Honorable mentions:
Carlos Zárate vs Lupe Pintor II (Rematch)
After a memorable match surrounded by controversy, Zárate was eager to settle the score, but the fight never happened. Devastated by the decision, Zarate would retire from boxing for seven years.
Ricardo “Finito” López vs Jorge “Travieso” Arce
The then young rising star Arce wanted López, putting his undefeated record in trouble, but it was a little too late. López never faced him and retired with his mythical undefeated record.
Baby Arizmendi vs Kid Azteca
Baby Arizmendi, Kid Azteca and Rodolfo “Chango” Casanova were the three Mexican idols of their time. Casanova fought both, but they never faced each other.
Ruben Olivares vs Vicente Saldivar
Two of the best of all time. Though Olivares fought mostly at bantamweight, he was also a featherweight world champion. Sadly, by the time he jumped to 126 pounds, it was too late. Different eras, I would say. There was a time when negotiations for this fight took place, but Saldivar’s manager declined to make it happen.
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.