BoxRec

kikibalt wrote:Danny “Little Red” Lopez: The IBHOF’s Forgotten Man

By Pete “The Heat” Parry

“I only knew how to fight one way… I’d just keep punching until I knocked my opponent out.”--Danny “Little Red” Lopez

Induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, is the “championship belt” every fighter seeks. It is representative of having left one’s mark on the sport; being recognized as one of the greats in the annals of boxing. There a plaque is placed and the fighter can stand tall and proud knowing his name is enshrined alongside that of Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep, and Sugar Ray Robinson, the legends of the sport.

More contemporary names that now appear in that hallowed hall are those of Bobby Chacon, Ruben Olivares, Eusebio Pedroza, and Salvador Sanchez. But missing from among those names, among those legends of the sport, is Danny “Little Red” Lopez. In reviewing the life, career, and accomplishments of Lopez the question arises as to why this immensely popular and legendary former Featherweight Champion has yet to be asked to take his place among boxing’s elite.

Of Irish, Mexican, and Native American ancestry, Danny Lopez grew up on a Ute Indian Reservation in Fort Duquesne, Utah, one of seven brothers and sisters. After a troubled childhood, he took an interest in boxing and followed in the footsteps of older brother, welterweight Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez, and turned pro at age 18. Danny began his professional boxing career on May 27, 1971, with a first round knockout of Steve Flajole. Lopez would reel off 21 straight wins by knockout, still recognized as one of the longest in boxing history, and go 23-0 overall before suffering his first defeat. During that time, Lopez would become a staple at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, regularly selling out the old fight club’s 10,000 seats. For three years Danny established himself as a warrior. In nearly every fight he would wade in, fists flying, get knocked down only to rise and knock out his opponent. Lopez hadn’t yet learned defense and it would show in his first defeat.

Danny’s first loss would come on May 24, 1974 at age 21 at the hands of Bobby Chacon. After 8 rounds of what was described as a war, Chacon, who would go on to become a legendary Featherweight and Super Featherweight Champion, stopped Lopez 48 seconds into the ninth stanza. A little more than 2 years later, and with knockout victories under his belt over former or future world champions Chucho Castillo (TKO 2), Ruben Olivares (KO 7), and Sean O’Grady (TKO 4), Lopez became a world champion. Traveling to Accra, Ghana, Little Red faced WBC Featherweight Champion David Kotey on November 6, 1976. In front of more than 100,000 African fans cheering for their native champion Lopez captured the title with a unanimous decision over 15 rounds in 100 degree heat. Unfortunately he did so in near obscurity. With no television or radio
broadcasts of the fight, and Lopez’ 72 year old manager Howie Steindler having been forbidden by his doctor to make the trip, it was not until Danny returned to the United States two days later that many would learn their man had won the world title. It wouldn’t take long before the world knew the newly crowned champion.

After taking some time off to celebrate his victory, Danny fought 2 non-title fights less than one month apart; a knockout in 2 rounds over Jose Olivares on July 29, 1977 and a KO in 6 over Jorge Altamirano on August 28. Lopez’ first title defense came just 16 days later on September 13, 1977. In a nationally televised bout Lopez came off the canvas to brutally stop Jose Torres in the 7th round. Next, Little Red would meet David Kotey in a rematch on February 15, 1978 on the undercard of Ali-Spinks I and this time Lopez stopped Kotey in 6 rounds. With his first two defenses having been nationally televised Danny’s popularity, already well established among California fans where Lopez had fought almost exclusively before becoming champion, grew exponentially.

After a TKO win in 6 rounds over Jose Francisco De Paula in April, 1978, Danny fought Juan Malvarez on September 15 on the undercard of Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks II. Again defending on a televised fight card Danny was floored in the opening round. Dusting himself off coolly after the knockdown, Lopez doggedly pursued his challenger as Malvarez landed lead rights and left hooks. A stunned crowd looked on as the round ended, becoming convinced this might be the end of the road for the title reign of their hero Little Red. With just 44 seconds gone in the second round Lopez countered over an attempted lead right uppercut by Malvarez with an explosive right hand of his own. The punch separated Malvarez from his senses and he crumpled to the floor. After the referee completed his 10 count the challenger remained on the floor for a full two minutes. Lopez had retained his title in stirring come-from-behind fashion. This was of course not the first time Lopez had been down in his career and he was gaining notoriety as the kind of fighter who might get knocked down but would come back to knock out his opponents, sometimes, as with Malvarez, in the very next round.

