Danny Lopez
Encyclopedia
Danny Lopez is a former American boxer
from Fort Duchesne, Utah
. He was world Featherweight champion, and a very popular fighter both in television and Southern California
, during the 1970s. His nickname is Little Red.
, and Irish
heritage. He had been moved from one foster home to another, and coming off a Ute Indian Reservation in Utah, he finally found a home in Southern California. . He is also the brother of welterweight contender Ernie Lopez
. He is married to Bonnie Lopez and has three sons, Bronson, Jeremy, and Dylan.
Steve Flajole in one round at Los Angeles
. He won his first 21 fights in a row by knockout, in one of the longest knockout win streaks ever. During that streak, all but one of his fights were in Los Angeles, a fact which could be credited for his popularity in the area. The only one of his fights among those 21 fights outside Los Angeles took place in Honolulu
, where he beat Ushiwakamaru Harada by a knockout in three.
On January 17, 1974, Genzo Kurosaw became the first person to go the distance with Lopez, Lopez winning by a ten round decision. His next fight, a month later, in Mexicali
, Mexico, was his first fight abroad. He beat Memo Rodriguez by a knockout in nine rounds there.
People in Los Angeles were eager to see Lopez and another up-and-coming Angelino, Bobby Chacon
, square off inside a ring. The fight took place on May 24, and Lopez won by a knockout in round nine. In his next fight, he won once again by a knockout in round nine, this time to Shig Furuyama.
After defeating Octavio Gómez to begin 1975, Lopez went into a roll: He began by beating Chucho Castillo
by a knockout in two rounds. Two more wins, and he was faced with Rubén Olivares
, whom he beat by a knockout in seven rounds, after recovering from a first round knockdown himself.
In 1976, he beat Sean O' Grady by knockout in four, Gómez by knockout in three and Art Hafey by knockout in seven. Finally ranked number one by the WBC
, he travelled to Ghana
to challenge world Featherweight champion David Kotei
in front of an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 Kotei partisans. Lopez became world champion by outpointing Kotey over 15 rounds on November 6. This trip proved to be troublesome for the new champion, however: back in his hotel room, he tried to call his family in the United States to announce the good news, but all communication systems had been cut down in Ghana. Lopez then tried to send them a telegram through the American embassy in Accra, but they too were affected by the system failure and could not get his message through. Lopez's family was finally able to realize that Danny was a world champion when they picked him up at the airport one week later.
Lopez won three fights in 1977, retaining the title once, against José Torres by a knockout in round seven.
He and Kotei had a rematch on February 15 of 1978, as part of the undercard where Leon Spinks
dethroned Muhammad Ali
of the world Heavyweight title. Lopez knocked Kotey out in round six of their rematch, and then he retained the title against Jose DePaula by knockout in round six, and Juan Malvares (on the undercard where Ali regained the title from Spinks) by knockout in two. On October 21, he had a fight with Fel Clemente, against whom he retained the world title with a four round disqualification in Italy.
By the end of 1978, there was much talk of a super-fight against world Jr. Featherweight champion Wilfredo Gómez
, but the bout never materialized.
His fight on March 10 of 1979 against Spain's Roberto Castanon in Salt Lake City
, not only marked the first time he defended his world title in his home-state, but the first time he fought in his home-state as a professional period. He retained the crown with a ten round knockout. Then, on June 17, at San Antonio
, Lopez and Mike Ayala
fought what boxing book The Ring: Boxing in the 20th Century called one of the best fights of 1979. Lopez retained the title with a 15th round knockout, but the fight was marred by the finding afterwards that Ayala had been fighting under the influence of drugs. Nevertheless, this did not affect the fight's result, but left many to speculate about how the fight would have ended had Ayala not been drugged during it. Ayala himself admitted to have been, in his own words, loaded on the day of the fight.
Lopez went on to defend the title once more that year, knocking out Jose Caba in three rounds.
