Mexico has produced so many great boxers that going through the names for the thousandth time wouldn’t do it justice. We know the great fighters, the big nights, the exploits, the stories. For years, Mexican boxers have earned respect from fans worldwide not just because of their talent, but also because of an exciting style that makes for very entertaining bouts.
If there’s a special occasion in boxing it’s when two Aztec warriors face off in the ring. Regardless of the outcome, you just know you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Evidence of this can be seen in amazing fights such as the Barrera-Morales trilogy, Márquez vs Vazquez’s four fights, Olivares vs Castillo… the list goes on.
But some of the best Mexican boxers haven’t always had the chance to face their most talented countrymen, at least not in their prime.The following bouts are amongst the most anticipated matchups that never came to be.
For all kinds of reasons, some negotiations simply can’t come to fruition. Here are the greatest Mexican boxing matches that never took place.
My father Toby Vigil Mexican lightweight, California State Champion, was a popular fan favorite at the famous Hollywood Legion Stadium. Known for his movie star good looks and flashy boxing style, Vigil had some epic fights during his career. Toby fought both popular Mexican fighters, Baby Arizmendi and Rodolfo Babyface Casanova. Matched against the popular Mexican Champion Casanova., the bout was held at the Stadium Nacional, in Mexico City. In 1938. The fight was a classic battle held in enemy territory with a boisterous, vociferous crowd. Casanova relentlessly pursued my father post to post attempting to land the big right hand he was known for, all the while eating punishing left/right combinations leaving Casanova’s face a bloody mess with both eyes swollen shut. At the end of ten rounds the referee awarded my dad a hard fought unanimous decision over the Mexican Champion. In 1941 at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, he fought Baby Arizmendi losing a closely contested decision. He said Arizmendi was a very fierce opponent, in which he had to use his left hand overtime, having broke his right hand on Arizmendi’s head in the first round.