The history of boxing is quite rich in Mexico, as the country has produced some of the greatest fighters to ever step into the ring. Mexican boxers have consistently demonstrated their skill, grit and determination, enthralling boxing audiences around the world for decades. In this article, we will have a look at those Mexican boxers who have achieved great success in the sport and become an inspiration in their country. These boxing veterans have etched their names in boxing and Mexico’s sporting history.
10. Marco Antonio Barrera
Marco Antonio Barrera had an incredible boxing career as he won world championships in three divisions. Barrera defended his title for several years and had memorable fights against boxers like Prince Naseem Hamed, Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Erik Morales. He later took a break and became a boxing commentator. Despite returning to the ring and winning matches, an injury forced him to stay away from the ring for a long period of time. “The Baby-Faced Assassin” was honored in 2017 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for his remarkable achievements.
9. Rubén Olivares
Ruben Olivares began his professional boxing career in 1965 and was undefeated until 1970. He has won some of the most brutal bouts against the toughest competitors in the Bantamweight division. He was known for his raw strength and strong fighting style. “El Puas” has fought 105 professional bouts and won 89 of them. The most impressive thing is that 79 of his 89 wins came by knockout. He is still the only Mexican boxer with the most knockout wins in his country’s history.
8. Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel Marquez had a remarkable boxing career that spanned more than two decades. Not only did Marquez win world titles in four different weight classes, but his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao, an epic four-fight battle, captured the attention of boxing fans around the world. Juan was well known for his exceptional counter-punching skills, and he represented Mexico at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.
7. Carlos Zarate
Carlos Zarate is not only one of the greatest boxers to come from Mexico, but he is also the one who achieved the highest knockout percentage by any bantamweight boxer. Zarate began his professional MMA career in 1970 and scored 23 consecutive victories by knockouts and stoppage. In 1975, he defeated Rodolfo Martinez to claim his first title, which was the WBC Bantamweight championship. Zarate defended his title five times in just one year. When he moved to featherweight, Zarate had a big clash with Wilfredo Gomez that resulted in a fifth-round knockout. Carlos fought a total of 70 fights during his professional career and won 66 of them, which is an impressive record.
6. Erik Morales
Erik Morales began his professional boxing career in 1993 and remained undefeated until 2001, winning 41 bouts. He is a four-division world champion and holds titles in four different weight classes, including the WBC super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight and light welterweight titles. His trilogy fight with Marco Antonio Barrera is considered one of the greatest in the history of sport. “El Terrible” scored an epic win over Manny Pacquiao and is considered one of the best boxers to hail from Mexico.
5. Vicente Saldivar
Vicente Saldivar began his professional boxing career in 1961 and demonstrated his southpaw style and exceptional work rate in the featherweight division. On February 28, 1964, “The Golden Lefty” defeated Juan Ramirez to claim the Mexican featherweight title in just two rounds. In the same year, Saldivar defeated Sugar Ramos to win the WBA, WBC and The Ring featherweight titles. He defeated several boxers and retained his title until 1967. Vicente fought in a total of 40 matches during his career and won 37 of them. 26 of his 37 wins came by knockouts.
4. Salvador Sanchez
Salvador began his professional boxing career in 1975 and went on to become a legendary boxer. Although “The Invincible Eagle” fought only 46 bouts and had a relatively short career, the impact he created was huge. His victory over Wilfredo Gomez is still considered the greatest win in the old rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sanchez won the WBC Featherweight World title in 1980 by defeating Danny Lopez and successfully defending it ten times. Unfortunately, Sanchez’s career was cut short when he tragically died in a car accident in 1982. He only suffered one loss in his entire career.
3. Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez is currently one of the most iconic boxing personalities in the sport. He began his professional career in 2005 and scored epic wins over several big names. He was undefeated until 2013. “Canelito” dominated the amateur boxing circuit at a young age and then he became the only super middleweight undisputed champion in history and Mexico’s most popular boxer of all time. He currently holds the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles.
2. Ricardo López Nava
Ricardo Lopez was an incredible boxer who retired with an undefeated record. Unfortunately, he lived at a time when the underweight classes were given little importance and paid low wages, a plight that continues to this day. Lopez had exceptional prowess, boxing skills and killer instinct, this is why he is considered one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time. “El Finito” fought a total of 52 bouts during his career and won 51 of them, drawing one. His 38 out of 51 wins came via knockout.
1. Julio Cesar Chavez
Julio Ceser is arguably the best boxer to hail from Mexico. He had a long career of 25 years and managed to win WBC Super featherweight in 1984 and then WBA lightweight in 1987 and 1988. After this, “Cachito” won the WBC light welterweight title as well. He is a record-breaker with more than 27 world titles. Chavez is known for having the longest undefeated streak in boxing history, which is 13 years. He also holds the record for the largest attendance in a boxing match at the Estadio Azteca against Greg Haugen in 1993. Chavez fought a total of 115 bouts during his career, winning 107 of them.
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