Huge Turnout To Remember Salvador Sanchez’s Passing

By James Blears

Thousands paid their respects to the late great Mexican boxing idol Salvador Sanchez in his hometown of Santiago Tianguistenco, in the State of Mexico.

Under leaden skies, which constantly and appropriately threatened to rain down bolts of lighting backed up by peals of thunder, a packed service was held in the town’s Church, with hundreds more standing on the steps outside… and further still. Mariachis then played ballads by his graveside.

Salvador packed so much exciting boxing into his short life, which ended in a car accident in 1982, with so much potential triumph remaining forever unfulfilled.

One of the few opponents who managed to stay with him for fifteen grueling rounds, was Puerto Rico born Juan Laporte. Juan made the journey all the way from New York to honor his one time opponent and also friend.

Dressed in a charcoal gray suit, looking dapper and trim, Juan said: “I’m always glad to come and pay my respects to Salvador. These are great people here.

“Salvador was such a nice person outside the ring, and in it, he did his job, as we all do. We fought, I lived the experience, and I’m glad I did!

“We first met, after Salvador had fought Patrick Ford. I knew I was going to be fighting Sal next, and we were mutually respectful. He wished me the very best, and likewise. He was a real classy guy.

“It was my fifteenth fight, and I remember gloves in my face!  I lifted him off the floor with an uppercut and woke him up with some hooks. But he was in fantastic shape and he had a great chin. He delivered some sweet hooks to the body and some big overhead rights, and with his jab he could keep you at bay.

“After we fought and I came up short, he told me that I had all the tools to become a World Champion and he knew that I would be.”

Juan said it was hard to believe that thirty years have passed so quickly, but he also aptly commented: “The clock ticks, and the days go by.”

Back then, a rematch was planned for September 15th, but Salvador died on that fateful August 12th.

Grant Elvis Phillips, who manages Salvador’s Nephew Salvador Sanchez Jr, explains that there are plans to establish a museum to honor: “Mexico’s greatest boxer.” He said it would rotate between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. Grant also said that there are plans to do a film of his idol’s life.

He remembers Sal Sanchez as a great down to earth character who was the same person when he was a four round fighter and a World Champion. 

Paradoxically, Salvador Sanchez II was due to fight undefeated Andres “Jaguar” Gutierrez, on the undercard of the Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas….on September 15th. But Sal Jr. twisted his ankle during sparring and the fight has had to be postponed.

Sal Jr. said: “We are such a close family, I’m honored to be here today. My Uncle is an inspiration, and I won’t rest until I become a World Champion.”