Mike Tyson thinks Salvador Sanchez is the best Mexican fighter ever. The former heavyweight champ shared his opinion recently, picking Sanchez over current star Canelo Alvarez.
Tyson knows a thing or two about boxing greatness. He started his pro career in 1985 at just 18 years old. In his first 19 fights, he won them all by stoppage, with 12 of those wins coming in the first round. By 1986, he became the youngest heavyweight champion ever when he beat Trevor Berbick for the WBC title. That record still stands today.
When asked about the greatest Mexican fighter, Tyson didn't hesitate to name Salvador Sanchez. He explained his choice:
"Salvador Sanchez. I just think Sanchez was hard to beat, this is what made him really special to me and everybody else that knows his style, if you're a halfway fighter, decent fighter, you might last the distance, the greater you are the more he kicks your a–, but he fights right above the level of the game."
Sanchez had a short but impressive career as the WBC featherweight champion. He ended with a record of 44 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. His last fight was a successful title defense against Azumah Nelson. Sadly, Sanchez died in 1982 at just 23 years old. The boxing world recognized his impact by inducting him into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
While Tyson gives the nod to Sanchez, Canelo Alvarez continues to build his own legacy. Alvarez currently holds all the belts in the super-middleweight division. Last month, he beat William Scull in Riyadh. Now, he's getting ready for a big fight against Terence Crawford in September.
Tyson's choice of Sanchez over current champions like Alvarez shows the lasting impact of Sanchez's unique style and performances against top opponents. It's a reminder that greatness in boxing isn't just about titles and records, but also about how a fighter performs in the ring.
