Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez

Saturday ~ October 30, 1976 ... Accra, Ghana

~ Press Conference ~

WBC Champion ............ David Kotey {Ghana}
vs.
#1 WBC Challenger ....... Danny Lopez {USA}

At the 'press conference' in front of 200 Press Corps. and African Sports Directors.

Included were representatives from :
* Spain
* Italy
* Great Britain
* Japan
* Mexico

During the Press Conference, Danny Lopez was asked if he thought that he could win.

Danny replied >
"I haven't changed my mind. I think that I can knock him out. And I will."

Challenger - Danny Lopez who had brought a 'Native Indian Head Dress' with him, offered
it as a gift to Champion - David Kotey.

David Kotey, when handed the 'Head Dress' took it and slammed it the floor and stomped
on it, to the amazement of Danny Lopez and his small entourage.

The Champion then went into a 'tirade', and stated that he was going to knockout the
American within 4 Rounds, and splatter him all across the canvas floor.

David Kotey >
"You can't beat me. You are afraid of me. I will Knock you out. I am going to kill you in the Ring.
You will never see your family again, so you better say your Good-Bye's this week."

Francis Clottley {Trainer for David Kotey} >
"He {Danny Lopez} is trying take something that we have worked long and hard for. We
will never let a foreigner come into our Country {Ghana} and take what is ours."

Lt. Col. Simpe-Asante {Director of Boxing for Ghana} >
"This all part of the sport. A confident Champion taking 'verbal action' against the worthy
and visiting Challenger. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt, and we will make sure of
that."

"Mr. Harry Gibbs will be the Referee in the Ring next Saturday. He is the most competent
Referee in the Sport of Boxing. So I am not worried about safety here."

Col. Kutu Acheampong {Director of Sports of Ghana} >
"We have 'sold out' the Sports Stadium, and are bringing additional seating for the Soccer Stadium's
infield. We have sold 60,000 Tickets so far, and we have another 20,000 seating requests."

"Requests are still coming in, and we will most likely go well over 100,000 in attendance by
Fight Night."

Teddy Bentham {Trainer for Danny Lopez} >
"What amazes me, is that they {David Kotey Camp} are so confident, yet they made us sign a
'guaranteed'' Rematch Clause. That tells me that they are very worried, and want some assurance
of a return bout with a 'big' pay day."