Top 50 Must Watch Boxing Fights - Rummy’s Corner

[Willie Pep 229]

Sure, there were Mexicans and Puerto Ricans fighting each other in the ring back then. But were they as heated back before the Sanchez-Gomez fight? Did they have Mexican and Puerto Rican fans at each other throats, turning the matches into a contest of proving their nations’ supremacy? Was there considered to be any bad blood between the two countries back in the 30s or 40s?

From what I understand, the whole rivalry began to take shape after Gomez beat a couple of Mexico’s top fighters at the time, including Carlos Zarate. Mexican fans wanted revenge and looked to Sanchez to deliver that for them. While Puerto Ricans, in turn, lined behind their #1 guy.

Which seems more likely to you . .

That the Sanchez-Gomez fight, created out of whole cloth, a new national rivivaly between two nations whoes boxing history goes back 100 years . . .

Or . . .

Don King, promoter of the fight, exploited an existing rivivaly?

A national rivivaly like the Mexican-Puerto Rico come from the grass roots up, taking many events to build, Don King just exploited it.

Maybe King succeeded in making it a know thing in the States for the first time but I question the argument that Don King created it.

[Flickergrab98]

Which seems more likely to you . .

That the Sanchez-Gomez fight, created out of whole cloth, a new national rivivaly between two nations whoes boxing history goes back 100 years . . .

Or . . .

Don King, promoter of the fight, exploited an existing rivivaly?

A national rivivaly like the Mexican-Puerto Rico come from the grass roots up, taking many events to build, Don King just exploited it.

Maybe King succeeded in making it a know thing in the States for the first time but I question the argument that Don King created it.

While it is possible that Sanchez vs. Gomez was merely the first Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry get the attention of a wide American audience like you suggested, I fear you might be straw-manning my point a bit, unintentionally or not.

I didn’t say that there wasn’t any animosity building underneath the surface for decades before that fight. What I’m saying is that there first needed to be a moment where that animosity culminated into both sides mutually acknowledging that they had beef and declaring each other their most bitter rivals. The tension had been building up a longtime, of course. But the rivalry wasn’t official for the Mexicans until after Gomez beat Zarate. It was when Sanchez beat their #1 guy, Gomez, that the rivalry then became official for the Puerto Ricans. Years of tension finally exploded into a full-fledged feud.

This is my understanding, of course. I’m willing to acknowledge the possibility that the reason the Gomez vs Sanchez fight is considered so special is that it was the first this rivalry gained such a level of exposure. But for now, I think there’s good reason why many cite this fight in particular as the beginning of the two countries’ rivalry in the sport.

[markusmod]

Again, keep in mind that this isn’t a personal list of his. These are the results of a survey.

I know. I just don't want him to squeeze your bum when you're not looking.

[ShoulderRoll]

Not a bad list.

Unless I missed it Michael Carbajal vs Chiquita Gonzalez 1 is a glaring omission, though. First million dollar bout in junior flyweight history and Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1993.

[Nash out]

Couldn't be bothered to look through it as the fights aren't listed in the Youtube description, but I bet Gatti vs Ward is on? That fight did nothing for me. Too low a skill/power level to be interesting. Like a binman fighting a bartender. Good brawl, but who cares? Nash out.