On June 17, 1979, in what would later be named by Ring Magazine as 1979’s Fight of the Year, Lopez faced top contender Mike “Little Cyclone” Ayala. In a battle Sports Illustrated would tag “a mini Ali-Frazier” Lopez broke Ayala’s nose early in the fight, floored the challenger in the seventh and eleventh rounds, and stopped Ayala in the 15th and final round. Lopez had proven his mettle as a champion this night and cemented his legacy in this, his seventh title defense. Walking through punishment to deliver some his own brand of mayhem upon the body of an opponent Lopez had succeeded in bringing attention to the Featherweight division and garnering a level of popularity that perhaps no Featherweight Champion in history had enjoyed.

After one more successful title defense, a 3rd round TKO over Jose Caba on September 25, 1979, Lopez defended his WBC title on February 2, 1980 against young up-and-coming featherweight Salvador Sanchez. The legend that would become Salvador Sanchez was born that night in Phoenix, Arizona as Sanchez stopped the popular Champion in the 13th round to claim the title. The two would fight again a little more than four months later on June 21, and Lopez would last one round longer, succumbing to the young phenom in the 14th round. After the fight Lopez would hand Sanchez the Indian headdress he wore into the ring, a symbolic gesture of the passing of the torch, and a display of the kind of champion Danny Lopez had been.

Little Red retired after the rematch with Sanchez. Nearly 12 years later, after witnessing the success of George Foreman’s comeback, Danny made an ill-advised comeback attempt of his own on February 27, 1992, losing by knockout to Jorge Rodriguez in 3 rounds. Danny hung up the gloves for good following the loss.

Lopez’ final career mark was 42-6, 39 KO’s, an incredible 81.25 knockout percentage. Looking inside the numbers is the best argument for why Danny Lopez belongs in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Lopez made eight successful defenses of the WBC Featherweight Championship, holding the title from November 1976 until February, 1980. Little Red fought six former, current, or future champions during his career. Two of his six losses were to the legendary Sanchez, one to another legend Bobby Chacon, both Hall of Fame inductees. Still another, a 10 round points loss to Octavio Gomez in 1975, was later avenged with a knockout of Gomez in three rounds a year later. He is currently a member of the World Boxing Hall Of Fame, was inducted in 2005 to the California Boxing Hall Of Fame, and was inducted in 2008 to the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum along with such luminaries as Lennox Lewis, Ken Norton, and Diego Corrales.

With a career filled with excitement, a record as respectable as any current members, and with all the various Halls Of Fame that have already inducted Danny “Little Red” Lopez, the question still remains: When will Lopez be included on the ballot for the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York? When will his plaque be hung on those hallowed halls among his fellow legends? In a sport plagued with legitimacy issues over everything from loaded hand wraps to steroid use, the enshrinement of a man who reached the pinnacle of his profession through hard work, dedication, and determination would go a long way in restoring a measure of respectability and legitimacy. Danny Lopez has appeared several times at the IBHOF through the years, giving freely of himself and spending countless hours greeting and signing autographs for the many thousands of boxing fans in attendance. Always the bridesmaid, and never the bride, still Danny comes. It is the measure of the man and the champion.

I am one of the many thousands of boxing fans who had both the pleasure and the honor of watching Little Red fight and defend his title those many years ago. I am also among those who have had the distinct honor of meeting him at the Hall of Fame. He is a warm and genuine human being, one who deserves to be on the podium giving his acceptance speech instead of in the gymnasium of a high school working like a greeter at a Wal-Mart.

Danny “Little Red” Lopez will turn 57 years old this year. It is this writer’s opinion as a fan and supporter of the International Boxing Hall of Fame that Danny should not turn 58 before he gets that call that says “Danny, you have been inducted.” He earned it, he deserves it…..it is past due!