Lopez's reign as world champion came to an end on February 2, 1980, at the Arizona Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix
. He met Salvador Sánchez
that day, and he lost by knockout in round 13, giving him his first professional loss while Sanchez shocked the boxing world. A rematch was fought on June 21, in Las Vegas
, and that time around, Lopez was knocked out in the 1st round, while Sanchez legacy started to begin. He announced his retirement after that fight, Salvador Sanchez was the only fighter to ever defeat Lopez.
In 1985, he talked about a comeback, but decided not to do it.
His record was of 42 wins and 2 losses, with 39 wins by knockout.
On June 2010, Lopez and 12 other boxing personalities were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame
.
signing circuit. He returned to live in Utah
full-time after stepping away from the boxing ring for the last time, then moved to Los Angeles, where he works as a construction worker. Today he lives in Chino Hills, CA.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Fort Duchesne, Utah
Fort Duchesne, Utah
Fort Duchesne is a census-designated place in Uintah County, Utah, United States. The population was 621 at the 2000 census, a slight decrease from the 1990 figure of 655...
. He was world Featherweight champion, and a very popular fighter both in television and Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, during the 1970s. His nickname is Little Red.
Background
Lopez is of Ute Indian, MexicanMexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
, and Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
heritage. He had been moved from one foster home to another, and coming off a Ute Indian Reservation in Utah, he finally found a home in Southern California. . He is also the brother of welterweight contender Ernie Lopez
Ernie Lopez
Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez , was an American professional boxer. He twice fought for the world welterweight boxing title, losing title bouts to José Nápoles in 1970 and 1973...
. He is married to Bonnie Lopez and has three sons, Bronson, Jeremy, and Dylan.
Pro career
Lopez began boxing professionally on May 27, 1971, knocking outKnockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
Steve Flajole in one round at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. He won his first 21 fights in a row by knockout, in one of the longest knockout win streaks ever. During that streak, all but one of his fights were in Los Angeles, a fact which could be credited for his popularity in the area. The only one of his fights among those 21 fights outside Los Angeles took place in Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, where he beat Ushiwakamaru Harada by a knockout in three.
On January 17, 1974, Genzo Kurosaw became the first person to go the distance with Lopez, Lopez winning by a ten round decision. His next fight, a month later, in Mexicali
Mexicali
Mexicali is the capital of the State of Baja California, seat of the Municipality of Mexicali, and 2nd largest city in Baja California. The City of Mexicali has a population of 689,775, according to the 2010 census, while the population of the entire metropolitan area reaches 936,826.The city...
, Mexico, was his first fight abroad. He beat Memo Rodriguez by a knockout in nine rounds there.
People in Los Angeles were eager to see Lopez and another up-and-coming Angelino, Bobby Chacon
Bobby Chacon
Bobby Chacon is an American former, two-time, world boxing champion.-Career:Chacon turned professional in 1972 and won his first 19 fights, including a win against former champion Jesus Castillo...
, square off inside a ring. The fight took place on May 24, and Lopez won by a knockout in round nine. In his next fight, he won once again by a knockout in round nine, this time to Shig Furuyama.
After defeating Octavio Gómez to begin 1975, Lopez went into a roll: He began by beating Chucho Castillo
Chucho Castillo
Jesus Castillo Aguillera is a former Mexican boxer. Better known as Chucho Castillo, he was WBA and WBC Bantamweight champion in 1970....
by a knockout in two rounds. Two more wins, and he was faced with Rubén Olivares
Rubén Olivares
Rubén Olivares is a former Mexican boxer and current member of the Boxing Hall of Fame. A native of Mexico City, Olivares was a world champion multiple times, and considered by many as the greatest bantamweight champion of all time. He was very popular among Mexicans, many of whom considered him...
, whom he beat by a knockout in seven rounds, after recovering from a first round knockdown himself.
