Since Mexico's first world champion in 1913 with Juan Zurita, 171 tricolor champions have paraded in rings around the world, giving away some epic fights that have marked epochs.
DAZN takes you on a tour of the names that left a great mark — has Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who returns to action Saturday to challenge Dmitry Bivol for light-heavyweight gold, already done enough to be considered in the top 10 despite still being an active fighter?
Here, in no particular order, are the boxers this writer considers to be the greatest that Mexico has ever produced.
Julio César Chávez (career: 1980-2005)
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A must in all lists of the best Mexican fighters of all time. The Sinaloa native and Hall of Famer coined a 107-6-2, 85 KOs record and conquered three divisions, becoming the first Mexican to do so. He also set the record for most championship fights fought with 37, 31 of which he came out on top, drew two and lost four. He remained undefeated for 90 fights and was recognized in 1990 as the best boxer in the world. He also holds the attendance record for a boxing fight with 132,274 fans, a record that has been held since the 90s.
Rubén "Púas" Olivares (1965-1988)
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One of Mexico's idols and one of the first to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. El Púas - the first Mexican double world champion - had a special connection with the fans and during his 23 active years he won the WBA and WBC bantamweight crowns, as well as the WBA and WBC featherweight crowns. For fights with Lionel Rose, Chucho Castillo, Efren Torres, Bobby Chacon, Jose and Alexis Arguello. He won the hearts of many, even the complicated boxing fans in California. He remained undefeated in 62 fights.
Salvador "Sal" Sanchez (1975-1982)
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One of the eternal figures of Aztec boxing. Salvador Sanchez not only left a mark for what he did in the ring, but also for the tragic nature of his death. With two years as champion and seven as a professional boxer, thanks to his qualities in the ring, Sal won the admiration of all and sundry. He died in an automobile accident at the age of 23, but after having defeated historical fighters such as Azumah Nelson, Wilfredo Gómez, Juan Laporte, Rubén Castillo, among others.
Carlos "Cañas" Zarate (1970-1988)
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Owner of a devastating punch, one which led him to build a record of 66-4, 63 KOs, his bantamweight went down in history as one of the best. He challenged 11 times for the world championship and won 10 of them by knockout. Zarate tested himself against Alfonso Zamora (in the legendary "The Battle of the Z's"), Wilfredo Gomez, Lupe Pintor, Jeff Fenech and Daniel Zaragoza, remaining undefeated for 52 fights.
Raúl "Ratón" Macías (1952-1962)
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He is considered the first great Mexican legend. In only 10 years the idol of Tepito forged a career of 41-2, 25 KOs. He was champion of the National Boxing Association (the grandfather of the WBA). His loss to Alphonse Halimi left a deep wound in boxing fans. He retired young, but took advantage of his fame and to always be surrounded by figures such as Mexican movie legends María Félix, Pedro Infante and "Cantinflas".
Ricardo "Finito" López (1985-2001)
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The fighter from Mexico City is one of the few world champions who retired undefeated. Ricardo did it with 52 fights in his 16-year career. He was a minor bantamweight and defended his crown 22 times.
Érik "Terrible" Morales (1993-2012)
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The pride of Tijuana is considered one of the most exciting fighters ever; owner of an aggressive, technical and very efficient boxing that led him to be the first Mexican to win four divisions. He was also the first Mexican to beat the dangerous Manny Pacquiao, and his record includes names such as Junior Jones, Wayne McCullough, Marco Antonio Barrera, Kevin Kelley, Guty Espadas Jr., Paulie Ayala, Jesus Chavez, Carlos Hernandez, Marcos Maidana and Danny Garcia. Along with Barrera, he twice starred in the fight of the year.
Marco Antonio "Baby-Faced Assassin" Barrera (1989-2011)
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His name will be linked to Erik Morales' after that trilogy that left fans in love. Born in Iztacalco, Mexico City, he was a three-time world champion and one of his greatest victories was when he dismantled Naseem Hamed in 2001, one of the kings of the pound-for-pound rankings. Barrera had 25 championship fights in which he won 21 and lost only four. He faced Kennedy McKinney, Jesus Salud, Hamed, Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley, Paulie Ayala, Robbie Peden, Rocky Juarez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan.
Juan Manuel 'Dinamita' Marquez (1993-2014)
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The knockout he delivered in the fourth fight to Manny Pacquiao was recorded as one of the greatest and most spectacular triumphs in the history of Mexican boxing. Owner of a very polite style, with great and very effective counterpunching, "Dinamita" became the second four-time champion in boxing history.
Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez (2005-present)
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He is the only one who has not yet ended his professional career, but his legacy is very well established in terms of his record and statistics. Canelo, at 31 years of age, has won four categories and is the only Mexican with an undisputed championship. However, he still has plans to invade even a fifth category. So far, he has a record of 57-1-2, with 39 KOs. He is the current pound-for-pound king and the one who generates the most money every time he steps into the ring, and he assured that he still has 7 more years left in his career.