Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
Being Puerto Rican, the rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters has always been intense within me. Naturally, I root for the hometown fighter whenever there's a matchup. I've also disliked some all-time Mexican greats, such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Eric Morales, Fernando Vargas, and De La Hoya (if you count Mexican heritage on a U.S.-based fighter).

But two Mexican fighters that rank among my favorites are Marco Antonio Barrera and Ricardo "Finito" Lopez. In Barrera's case, I liked his humble nature and no-nonsense fighting style even BEFORE he embarassed Naseem Hamed. After that, he became a hero of mine.

With "Finito", even though he took out a popular P.R. champ in Alex "Nene" Sanchez, I've always admired the consumate skill of this fighter. A feared puncher, a perfect boxing stylist... this guy had it all. And such an unassuming character. He had all the right to brag, and never did. He just took on and beat all comers. Classic fighter, and one of my all-time favorites.
Class post Tito sometimes as fans it's hard to give fighters their dues when they are beating your countrymen.

But in the case of "Finito" you just can't help it but be in aww! of his skills.

You rarely saw him against the ropes and as I stated his ring generalship was outstanding. The precise punching he used like his trademark uppercuts were things of beauty. The brillaint hooks where he would rotate his whole upper body and what do you say about the straight right hand? Shit was fast and with some top caliber power.