Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Jose Becerra

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Sugar Ramos and Ruben Olivares

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Bobby Chacon & Ruben Olivares

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Former WBA Featherweight Champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez Speaks to RSR
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Rinside Report.com

"I still have my trophies and belts hanging around so it reminds me of what I did and was able to accomplish."--Danny "Little Red" Lopez

The 1970’s were a particular fertile time for boxing in Los Angeles and two of the many stars were the Lopez brothers, Ernie “Big Red” and Danny “Little Red.”

Danny, 42-6, 39 KO’s, reached the heights of the featherweight division, winning the WBA Featherweight Title from David Kotey at the Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana, on June 11, 1976. Danny made 8 successful defenses before losing his title and the subsequent rematch, to the remarkable Salvador Sanchez, being stopped by TKO in round 13 on February 2, 1980, and losing the rematch in a failed attempt to regain the title when he suffered a TKO in round 14 on June 6, 1980.

In his career, Lopez had registered major knockout victories over such stalwart opponents as Mike Ayala in the Ring Magazine’s 1974 Fight of the Year, a 15th round knockout, Roberto Castanon, Kotey, Art Hafey, Sean O’Grady, and Ruben Olivares, among other top fighters.

Well-respected Showtime boxing analyst, Steve Farhood, has stated regarding Little Red‘s style and habit of being knocked down and coming back stronger than ever, “Danny Lopez was Matthew Saad Muhammad before there was a Matthew Saad Muhammad.” In addition, he added: “He was as hard a puncher as I’ve ever seen in the featherweight division. He was also very slow and was always getting off the floor to win, which made for great television fights. If he could hit you there was nobody he couldn’t take out.”

Lopez won his title with a 15 round decision over David Kotey, in front of 120,000 screaming fans at the soccer stadium in Kotey’s hometown of Accra, Ghana. The fact that the stadium normally held 80,000 people must have made the noise level and pressure overwhelming; however, Little Red prevailed to win the championship in handy fashion. Danny proved his mastery by scoring a sixth round TKO in a rematch held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 15, 1978.

Today Lopez is a proud father of three young men, a grandfather, and devoted husband. Danny holds down a full-time job in construction, where he lays pipe and other related chores and sounds genuinely happy. He even has his brother Ernie back in his life, who, after taking a circuitous route caused by depressions and other detours now resides with a sister, is well cared for, and has loved ones nearby at all times.

Ernie is a member of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. “Big Red” had spent a long time living alone on the streets and was finally located after an exhaustive search and brought back home. Danny has been quoted as saying: “It was like he came back from the dead, it was good having him back.” Danny has been inducted in the World Boxing Hall of Fame based in Canastota, New York, and enjoys his leisure time participating in celebrity golf tournaments and family functions. Danny was kind enough to share a little of his present day life and his illustrious past.

DH: How are you doing?

I messed up one of my ribs, my back ribs, and I’m kind of sitting inside waiting for that to heal up right now.

DH: How did you do that?

I fell off…we have a pretty good size bed and I fell off and landed on the staircase that we have going up to the bed. It’s made of wood and I cracked a rib.

DH: How long have you been out?

About two weeks.

DH: You’re pretty active aren’t you?

Yeah, pretty much. I’m about to go back to the doctor to have him release me to go back to work.

DH: What kind of work do you do?

I work for a construction company doing water and sewer lines.

DH: Were you doing something else after boxing?

I was doing some acting for a while or trying to.

DH: A little like Carlos Palomino, is that right?

Yeah, a little.

DH: Do you keep in contact with the boxers from your time period?

I see them at a lot of the boxing functions, particularly at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. They are all pretty nice guys, Mando Muniz, Armando Ramos, Carlos Palomino, all of them.

DH: How are you health-wise, except for your rib?

I feel good, yeah.

DH: Do you keep in contact with any of your old opponents?

No, I don’t. I do see Ruben Olivares who I fought. I saw him at the Hall of Fame in Canastota, but I haven’t been back there for about 3 years. Ruben was doing real well.

