Mauricio Sulaiman pays respects after Mexican great passes away.
Mexico is one of the most boxing-mad countries in the world. The nation is second only to the United States, in fact, for the most world champions produced in the sport’s history.
Their fighters are characterised by their aggression, grit, determination, and heart. Many times has an unknown Mexican produced an almighty upset, and many times more will it happen.
When it comes to who the very greatest boxers are to come out of Mexico, you will invariably hear talk of Julio César Chávez, Salvador Sanchez, Ruben Olivares, and Baby Arizmendi.
Some will bring up the unbeaten phenomenon that was Ricardo López, while those versed in the more recent era of the sport will likely speak of Juan Manuel Márquez and Canelo Álvarez.
All fine, fine examples for many, many different reasons. But those who are truly initiated, those who are truly aware, will spare much more than just a thought to another true great of the country.
Miguel Canto did not embody what is typically expected of a Mexican boxer. He was not a slugger or a pressure fighter. He was a slickster, a defensive wizard. A genius, even.
In addition, he lost his professional debut. In fact, he was stopped in three rounds by a debutant named Raul Hernandez who never fought again after that night.
Wherever Hernandez is now, if he’s still around, one wonders if he is aware of just what type of fighter the man he shared the ring with in 1969 would later become.
For despite those previously mentioned aspects of Canto’s career, he is regarded by some very respected minds as the greatest flyweight boxer of all time.
In 74 outings, “El Maestro” posted a record of 61-9-4. He went 2-1 against Betulio Gonzalez, probably the best boxer in the history of Venezuela. He bested Shoji Oguma on three occasions and scored additional wins over Gabriel Bernal and Antonio Avelar.
When Canto beat Oguma in their first clash to win the WBC and The Ring titles, he would proceed to make 14 successful defences of the belts in a span of just under four years.
When he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1998, nobody doubted his eligibility. His achievements require no explanation.
Miguel Canto was the type of fighter who left an imprint of himself in every ring he entered. Not a physical one or even a spiritual one, but something more than that. Something that nobody could see, but everybody knew was there.
Maybe it was the split-second sound of the whirr of his fists, the whoosh of his feet, or something else entirely. But he left something in every ring he set foot in, something the canvas will remember forever.
Something golden and preserved eternally in a small, yet wonderful, moment in time.
Something beautiful.
Miguel Canto passed away today at the age of 78, and respects have been paid online by those who knew him, one of which is WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, the man whose organisation was enriched beyond measure by a brilliant champion who held its title.
Canto was a man who stood only 5’0½”, who weighed only 116 pounds on the heaviest night of his career, yet hardly anyone stood taller. Hardly anyone loomed larger.
And as far as his weight class is concerned, you can argue no-one did.
Despite his stature, Canto was a giant, an absolute colossus, and he deserves to be remembered as such.
When next somebody begins to speak of the greatest boxers to come out of Mexico, please, if you will, do not neglect to bring up Miguel Canto. Spare him much more than just a thought.
Rest in peace to an absolute master of his craft.
Con profunda tristeza me entero que Fallecio el inmortal campeón Miguel Canto, uno de los héroes de la península Yucateca gran campeón mosca WBC y maravilloso ser humano
Dios lo tenga en su santa gloria pic.twitter.com/M4SUPuVTIB— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) April 16, 2026
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