Expug wrote:I found this on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjkVtkBf8LI

Im at the 26 second mark right behind Patrick Kane.
Im doing security at The Chicago Autoshow for two Chicago Blackhawk players who were signing autographs.Patrick Kane and John Toews.These guys are outstanding kids. Really great .They are stars allready and wherever they go they are like rock stars.
Neither of them has let it get to their heads though. They are both real humble.
Both come from great families also.

Expug wrote:Randys son is a great guy.Just like his Dad.

kikibalt wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

I've said it before, I will write it now.......you do a terrific job of putting us all there when you go through your paces, step by step, to inform us of the complexities of your life's work. You should gather all of that information, add a title and a few line drawings or actual photographs and have it all come to fruition as an enlightening, highly interesting odyssey. You've got the talent, the experience, and the courage to tell it like it is.

sincerely

hap

Hap,

You're so right about Rick, you know, it never cease to amaze me about his keen memory and talent for minutiae.

Dongee wrote: Memories, Rick, Rog, Kiki, Randy, you all.....You would have enjoyed being at the old Blue Palm on a Legion fight night. There's Jackie McCoy talking up one of his fighters; the LA Times John Hall, never at the bar, always at a booth or table;; fight managers dancing with their wives but only when the media guys would stop listening to their sales pitch. And behind the plank, serving up the drinks two distringuished barkeeps, ex-champ Ceferino Garcia and ex-Dead End Kid Bobby Jordan. If you wanted to drink with me, you did it at the Blue Palm, my office away from my office across the way

hap navarro

Randyman wrote: Hap, your heart was shining through when you wrote that. There is a saying called "Sweet Melancholy" when the memories produce both happiness and some sadness as well. I know the feeling well. I couldn't be there with you back then Hap, to share a drink but tonight when I get home from work, I'm going to crack open a cold one and raise a toast to you and the boys from "Classic American West Coast Boxing" and to "Sweet Melancholic Memories" of days gone by. Good days.

Randy

Expug wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

I've said it before, I will write it now.......you do a terrific job of putting us all there when you go through your paces, step by step, to inform us of the complexities of your life's work. You should gather all of that information, add a title and a few line drawings or actual photographs and have it all come to fruition as an enlightening, highly interesting odyssey. You've got the talent, the experience, and the courage to tell it like it is.

sincerely

hap

Hap,

You're so right about Rick, you know, it never cease to amaze me about his keen memory and talent for minutiae.

Im amazed at Ricks talents also.
Im amazed at the talents in writing of all the guys here. And of course Rogs' beautiful paintings.

Randyman wrote:Rog, the painting just arrived about thirty minutes ago. Wow, thanks a million. Jeri and the girls loved it. You are amazing. I will treasure this Rog. Thank you for your generosity.

With all sincerity
Thank you
Randy

dagosd2000 wrote:

Randyman wrote:Rog, the painting just arrived about thirty minutes ago. Wow, thanks a million. Jeri and the girls loved it. You are amazing. I will treasure this Rog. Thank you for your generosity.

With all sincerity
Thank you
Randy

Randy
I'm happy that your family is happy. It's all that matters.Rog

dagosd2000 wrote:

My Dad

(oil on tile)

Randyman wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:

My Dad

(oil on tile)

He sure looks the part. What a history. Thanks for posting it.

Randy

Expug wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

I've said it before, I will write it now.......you do a terrific job of putting us all there when you go through your paces, step by step, to inform us of the complexities of your life's work. You should gather all of that information, add a title and a few line drawings or actual photographs and have it all come to fruition as an enlightening, highly interesting odyssey. You've got the talent, the experience, and the courage to tell it like it is.

sincerely

hap

Hap,

You're so right about Rick, you know, it never cease to amaze me about his keen memory and talent for minutiae.

Im amazed at Ricks talents also.
Im amazed at the talents in writing of all the guys here. And of course Rogs' beautiful paintings.

