Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ January 20, 1972

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Television ....... Channel 13 {KCOP-TV}
Attendance ..... 5877

Co-Main Event ........ Ernie 'Red' Lopez vs. Sal 'The Animal' Martinez

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 8-0-0 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 120 lbs. ~ {Age; 19 years, 6 months}
vs.
Jose Manuel 'Toluco' Orantes - 22-7-4 {4 KO's} ~ 5' 2" ~ 117 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 9 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was Danny Lopez' {1st} Co-Main Event and 10-Rounder.

Jose Manuel Orantes was a tough-kid from Mexico, who was now based out of Stockton.
The 3-Year Professional was a 'stockily-built' good inside-slugger. Though Orantes did not have
a big punch, he was an aggressive slugger who was willing to trade with anybody.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry Kabakoff {Manager for Jose Manuel Orantes}

"My guy is as tough as they come. He's built like a little Tank. He'll walk thru Danny Lopez'
punches, and wear him down."

"Danny has never had to go past 5-Rounds before. He's had too many early Round Knockouts.
Let's see what he's made of in the later Rounds, when he has to dig down and fight it out."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Danny Lopez Scores KO In Impressive Win ~

Danny Lopez showing lethal power, demolished the Jose Manuel Orantes by a Knockout
at {2:01} of Round 2.

Round 1 was action-packed, as both fighters threw out the 'feeling-out-process' and traded
away with heavy blows.

Orantes was able to get inside, and tagged the 'no-defense' Lopez with sharp right-hands to
the mid-section, that had Danny backing away during the middle-session the 1st-Round.

But Lopez kept moving and jabbing, and late in the Round he staggered Orantes with a solid
'counter' right-hand to the forehead. Orantes showed good ring-smarts, as he moved in close
on Danny, and grabbed and held to prevent Danny from landing any follow ups.

In Round 2, Lopez charged forward and kept unleashing with his heavy hands. By the middle
of the session Orantes was looking for a place to hide, as he was taking a one-sided thrashing.

Lopez continued with his attack, and scored with a heavy-bombardment, dropping Orantes
along the back Ropes with a 3-Punch combination to the head.

Referee - Abe Cohen counted out Jose Manuel Orantes @ 2:01 of Round 2.

Danny Lopez >
"Jose came to fight, and he gave me some problems in the 1st Round. I knew that he would
be tough. I'm glad I got him out of there in Round 2, as I was getting arm-weary."