In 1976, he beat Sean O' Grady by knockout in four, Gómez by knockout in three and Art Hafey by knockout in seven. Finally ranked number one by the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
, he travelled to Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
to challenge world Featherweight champion David Kotei
David Kotei
David Kotei born on December 7, 1950 in Accra, Ghana, was a world featherweight boxing champion between 1975 and 1976 and was also the first Ghanaian professional boxer to win a world title. He was popularly called "D.K. Poison"....
in front of an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 Kotei partisans. Lopez became world champion by outpointing Kotey over 15 rounds on November 6. This trip proved to be troublesome for the new champion, however: back in his hotel room, he tried to call his family in the United States to announce the good news, but all communication systems had been cut down in Ghana. Lopez then tried to send them a telegram through the American embassy in Accra, but they too were affected by the system failure and could not get his message through. Lopez's family was finally able to realize that Danny was a world champion when they picked him up at the airport one week later.
Lopez won three fights in 1977, retaining the title once, against José Torres by a knockout in round seven.
He and Kotei had a rematch on February 15 of 1978, as part of the undercard where Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks is a former American boxer. He had an overall record of 26 wins, 17 losses and 3 draws as a professional, with 14 knockout wins, and was the former World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association heavyweight champion of the world...
dethroned Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
of the world Heavyweight title. Lopez knocked Kotey out in round six of their rematch, and then he retained the title against Jose DePaula by knockout in round six, and Juan Malvares (on the undercard where Ali regained the title from Spinks) by knockout in two. On October 21, he had a fight with Fel Clemente, against whom he retained the world title with a four round disqualification in Italy.
By the end of 1978, there was much talk of a super-fight against world Jr. Featherweight champion Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo Gómez , sometimes referred to as Bazooka Gómez, is a former boxer and three time world champion.-Biography:...
, but the bout never materialized.
His fight on March 10 of 1979 against Spain's Roberto Castanon in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, not only marked the first time he defended his world title in his home-state, but the first time he fought in his home-state as a professional period. He retained the crown with a ten round knockout. Then, on June 17, at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Lopez and Mike Ayala
Mike Ayala
Mike Ayala is a retired Mexican American professional boxer in the Featherweight division. Ayala is the former NABF Super Bantamweight and NABF Featherweight Champion.-Early life:...
fought what boxing book The Ring: Boxing in the 20th Century called one of the best fights of 1979. Lopez retained the title with a 15th round knockout, but the fight was marred by the finding afterwards that Ayala had been fighting under the influence of drugs. Nevertheless, this did not affect the fight's result, but left many to speculate about how the fight would have ended had Ayala not been drugged during it. Ayala himself admitted to have been, in his own words, loaded on the day of the fight.
Lopez went on to defend the title once more that year, knocking out Jose Caba in three rounds.
Lopez's reign as world champion came to an end on February 2, 1980, at the Arizona Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. He met Salvador Sánchez
Salvador Sánchez
Salvador Sánchez Narváez was a Mexican boxer born in the town of Santiago Tianguistenco, Estado de México. Many of his contemporaries as well as boxing writers believe that, had it not been for his premature death, Sanchez could have gone on to become the greatest Featherweight boxer of all time...
that day, and he lost by knockout in round 13, giving him his first professional loss while Sanchez shocked the boxing world. A rematch was fought on June 21, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, and that time around, Lopez was knocked out in the 1st round, while Sanchez legacy started to begin. He announced his retirement after that fight, Salvador Sanchez was the only fighter to ever defeat Lopez.
In 1985, he talked about a comeback, but decided not to do it.
His record was of 42 wins and 2 losses, with 39 wins by knockout.
On June 2010, Lopez and 12 other boxing personalities were inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
.
Life After Boxing
Lopez has remained active during his latest retirement in the social sphere: He has been the object of various dedications and been active on the autographAutograph
An autograph is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.Autograph also refers to a person's artistic signature...
signing circuit. He returned to live in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
full-time after stepping away from the boxing ring for the last time, then moved to Los Angeles, where he works as a construction worker. Today he lives in Chino Hills, CA.
Honors
- Inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame - 2005
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame - 2010