DH: Did you see Carmen Basilio?

We always see him. What a character.

DH: Are you involved in the Boxing Hall of Fame?

No, just when they invite me to go. My wife, Bonnie, and I have gone there as guests. I don’t really do anything for them except to go play in their golf tournaments.

DH: Do you like to golf?

Yeah, pretty much so, but I don’t know how I swing now.

DH: How long have you been married?

I’ve been married going on 35 years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re real good. We have three boys and four grandkids. My oldest son lives in Idaho and he has our granddaughter, Danielle and grandson, Justin. Danielle is eight and Justine is three.

DH: Do you see them often?

We flew back there this last summer, actually in the spring is when we went. We were there on spring break and we had like five inches of snow. It was ok. We took warm jackets.

DH: What do you remember most about your career?

Probably just winning the title in Ghana, Africa. We were in David Kotey’s home country and we fought in 80% humidity at two in the morning, in the rain. And I still got out of there with the title.

DH: What does it feel like to be a champion?

It’s nice. It’s the top of the world.

DH: Do you still have that same feeling from what you achieved?

Yeah, sure. I still have my trophies and belts hanging around so it reminds me of what I did and was able to accomplish.

DH: Your brother was a very good fighter also.

Yeah, Ernie was very good. He fought “Mantequilla” Napoles twice for the welterweight title, Ernie lost to him the first time in the 14th or 15th round, then he fought him again in ‘75, I think, and lost to him again, he was stopped in the seventh round.

DH: Is he still doing well, I hope?

He was out there in the street for a few years, and then they ended up putting him in the California Boxing Hall of Fame. His ex-wife actually found out where he was…nobody knew where he was. He was on the street in San Antonio, Texas, and they flew him in and inducted him in the Hall. He is living with our sister Naomi now.

DH: Is he healthy now?

Well with the life he had on the road and the shots he’s taken, he’s not really too sharp. His memory is kind of messed up.

DH: Your memory sounds good.

Yeah, I’m not in too bad shape. Bobby Chacon is in bad shape now but he is still a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.

DH: How were you able to take those hard punches and keep going?

I had a hard head. (Laughs)

DH: Did you like to fight when you were in school?

I boxed in the amateurs, started out at 16 and fought in a boxing club in Orem, Utah. Then when I left high school, I moved out here to turn pro. I had some problems in school, not too bad, then boxing took over.

DH: You were known to have a big punch in either hand, weren’t you?

I had a pretty good right hand and my left hand was pretty strong too.

DH: How long was your career?

I turned pro in 1972 and retired in 1980, after Salvador Sanchez came and beat me. He was powerful.

DH: Terribly sad ending for Sanchez, wasn’t it?

Yes, the automobile crash. Bad news.

DH: There must be a reason why some of us keep going and others don’t.

I guess so, everything has a reason.

DH: Beside the Kotey fight is there one fight or fighter that stands out to you?

My stablemate, Alberto Davila. I just spoke with him last night. He called me and we kind of keep in contact every month or so. I remember his birthday and he remembers mine, he calls up and we reminisce a little bit here and there. Alberto was a bantamweight champion of the world. He was from Pomona, California and lives nearby in Upland, now. He is doing well and works for a cabinet building company.

DH: What do you do for hobbies and stuff?

Mainly I golf in the celebrity golf tournaments. That’s my main passion. That’s about it.

DH: It’s been a pleasure. Is there anything you’d like to add for the readers?

Obviously, my wife is responsible for 90% of the success of my career. I have been with her since I was an amateur. A good wife contributes to a good boxer and I think Albert Davila could say the same about his wife and that’s about it.

[dagosd2000]

Former WBA Featherweight Champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez Speaks to RSR
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Rinside Report.com

"I still have my trophies and belts hanging around so it reminds me of what I did and was able to accomplish."--Danny "Little Red" Lopez

The 1970’s were a particular fertile time for boxing in Los Angeles and two of the many stars were the Lopez brothers, Ernie “Big Red” and Danny “Little Red.”

