Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ July 26, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Promoter ........ Aileen Eaton

Danny Lopez - 25-3-0 {24 KO's} ~ 126 3/4 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 23 years, 0 months}
vs.
Raul Cruz - 43-15-2 {30 KO's} ~ 126 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 3 1/2" ~ {Age; 28 years, 3 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

This bout was being billed as a Featherweight Eliminator.

Both fighters signed contracts on Wednesday ~ July 16th. So both had ample time to
prepare.

Raul Cruz {Mexico City} was a solidly-built 'fire-plug'. Raul was an experienced 10-Year
Professional, who was a hard power-puncher that carried explosive power both in his
left hook-uppercut and right-cross.

The Mexican City Bomber was billed as having records of >
* 48-11-0 {35 KO's} and 43-11-1 {30 KO's}

Raul was coming of an 'upset' 10-Round Decision win over highly-regarded Joe Medrano
3-months earlier {April 10, 1975}.

On his ledger, Raul had scored wins over '4' World Champions >
* July 26, 1969 ............. W Dec 10 .. Rafael Herrera
* October 17, 1969 ....... W Dec 12 .. Jesus 'Chucho' Castillo
* February 23, 1970 ...... KO 7 ......... Alfredo Marcano
* May 16, 1970 ..............KO 4 ......... Lionel Rose

Raul Cruz had been ranked as high as >
1969 ... #3 Bantamweight
1970 ... #4 Featherweight
1971 ... #3 Featherweight

Raul had also captured the Mexican Featherweight Championship on December 11, 1970
and held his country's National Title up through August 29, 1971.

He did challenge for the WBC Featherweight Championship on June 3, 1971 - but was blasted
out {L KO 1} to hard-punching Champion - Kuniaki Shibata.

But, since June 1971 - Raul has been on the downside as he has gone only 4-10-1 in '15-Bouts'.
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~ The Skinny 2 ~

Olympic Promoter - Aileen Eaton has stated that she has offered 'new' WBA Featherweight Champion
Alexis Arguello - $100,000 to fight the winner of the Danny Lopez - Raul Cruz bout.

The proposed date would be set for late-November 1975.

Danny Lopez has been installed as a {3-1} Betting-Favorite over the veteran Raul Cruz.

Danny Lopez >
I'll go for the quick finish. I will come straight at him {Raul Cruz} and go for the early Knockout.
If he survives my early attack and he lasts more than 5 or 6 Rounds, I'll be surprised.

If he stands and trades with me, he will get Knocked out for sure.

Harry Kabakoff {Manager for Raul Cruz} >
Danny Lopez is the perfect opponent for my guy {Raul Cruz}. He walks straight in with that
upright stance. Raul has the best right-hand cross in the Division, and nobody can take that
punch.

I wouldn't be shocked if Raul scores an early Knockout. Lopez has no defense, and can be
hit with anything you throw.

~ Danny Lopez Fights Raul Cruz Tonight ~