Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the death of Salvador Sanchez. This made me think about what other great fighters died too young.
What fighters do you think we lost too soon?
Although I was sad as F when I heard Gatti died, he had already retired. For me, probably Edwin Valero. The guy had so much potential. Can only imagine the dream fights he could of been part of.
EDIT - Paul Williams. I know he didn't die but when I heard he had a motorcycle accident and may be paralyzed, I didn't want to believe it. I had so much hope in Dr. early diagnosis stating perhaps he can recover. Obviously that didn't happen and the mega fights he could of been part of all vanished. I was so damn sad when I heard this.
People named some good ones on here so dont want to be redundant
We didn't "lose" him, as he is still alive, but Gerald McClellan is one I'll name. Tragic story, he was like 28 when he suffered that brain injury. He had some folklore sparring stories when he was in his prime
Yeah, he's the best fighter to come out of the african continent and one of the best SFW of all time
he's up there with Chavez, Arguello, Barrera, Floyd
the Nelson that smashed Wilfredo Gomez would be a real problem from any FW-SFW in history
Lol. - the first part is irrelevant as far as being an ATG - and comparing him to those guys, yeesh.
Nelson KOed Gomez late, after being outboxed most of the night. Gomez was maybe 2-2 all-time as a featherweight; as you mentioned, Nelson fought pretty well at SFW.
Point being, he was the much bigger man vs Gomez and won the fight as a bigger man vs a man who only had a few fights left anyway.
Come on man, just stop the BS. I can't deal with it.
Azumah Nelson is an ATG??
Yeah, he's the best fighter to come out of the african continent and one of the best SFW of all time
he's up there with Chavez, Arguello, Barrera, Floyd
the Nelson that smashed Wilfredo Gomez would be a real problem from any FW-SFW in history
https://youtu.be/KDiwCHa0GO0
Salvador Sanchez arrived and vanished
Only twenty-three with so much speed
Owning the highway
Mexico City bred so many
But none quite like him sweet warrior
Pure magic matador
Pancho Villa would never rest
'Til 1925 he closed his eyes
'Til Manilla stars would rise
Gozo of the Philippines, choirs and angels sing
Ukulele strings play for his legend
Italy had a king
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Benny "kid" Paret came a good way
Climbed to the grey sky to raise his hands
Stopped by the better man
Eyes of Los Rios cry for suns
Lost on distant shores, unforeseen horrors
Struck and delivered him
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Why have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
All bound together
Salvador Sanchez is the worst case of all in that sense
Dead at 23, undefeated champion, on top of the world,
with victories over ATGs like Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson
What's even more crazy it's that Sanchez didn't even reach his full prime, as he was getting better and better with each fight
such a waste
Azumah Nelson is an ATG??
Despite only being 23, Sanchez had wins over 3 HOFers in Lopez, Gomez and Nelson. If he had lived, he could have fought and beat Pedroza and Lockridge, then moved up to 130 and fought Limon or Serrano.
Wins over 4 HOFers, a 2 weight world champion, and an undisputed champion in 2 weight classes (WBC and WBA were the only titles back then) at 24-25. That would have been amazing.
I remember hearing somewhere that he actually wanted to step up to lightweight so that he could challenge Alexis Arguello and was considering making that his final fight; supposedly wanted to retire early so that he could pursue a career as a doctor. Though I’m not sure how much of this is true so don’t take my word for it.
I'm not sure he was a great fighter (and certainly not a good person) but it would have been interesting to see how the rest of Edwin Valero's career unfolded.
This is one i really wanted to see unfold
One of the greatest action fighters in Corrales was my favorite fighter and the Clottey matchup was the saddest fight ive ever seen. I dont get emotionally attached to fighters but that fight got me choked up.
I always come back to Valero for some reason.
Boxing has had some of the worst tragedies in all of sports.
About a year ago, I had a conversation with someone who knew both Valero and his wife. They mentioned that the circumstances surrounding Valero's suicide after the murder of his wife were a bit suspicious. I'd love to see a documentary done on Valero... actually there are so many great stories in boxing that deserve deep dive documentaries. Gatti's life and death being another.
Salvador Sanchez is the worst case of all in that sense
Dead at 23, undefeated champion, on top of the world,
with victories over ATGs like Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson
What's even more crazy it's that Sanchez didn't even reach his full prime, as he was getting better and better with each fight
such a waste
Despite only being 23, Sanchez had wins over 3 HOFers in Lopez, Gomez and Nelson. If he had lived, he could have fought and beat Pedroza and Lockridge, then moved up to 130 and fought Limon or Serrano.
Wins over 4 HOFers, a 2 weight world champion, and an undisputed champion in 2 weight classes (WBC and WBA were the only titles back then) at 24-25. That would have been amazing.
Not sure if we are referring to fighters that were active and they died or fighters that just died too young. My main one will always be Rocky Marciano and Arturo Gatti.
Fighters who were active when they died.
I'm not sure he was a great fighter (and certainly not a good person) but it would have been interesting to see how the rest of Edwin Valero's career unfolded.
I always come back to Valero for some reason.
Boxing has had some of the worst tragedies in all of sports.
Former HW champ Corrie Sanders was also relatively young at 46 when he was killed.
Thankfully Paul Williams is not dead but having his career end so abruptly was rough for me, one of my favorite fighters ever. He was scheduled to fight Canelo before his accident.
Salvador Sanchez was definitely the worse case of them all he was on top of the boxing world when he passed.
Pancho Villa was the first Asian champion ever he also passed away young and in his prime.
Not sure if we are referring to fighters that were active and they died or fighters that just died too young. My main one will always be Rocky Marciano and Arturo Gatti.