Danny, 42-6, 39 KO’s, reached the heights of the featherweight division, winning the WBA Featherweight Title from David Kotey at the Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana, on June 11, 1976. Danny made 8 successful defenses before losing his title and the subsequent rematch, to the remarkable Salvador Sanchez, being stopped by TKO in round 13 on February 2, 1980, and losing the rematch in a failed attempt to regain the title when he suffered a TKO in round 14 on June 6, 1980.

In his career, Lopez had registered major knockout victories over such stalwart opponents as Mike Ayala in the Ring Magazine’s 1974 Fight of the Year, a 15th round knockout, Roberto Castanon, Kotey, Art Hafey, Sean O’Grady, and Ruben Olivares, among other top fighters.

Well-respected Showtime boxing analyst, Steve Farhood, has stated regarding Little Red‘s style and habit of being knocked down and coming back stronger than ever, “Danny Lopez was Matthew Saad Muhammad before there was a Matthew Saad Muhammad.” In addition, he added: “He was as hard a puncher as I’ve ever seen in the featherweight division. He was also very slow and was always getting off the floor to win, which made for great television fights. If he could hit you there was nobody he couldn’t take out.”

Lopez won his title with a 15 round decision over David Kotey, in front of 120,000 screaming fans at the soccer stadium in Kotey’s hometown of Accra, Ghana. The fact that the stadium normally held 80,000 people must have made the noise level and pressure overwhelming; however, Little Red prevailed to win the championship in handy fashion. Danny proved his mastery by scoring a sixth round TKO in a rematch held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 15, 1978.

Today Lopez is a proud father of three young men, a grandfather, and devoted husband. Danny holds down a full-time job in construction, where he lays pipe and other related chores and sounds genuinely happy. He even has his brother Ernie back in his life, who, after taking a circuitous route caused by depressions and other detours now resides with a sister, is well cared for, and has loved ones nearby at all times.

Ernie is a member of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. “Big Red” had spent a long time living alone on the streets and was finally located after an exhaustive search and brought back home. Danny has been quoted as saying: “It was like he came back from the dead, it was good having him back.” Danny has been inducted in the World Boxing Hall of Fame based in Canastota, New York, and enjoys his leisure time participating in celebrity golf tournaments and family functions. Danny was kind enough to share a little of his present day life and his illustrious past.

DH: How are you doing?

I messed up one of my ribs, my back ribs, and I’m kind of sitting inside waiting for that to heal up right now.

DH: How did you do that?

I fell off…we have a pretty good size bed and I fell off and landed on the staircase that we have going up to the bed. It’s made of wood and I cracked a rib.

DH: How long have you been out?

About two weeks.

DH: You’re pretty active aren’t you?

Yeah, pretty much. I’m about to go back to the doctor to have him release me to go back to work.

DH: What kind of work do you do?

I work for a construction company doing water and sewer lines.

DH: Were you doing something else after boxing?

I was doing some acting for a while or trying to.

DH: A little like Carlos Palomino, is that right?

Yeah, a little.

DH: Do you keep in contact with the boxers from your time period?

I see them at a lot of the boxing functions, particularly at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. They are all pretty nice guys, Mando Muniz, Armando Ramos, Carlos Palomino, all of them.

DH: How are you health-wise, except for your rib?

I feel good, yeah.

DH: Do you keep in contact with any of your old opponents?

No, I don’t. I do see Ruben Olivares who I fought. I saw him at the Hall of Fame in Canastota, but I haven’t been back there for about 3 years. Ruben was doing real well.

DH: Did you see Carmen Basilio?

We always see him. What a character.

DH: Are you involved in the Boxing Hall of Fame?

No, just when they invite me to go. My wife, Bonnie, and I have gone there as guests. I don’t really do anything for them except to go play in their golf tournaments.

DH: Do you like to golf?