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Danny “Little Red” Lopez: The IBHOF’s Forgotten Man

By Pete “The Heat” Parry

“I only knew how to fight one way… I’d just keep punching until I knocked my opponent out.”--Danny “Little Red” Lopez

Induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, is the “championship belt” every fighter seeks. It is representative of having left one’s mark on the sport; being recognized as one of the greats in the annals of boxing. There a plaque is placed and the fighter can stand tall and proud knowing his name is enshrined alongside that of Henry Armstrong, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep, and Sugar Ray Robinson, the legends of the sport.

More contemporary names that now appear in that hallowed hall are those of Bobby Chacon, Ruben Olivares, Eusebio Pedroza, and Salvador Sanchez. But missing from among those names, among those legends of the sport, is Danny “Little Red” Lopez. In reviewing the life, career, and accomplishments of Lopez the question arises as to why this immensely popular and legendary former Featherweight Champion has yet to be asked to take his place among boxing’s elite.

Of Irish, Mexican, and Native American ancestry, Danny Lopez grew up on a Ute Indian Reservation in Fort Duquesne, Utah, one of seven brothers and sisters. After a troubled childhood, he took an interest in boxing and followed in the footsteps of older brother, welterweight Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez, and turned pro at age 18. Danny began his professional boxing career on May 27, 1971, with a first round knockout of Steve Flajole. Lopez would reel off 21 straight wins by knockout, still recognized as one of the longest in boxing history, and go 23-0 overall before suffering his first defeat. During that time, Lopez would become a staple at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, regularly selling out the old fight club’s 10,000 seats. For three years Danny established himself as a warrior. In nearly every fight he would wade in, fists flying, get knocked down only to rise and knock out his opponent. Lopez hadn’t yet learned defense and it would show in his first defeat.

Danny’s first loss would come on May 24, 1974 at age 21 at the hands of Bobby Chacon. After 8 rounds of what was described as a war, Chacon, who would go on to become a legendary Featherweight and Super Featherweight Champion, stopped Lopez 48 seconds into the ninth stanza. A little more than 2 years later, and with knockout victories under his belt over former or future world champions Chucho Castillo (TKO 2), Ruben Olivares (KO 7), and Sean O’Grady (TKO 4), Lopez became a world champion. Traveling to Accra, Ghana, Little Red faced WBC Featherweight Champion David Kotey on November 6, 1976. In front of more than 100,000 African fans cheering for their native champion Lopez captured the title with a unanimous decision over 15 rounds in 100 degree heat. Unfortunately he did so in near obscurity. With no television or radio
broadcasts of the fight, and Lopez’ 72 year old manager Howie Steindler having been forbidden by his doctor to make the trip, it was not until Danny returned to the United States two days later that many would learn their man had won the world title. It wouldn’t take long before the world knew the newly crowned champion.

After taking some time off to celebrate his victory, Danny fought 2 non-title fights less than one month apart; a knockout in 2 rounds over Jose Olivares on July 29, 1977 and a KO in 6 over Jorge Altamirano on August 28. Lopez’ first title defense came just 16 days later on September 13, 1977. In a nationally televised bout Lopez came off the canvas to brutally stop Jose Torres in the 7th round. Next, Little Red would meet David Kotey in a rematch on February 15, 1978 on the undercard of Ali-Spinks I and this time Lopez stopped Kotey in 6 rounds. With his first two defenses having been nationally televised Danny’s popularity, already well established among California fans where Lopez had fought almost exclusively before becoming champion, grew exponentially.

After a TKO win in 6 rounds over Jose Francisco De Paula in April, 1978, Danny fought Juan Malvarez on September 15 on the undercard of Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks II. Again defending on a televised fight card Danny was floored in the opening round. Dusting himself off coolly after the knockdown, Lopez doggedly pursued his challenger as Malvarez landed lead rights and left hooks. A stunned crowd looked on as the round ended, becoming convinced this might be the end of the road for the title reign of their hero Little Red. With just 44 seconds gone in the second round Lopez countered over an attempted lead right uppercut by Malvarez with an explosive right hand of his own. The punch separated Malvarez from his senses and he crumpled to the floor. After the referee completed his 10 count the challenger remained on the floor for a full two minutes. Lopez had retained his title in stirring come-from-behind fashion. This was of course not the first time Lopez had been down in his career and he was gaining notoriety as the kind of fighter who might get knocked down but would come back to knock out his opponents, sometimes, as with Malvarez, in the very next round.

