Eddie “The Animal” Lopez, a familiar boxing name from the past, passed away in his native Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 61.
Eddie was a heavyweight who looked like a heavyweight but he could fight and his toughness earned him a cult following among boxing fans in the 1970s and '80s (and a small part in Rocky II). He went the distance with the huge-punching Gerry Cooney and an unbeaten John Tate, outscored the dangerous S.T. Gordon and the gigantic Jimmy Abbott, drew with former Olympic star Mircea Simon, was outlasted by Tony Tucker in nine rounds on the Hearns-Duran show in Las Vegas and by the hot and cold Marty Monroe. His greatest effort came against “Neon” Leon Spinks in Vegas in 1980, slugging his way to an entertaining draw with a man who was still highly ranked. A blatant butt from Lopez in the fifth round (after Spinks had accidentally butted him) cost him a point and the 10-round decision.
Fast-living Eddie was never far away from a spell in jail (gang-related) but his record of 25-4-2 (17) tells you he could whack and it was always fun watching this man fight.
Eddie "The Animal" - RIP
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Tuan_Jim
- Heavyweight
Re: Eddie "The Animal" - RIP
Good god, what did he die of? That brawl with Spinks was a classic. Really hard bloke, easy top 10 today.
Re: Eddie "The Animal" - RIP
According to the Ring, his daughter found him dead in his room on Friday. Cause of death is not mentioned.