Yeah, pretty much so, but I don’t know how I swing now.

DH: How long have you been married?

I’ve been married going on 35 years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re real good. We have three boys and four grandkids. My oldest son lives in Idaho and he has our granddaughter, Danielle and grandson, Justin. Danielle is eight and Justine is three.

DH: Do you see them often?

We flew back there this last summer, actually in the spring is when we went. We were there on spring break and we had like five inches of snow. It was ok. We took warm jackets.

DH: What do you remember most about your career?

Probably just winning the title in Ghana, Africa. We were in David Kotey’s home country and we fought in 80% humidity at two in the morning, in the rain. And I still got out of there with the title.

DH: What does it feel like to be a champion?

It’s nice. It’s the top of the world.

DH: Do you still have that same feeling from what you achieved?

Yeah, sure. I still have my trophies and belts hanging around so it reminds me of what I did and was able to accomplish.

DH: Your brother was a very good fighter also.

Yeah, Ernie was very good. He fought “Mantequilla” Napoles twice for the welterweight title, Ernie lost to him the first time in the 14th or 15th round, then he fought him again in ‘75, I think, and lost to him again, he was stopped in the seventh round.

DH: Is he still doing well, I hope?

He was out there in the street for a few years, and then they ended up putting him in the California Boxing Hall of Fame. His ex-wife actually found out where he was…nobody knew where he was. He was on the street in San Antonio, Texas, and they flew him in and inducted him in the Hall. He is living with our sister Naomi now.

DH: Is he healthy now?

Well with the life he had on the road and the shots he’s taken, he’s not really too sharp. His memory is kind of messed up.

DH: Your memory sounds good.

Yeah, I’m not in too bad shape. Bobby Chacon is in bad shape now but he is still a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.

DH: How were you able to take those hard punches and keep going?

I had a hard head. (Laughs)

DH: Did you like to fight when you were in school?

I boxed in the amateurs, started out at 16 and fought in a boxing club in Orem, Utah. Then when I left high school, I moved out here to turn pro. I had some problems in school, not too bad, then boxing took over.

DH: You were known to have a big punch in either hand, weren’t you?

I had a pretty good right hand and my left hand was pretty strong too.

DH: How long was your career?

I turned pro in 1972 and retired in 1980, after Salvador Sanchez came and beat me. He was powerful.

DH: Terribly sad ending for Sanchez, wasn’t it?

Yes, the automobile crash. Bad news.

DH: There must be a reason why some of us keep going and others don’t.

I guess so, everything has a reason.

DH: Beside the Kotey fight is there one fight or fighter that stands out to you?

My stablemate, Alberto Davila. I just spoke with him last night. He called me and we kind of keep in contact every month or so. I remember his birthday and he remembers mine, he calls up and we reminisce a little bit here and there. Alberto was a bantamweight champion of the world. He was from Pomona, California and lives nearby in Upland, now. He is doing well and works for a cabinet building company.

DH: What do you do for hobbies and stuff?

Mainly I golf in the celebrity golf tournaments. That’s my main passion. That’s about it.

DH: It’s been a pleasure. Is there anything you’d like to add for the readers?

Obviously, my wife is responsible for 90% of the success of my career. I have been with her since I was an amateur. A good wife contributes to a good boxer and I think Albert Davila could say the same about his wife and that’s about it.

Frank,
Nice article by Dan Hernandez.He does a great job interviewing the fighters.Little Red landed on his feet the right way.You can tell his wife is very devoted to him.Too many writers like to do stories on athletes who get in trouble.It's an OK story if the athlete can correct his mistakes.From reading about Little Red,he didn't have to correct too much. Real decent guy. Always wears a suit at the various functions. Some people think a life like his is not that exciting. Depends on what you consider exciting.

[bennie]

Our own Harry Gibbs refereed Lopez's brilliant win over Kotey in front of a huge crowd of around 80,000. Gibbs always hailed it as the best fight he ever saw, and he saw it close up. They rang the final bell early to save Kotey getting stopped.

