the bell rang to end round fifteen, signifying the end of the bout. Fans gave both fighters a standing ovation after the bout was over. Sanchez retained the title by unanimous decision, with scores of 148-142 (8-2-5 in rounds), 146-139 (11-4) and 147-140 (10-3-2). The aftermath Sanchez was so impressed by his foe's performance that he went over to Laporte's dressing room and told Laporte that he would be the next great world Featherweight champion. Laporte and Sanchez forged a friendship that lasted for the rest of Sanchez's life after the bout. On August 21, 1981, Sanchez finally reached cross-over celebrity when he knocked out Gómez, as aforementioned, in eight rounds at Las Vegas, Nevada. After having defeated Azumah Nelson to retain his title, Sanchez reportedly signed a contract to fight Laporte in a rematch, and he went to training soon after. Sanchez's words to Laporte after their fight would tragically become prophetic when Sanchez was killed in a car accident on August 12 of 1982, and, on September 15, Laporte captured the vacant WBC world Featherweight title by knocking out Mario Miranda in ten rounds at the Madison Square Garden. External links ringsidereport.com Boxing matches 1980 in boxing Boxing in Texas Sports in El Paso, Texas 1980 in sports in Texas December 1980 sports events in the United States