albeit with a controversial draw to Pernell Whitaker) before Frankie Randall beat him via a split decision. Julio Cesar Chavez was involved in one of the most controversial decisions of the modern era. In 1990 Chavez with a record of 68-0 was defending his WBC light welterweight title in a unification fight against IBF champion Meldrick Taylor, 24-0-1 at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Taylor was well ahead on two of the three scorecards he only needed stay on his feet to win the fight, when Chavez landed a right sending him to the canvas. Taylor beat the count and seemed to have recovered when referee Richard Steele stopped the bout ruling Taylor in no fit state to continue (there was two seconds left to the final bell, chances are Chavez wouldn’t have had the time to lay a glove on Taylor. Steel stated after the fight he never knew how long was left on the clock, “I’m the referee not the timekeeper” said Steele. After watching replays Talor failed to give the customary gloves up, to signal he was fit to continue, however you could see him nod his head slightly to signal he was fit to continue.
One of his greatest performances was his last-second stoppage of Meldrick Taylor on March 17, 1990, a brilliant and brutal night in which Taylor administered a boxing lesson but took a beating from which he never fully recovered. Chavez wore his opponents down with pressure, body punching and crushing right. Veteran of an inordinate amount of ring wars. It will take a lot for someone to remove him out of this No. 1 ranking.