[bennie]

Wilfredo Benitez vs Harold Weston

Weston was one durable mother. He was stopped twice in his career: the first time when he broke his jaw against Cuevas: the second, when he detatched his retina against Hearns. I think it's fair to say he had good reasons for those defeats.

[kikibalt]

Our own Harry Gibbs refereed Lopez's brilliant win over Kotey in front of a huge crowd of around 80,000. Gibbs always hailed it as the best fight he ever saw, and he saw it close up. They rang the final bell early to save Kotey getting stopped.

Thanks Bennie for your insight on Danny's win over Kotey.

[bennie]

Our own Harry Gibbs refereed Lopez's brilliant win over Kotey in front of a huge crowd of around 80,000. Gibbs always hailed it as the best fight he ever saw, and he saw it close up. They rang the final bell early to save Kotey getting stopped.

Thanks Bennie for your insight on Danny's win over Kotey.

Thank YOU, Sir Frank of Baltazar.
Lopez took a long break after that gruelling win, which was smart. Then he came back afresh and rattled off all those defences. His knockout of Malvarez on the Ali-Spinks bill in New Orleans in 1978 is one that lingers in the memory. He hit Malvarez so hard with the right, the Argentinian's left leg trembled before it gave way. It is quite something to see.

[bennie]

Oscar Bonavena

Bonavena's performance against Ali (admittedly a rusty Ali) is one that rarely gets a mention, but he really hurt Ali, shook him to his boots. When you consider the fights Oscar also gave Joe Frazier, the burly Argentine has to be considered every bit as good as Jerry Quarry.

[bennie]

The look of a man about to half-kill Jess Willard.

[scartissue]

Wilfredo Benitez vs Harold Weston

Weston was one durable mother. He was stopped twice in his career: the first time when he broke his jaw against Cuevas: the second, when he detatched his retina against Hearns. I think it's fair to say he had good reasons for those defeats.

Bennie, I always like Harold Weston and thought he was doing a good job in the Hearns fight until Clancy pulled him out because of the eye. Nice boxer who didn't might gettting stuck in even if he wasn't a banger. Had some nice wins over Antuofermo, Mattiolli and Andy 'the Hawk' Price and some hard luck draws with Hedgemon Lewis, Saoul Mamby and Benitez. Would have liked to seen him matched against Clyde Gray and 'Boy' Green, which would have been excellent matches.

Scartissue

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Frank,
Nice article by Dan Hernandez.He does a great job interviewing the fighters.Little Red landed on his feet the right way.You can tell his wife is very devoted to him.Too many writers like to do stories on athletes who get in trouble.It's an OK story if the athlete can correct his mistakes.From reading about Little Red,he didn't have to correct too much. Real decent guy. Always wears a suit at the various functions. Some people think a life like his is not that exciting. Depends on what you consider exciting.

diego,

Here is a pic. of Dan Hernandez that I shot some months ago whe he stopped at my house for a talk.
He is a real nice guy.


Dan Hernandez

[dagosd2000]

Frank,
Nice article by Dan Hernandez.He does a great job interviewing the fighters.Little Red landed on his feet the right way.You can tell his wife is very devoted to him.Too many writers like to do stories on athletes who get in trouble.It's an OK story if the athlete can correct his mistakes.From reading about Little Red,he didn't have to correct too much. Real decent guy. Always wears a suit at the various functions. Some people think a life like his is not that exciting. Depends on what you consider exciting.

diego,

Here is a pic. of Dan Hernandez that I shot some months ago whe he stopped at my house for a talk.
He is a real nice guy.


Dan Hernandez

Frank
Thanks for posting that. I can tell by looking at him that he's not a self serving guy. Puts the fighters at ease. Gets the most out of who he's interviewing by making them feel relaxed. A real pro.

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Rodolfo Gonzalez getting his hands wrapped by Benny Conyers

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diego, here's an interview I did with Dan Hernandez.

