Salvador Sanchez was a complete fighter who possessed speed, power, and excellent counter-punching skills.

Sanchez won the WBC Featherweight Championship in 1980 by stopping  DANY “RED” LOPEZ  in thirteen rounds, becoming the first Mexican since  RUBÉN “PÚAS” OLIVARES  to win a world featherweight title. He made nine successful title defenses.

In his highest profile fight, Sanchez stopped the undefeated WBC Super Bantamweight Champion WILFREDO GOMEZ  in eight rounds in 1981. Gomez, who was 32-0-1 (32 KOs), was a 2-1 betting favorite.

Sanchez was named  fighter of the year  for 1981, along with  Sugar Ray Leonard.

In his last fight, Sanchez stopped  Azumah Nelson  in fifteen rounds on July 21, 1982.

Sanchez died August 12, 1982, when his white Porsche was hit head-on by a truck as he attempted to pass another truck in front of him.

In 1991, Sanchez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

In 1999, The Associated Press named Sanchez the 3rd greatest featherweight of the 20th century.