Expug wrote:Many remember Ernie Lopez the older brother of Danny "Lil Red" Lopez.
A real solid fighter in the 60s and early 70s out of L. A.
Ernie came up short in two title shots against Jose Napoles.
He had a very tough life from day one.
Born on a Ute Indian reservation with 7 siblings, his Mom cared for the kids while his Dad drank and was abusive.
The kids were taken away by Social Services andscattered about to different foster homes.
The Mother heartbroken, wound up wandering the streets.
After Ernies boxing career Lopez would work odd construction jobs and he would occasionaly disappear, hitchhiking across the country for no apparent reason.
He would always turn up eventually.
However one day in 1993 that changed.
Ernie asked his sister (who he was living with) to drop him off at the Bus station.
She probably figured he would be gone for a while , like usual.
Noone in his family heard or saw him again for 11 years.
It was not until The California Boxing Hall of Fame decided to enshrine him , that anyone was able to locate him.
That was in 2004.
He was found living in a homeless shelter in Fort Worth Texas.
When someone told him that he had been lost for 11 years , Lopez said "Im not lost, Ive been here all along".
Hes back with his Family in L.A. now.
Hes forgetfull from all the tough fights but it seems like hes doing ok.
Looking back, his Sister said that Ernie never really was able to get over his losses to Napoles.
He had put so much of his identity in being a fighter that he had a helluva time getting back on track.
Sometimes losing like that is very tough to deal with emotionaly I guess.
Although in the end it turned out ok, its still a harrowing experience for the people who cared about Lopez.
Sometimes fight fans dont realize the toll it takes on guys who climb them steps.
Im sure there are many many more stories similar to this.
His story is incredible.
kikibalt wrote:
Ernie "Red' Lopez
dagosd2000 wrote:
Hey Buddy,That was a good post. Hard luck guy. I know his brother was very worried about him. Little Red delt with his losses to Sanchez better than Ernie did with Napoles. I remember Ernie saying before his second fight with Napoles,"I've got him. He's getting old" Well Jose hit him with a right uppercut and knocked Ernie out cold. Lopez was really down after that. He said on the sports news"I don't know. I can't beat this guy" Napoles made Cokes say the same thing. Ernie went downhill after that and disappeared. It's great to have him back. His family will take care of him. He thrilled us in the Southland with his fights with Hedgemon Lewis.
Here's a good one. There's a segment on Real Sports about the lives of Bobby Chacon and Little Red after their careers were over. Well Bobby is struggling. Broke,fighter's dementia,losing his wife to suicide. He really lived in the fast lane. Was in Jail. Drugs. Little Red retired after losing to Sanchez. But these two boys were the toast of LA. They fought each other ,and Bobby really pounded Little Red. Little Red works a little construction,has a nice family,grand kids. A real gentleman. He's happy. Does some sports shows,shows up for the fights once in a while.
What do you think this idiot Larry Merchant asks him? "Little Red. After looking at Bobby Chacon now. Who do you think really won?" I don't know if Danny was playing dumb,but he looks Merchant right in the eye and says"What are you talking about. Chacon kicked my ass"
Bobby and Danny reunited in LA at a sports event. When Bobby saw
Danny, he ran over to him ,hugged him like a little kid and said"Hey you can't forget me."
Don't worry guys. We'll never forget either one of you.
dagosd2000 wrote: Hey Kikibalt,I do some painting,art work. I need to get inspired to paint. That picture of Indian Red inspired me to do a portrait of him. Great shot. He looks happy and tough as ever. That makes me happy DAGOS
Expug wrote:Thanks Dagos.
I had a feeling you might have known the Lopez bros.
I saw part of the segment on Chacon and Danny.
Very poignant.
Danny Lopez was one of my favorites back in the 70s.
He and Carlos Palomino were two guys I admired back then.
Still do.
Tough in the ring , but they also carried themselves with class.
Im not surprised that Merchant asked Danny that question.
Merchant is one commentator I really cant stand listening to.
As has been discussed before, I dont know where the hell some of these ringside experts come from . I really dont.
Art Frias, Bobby Chacon and Tony "The Tiger" Baltazar
Sept. 2007