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Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez

"Indian Red"
By Diego

Great job diego, you out did yourself this time

[dagosd2000]

[quote="kikibalt"]Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez

"Indian Red"
By Diego

Great job diego, you out did yourself this time

Thanks Frank
That interview I remember reading before. Writers like Hernandez understand that the person they're interviewing is the focus.You get an open story. I remember Clay when he was coming up.Interviewers would sort of challenge him and judge his remarks. They never got much out of him except maybe anger or clowning. I can't remember the fellow who interviewed Ali before his match with Folley. He let Ali be the showcase. I can't remember Ali ever giving a more professional serious response to this guy's questions. I don't know if you ever watch it,but the fights that are broadcast on cable from Mexico are similar in style. The announcers never try to upstage the fighters when they do an interview. Thus you get an honest straight forward answer,and no hard feelings afterward.

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Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez

[bennie]

Frankie, remind us of that ride in the car with Joe Louis again. What was he like to talk to, etc?
A nice guy?

[kikibalt]

Frankie, remind us of that ride in the car with Joe Louis again. What was he like to talk to, etc?
A nice guy?

I want to post a little story here about how I met the man that I think was the greatest heavyweight of all times Joe Louis , in 1977 we, my son Frankie Baltazar , the late Johnny Flores trainer, an myself left L.A to go to Miami Fl., Frankie was going to fight Francisco Villegas on Don King's u.s tournament , Larry Holmes was also going to fight , that was the week end the scandal broke, anyway getting back to Louis it was a sad & happy experience for me , sad because I was seening Louis working for Don King ,he was suppose to be our driver , happy because I met the greatest heavyweight of all time ,he was to drive us where we needed to go , well I was't going to let the great Louis drive the Baltazar's around , him and Johnny were old buddys from back in the WWII days , so I had them sit in the back of the car an I took the wheel an I drove Joe Louis around.

Bennie,

Above is the post that I posted some time back on Joe Louis, I found Louis to be a man of not too many words, and he spoke so low that it was hard for me to hear what he was saying when he and Johnny were riding in the back of the car, when we were just hanging out I found him to be a very humble man, but at the same time fun to be around, it was a great experience for me to say the least.

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Five Time World Title Challenger Mitsunori Seki Passes Away
June 12th, 2008
By Jim Amato

photo courtesy David Martinez private collection
World Flyweight Championship / Tokyo, Japan / June 27, 1961
Mitsunori Seki (left) loses 15 round split decision to Pone Kingpetch

I recently learned that one of Japan’s first great boxers, Mitsunori Seki passed away. He was the victim of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 66. Seki was good enough to challenge for a world title no less then five times during the 1960’s.

Seki first attempted to win the flyweight title from Thailand’s Pone Kingpetch. On this occasion Seki lost a close decision. Seki would move up to bantamweight but he met disaster at the hands of Mexico’s Joe Medal who stopped him in five. Seki then entered the featherweight division and eventually earned a shot at champion Sugar Ramos. The talented Ramos proved to be too much for Seki and retained his crown. Ramos would later lose his championship to the great Vincente Saldivar. Seki would get yet another chance as he met Saldivar. It was a tough fight but Saldivar would retain his title. It was close enough to justify a rematch so Saldivar and Seki went at it again. This time Saldivar proved he was the best featherweight in the world.

Saldivar would then relinquish the title after defeating Howard Winstone and the WBC matched Seki with Winstone for the vacated crown. Seki would lose by a controversial stoppage thus failing in his fifth attempt at world honors. Seki would retire with an outstanding 61-11-1 record. He scored 35 knockouts. Seki along with Hiroyuki Ebihara, the great Fighting Harada and others helped follow 1950’s flyweight titlist Yoshio Shirai in establishing Japan as a force to be reckoned with in the world of boxing. At the time of his death Seki was a successful and respected trainer. May he rest in peace.

[kikibalt]

El Gato dropping Antonio Puddu in the 2nd round

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Sam Langford

"Sam"
By Diego