Nelson entered as the WBC's #10 ranked featherweight contender after accepting the fight as a late replacement. Little known to American fans, the 24-year-old Ghanaian had never faced anyone close to Sanchez's caliber, and many observers expected another successful title defense.
An unusual opponent is injured to go. Only 5,575 fans paid to attend the event, generating a modest gate of $129,244 despite Don King serving as promoter. Sanchez, as a champion and established attraction, received a large purse. Nelson also received the largest payday of his young career, although the official fund figures were not publicly disclosed. Veteran referee Tony Perez officiated the fight.
What happened surprised almost everyone. Instead of getting frustrated, Nelson attacked Sanchez in the opening bell with relentless pressure. He landed hooks, rights and body punches, forcing the champion to engage in one of the toughest fights of his title reign. Nelson took the first few rounds with his aggression and briefly asked Sanchez to back up the ropes, something rarely seen during the champion's reign.
Sanchez began to make the necessary changes. From the middle rounds, his timing was sharp. He began landing crisp left hooks, straight rights and a punishing jab that slowed Nelson's relentless onslaught.
In the seventh round, Sanchez scored the only goal of the fight with a sharp left hook, but Nelson scored the count and survived the rest of the round.
Sanchez closed out the fight by landing sharp combinations and investing in the body, slowly breaking Nelson's charge before the stoppage in the 15th round.
The end came in the 15th and final round. Sanchez sent Nelson off the ropes and landed a flurry of hooks and body shots. Nelson remained loyal but could not defend himself effectively. At 1:49 of Round 15, Perez stepped in and stopped the contest, awarding Sanchez a technical knockout after the best performance of both men's careers.
After the fight, Sanchez praised Nelson's toughness, later describing him as one of the strongest and toughest opponents he had ever faced. The battle proved a career-defining career for both men.
It was the final chapter of Salvador's extraordinary career after his death on August 12, 1982, in a Porsche accident that robbed the boxer of one of his brightest young champions. Many historians still rank him among the greatest featherweights in history despite his short career.
Nelson's defeat was a beginning rather than a retreat. The defeat raised Nelson's name, and he went on to win world titles in three weight classes before being inducted into the World Heavyweight Championship Hall of Fame.
More than four decades later, Sanchez-Nelson has grown in stature. What appeared to be a routine title defense in the summer of 1982 is now remembered as one of the greatest featherweight title fights of all time and the last unforgettable feat of Salvador Sanchez's career.