On June 17, 1979, in what would later be named by Ring Magazine as 1979’s Fight of the Year, Lopez faced top contender Mike “Little Cyclone” Ayala. In a battle Sports Illustrated would tag “a mini Ali-Frazier” Lopez broke Ayala’s nose early in the fight, floored the challenger in the seventh and eleventh rounds, and stopped Ayala in the 15th and final round. Lopez had proven his mettle as a champion this night and cemented his legacy in this, his seventh title defense. Walking through punishment to deliver some his own brand of mayhem upon the body of an opponent Lopez had succeeded in bringing attention to the Featherweight division and garnering a level of popularity that perhaps no Featherweight Champion in history had enjoyed.

After one more successful title defense, a 3rd round TKO over Jose Caba on September 25, 1979, Lopez defended his WBC title on February 2, 1980 against young up-and-coming featherweight Salvador Sanchez. The legend that would become Salvador Sanchez was born that night in Phoenix, Arizona as Sanchez stopped the popular Champion in the 13th round to claim the title. The two would fight again a little more than four months later on June 21, and Lopez would last one round longer, succumbing to the young phenom in the 14th round. After the fight Lopez would hand Sanchez the Indian headdress he wore into the ring, a symbolic gesture of the passing of the torch, and a display of the kind of champion Danny Lopez had been.

Little Red retired after the rematch with Sanchez. Nearly 12 years later, after witnessing the success of George Foreman’s comeback, Danny made an ill-advised comeback attempt of his own on February 27, 1992, losing by knockout to Jorge Rodriguez in 3 rounds. Danny hung up the gloves for good following the loss.

Lopez’ final career mark was 42-6, 39 KO’s, an incredible 81.25 knockout percentage. Looking inside the numbers is the best argument for why Danny Lopez belongs in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Lopez made eight successful defenses of the WBC Featherweight Championship, holding the title from November 1976 until February, 1980. Little Red fought six former, current, or future champions during his career. Two of his six losses were to the legendary Sanchez, one to another legend Bobby Chacon, both Hall of Fame inductees. Still another, a 10 round points loss to Octavio Gomez in 1975, was later avenged with a knockout of Gomez in three rounds a year later. He is currently a member of the World Boxing Hall Of Fame, was inducted in 2005 to the California Boxing Hall Of Fame, and was inducted in 2008 to the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum along with such luminaries as Lennox Lewis, Ken Norton, and Diego Corrales.

With a career filled with excitement, a record as respectable as any current members, and with all the various Halls Of Fame that have already inducted Danny “Little Red” Lopez, the question still remains: When will Lopez be included on the ballot for the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York? When will his plaque be hung on those hallowed halls among his fellow legends? In a sport plagued with legitimacy issues over everything from loaded hand wraps to steroid use, the enshrinement of a man who reached the pinnacle of his profession through hard work, dedication, and determination would go a long way in restoring a measure of respectability and legitimacy. Danny Lopez has appeared several times at the IBHOF through the years, giving freely of himself and spending countless hours greeting and signing autographs for the many thousands of boxing fans in attendance. Always the bridesmaid, and never the bride, still Danny comes. It is the measure of the man and the champion.

I am one of the many thousands of boxing fans who had both the pleasure and the honor of watching Little Red fight and defend his title those many years ago. I am also among those who have had the distinct honor of meeting him at the Hall of Fame. He is a warm and genuine human being, one who deserves to be on the podium giving his acceptance speech instead of in the gymnasium of a high school working like a greeter at a Wal-Mart.

Danny “Little Red” Lopez will turn 57 years old this year. It is this writer’s opinion as a fan and supporter of the International Boxing Hall of Fame that Danny should not turn 58 before he gets that call that says “Danny, you have been inducted.” He earned it, he deserves it…..it is past due!

A travesty. Hopefully they will correct this in the near future. I can't think of a more exciting fighter than Danny Lopez. Hell, no wonder he was a terror, Irish, Mexican and Native American, what a combination. He deserves a spot in Canastota. As Mel Epstein would say "He's a deserving guy." I posted these photos some time last year but they're worth reposting.


Danny at the Main Street Gym Circa 1975


Danny Lopez vs Raul Cruz, The Olympic Stadium, Los Angeles - July 26, 1975

Randyman wrote:
The above photo was taken in February of 2007 when Andrew (in the white tee shirt) returned from Iraq.

I wrote the following a couple of years ago. This is his "Record".

Much of Andrew's time in the Coast Guard was served aboard the USCGC Mellon, a 378-foot High Endurance Cutter, stationed in Seattle, Washington. Last year (2006) when Andrew heard that the USCGC Midgett, a similar ship, was being assigned to Iraq and the Persian Gulf he requested a transfer and volunteered to go with the Midgett during it's Middle East tour of duty. Andrew was involved in several large drug busts involving heroin and cocaine. The rescue of Ecuadorean immigrants, whose ship was sinking, and several military training missions overseas. He was personally responsible for saving three lives.

Some of the other places Andrew has been to are; both the North and South Pacific, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, Straits of Gibraltar, the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Straits of Homuez, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Panama Canal. On his tour last year he literally circled the globe.

The countries include:; (the numbers in parenthesis are the number of times visited)
Alaska- 12 Dutch Harbor 7, Kodiak 5
Japan- 3 times, Tokyo, Okinawa and Sasebo
Singapore- 2 times
Thailand- 1
Brunei- 1
Malaysia- 2
Philippines- 1
Guam- 1
Hawaii- 2
Ecuador- 8
Panama- 2, including the canal crossing
Guatemala- 1
Costa Rica- 2
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico- 1
Kamchatka, Russia- 1
Goa, India- 1
Seychelles Islands- 1
United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)- 2
Djibouti (formerly French Somalia)- 1
Salalah, Oman- 1
Jordan- 1
Crete, Greece- 1
Italy- 1 Gaeta, Rome
Rota, Spain- 1
Aruba- 1

Needless to say, but I will anyways, Jeri and I are proud of our son. We are proud that our son felt a need to serve his country. When I look at my son, his friend Julian Duran, and all the men and women that serve in every branch of the service all across the world, I know that all the criticism about the younger generation not pulling their weight or not being responsible, or having no love or respect for their country is completely false. They have proven themselves.

JohnShep wrote:by email ....

Good Afternoon!
I would like to know if you have, or have any suggestions of how to obtain, any autobiographical information on boxer Felix Ramirez of San Jose,Ca. who fought from 1947 to 1951. He was my older brother but after he stopped fighting my family lost touch and we're trying to fill ourselves in on some background info. I found his record but that is all. If you can help in any way or point us in the right direction we (my family and I) would appreciate it very much.
Thank you for any help you can provide, and have a great day!
Sincerely, Raymond Ramirez

kikibalt wrote:

JohnShep wrote:by email ....

Good Afternoon!
I would like to know if you have, or have any suggestions of how to obtain, any autobiographical information on boxer Felix Ramirez of San Jose,Ca. who fought from 1947 to 1951. He was my older brother but after he stopped fighting my family lost touch and we're trying to fill ourselves in on some background info. I found his record but that is all. If you can help in any way or point us in the right direction we (my family and I) would appreciate it very much.
Thank you for any help you can provide, and have a great day!
Sincerely, Raymond Ramirez

kikibalt wrote:

JohnShep wrote:by email ....

Good Afternoon!
I would like to know if you have, or have any suggestions of how to obtain, any autobiographical information on boxer Felix Ramirez of San Jose,Ca. who fought from 1947 to 1951. He was my older brother but after he stopped fighting my family lost touch and we're trying to fill ourselves in on some background info. I found his record but that is all. If you can help in any way or point us in the right direction we (my family and I) would appreciate it very much.
Thank you for any help you can provide, and have a great day!
Sincerely, Raymond Ramirez