Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 27, 1973

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Attendance .......... 7533

Danny Lopez - 20-0-0 {20 KO's} ~ 123 3/4 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 2 months}
vs.
Goyo Vargas - 23-6-0 {15 KO's} ~ 124 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 3" ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez is still ranked as the #5 WBA and #5 WBA Bantamweight.

Goyo Vargas is a 'stockily-built' fighter from Mexico. Vargas who is ranked as Mexico's #3 Featherweight,
has a reputation as an aggressive offensive-slugger who swarms and mauls his opponents with a fierce
body-attack.

The 6-Year Professional has won '7' of his previous 8-bouts.

'Little Red' is posted as a {2-1} Betting-Favorite.

Howie Steindler {Manager} >
"We have been promised the winner of the WBC Featherweight Championship bout between
Champion - Eder Jofre and Challenger - Vicente Saldivar, who fight on October 11, 1973."

"I would like to have that bout this year, but realistically it would probably have to be for early-1974."

~ 'Little Red' Scores 1st-Round KO ~

Danny Lopez utilizing a 4" height advantage, used his long arms to keep Mexican - Goyo Vargas at bay, before
delivering a Knockout blow at the end of the 1st-Round.

'Little Red' came out using long left-jabs to measure his under-sized opponent, forcing Vargas to stay outside
on the perimeter. Lopez who was bigger and stronger than Vargas, used pressure to force the Mexican to
back away.

The 'stockily-built' Mexican was unable to get inside and close, to use his body-attack, as he was wary of
Lopez' lethal power.

Late in the Round, Lopez stepped in quickly, and delivered a 'flurry' which sent Vargas back on his
heels. Vargas then quickly back-pedaled to the back right-corner.

Lopez then moved in, and fired in a 'jolting' left-right to the head that stunned Vargas. With a 'stunned'
opponent in front of him, Lopez delivered a 'crushing' left-hook to the jaw flooring Vargas, dropping him
on his back.

Referee - Larry Rozadilla counted out Goyo Vargas at {2:59} of Round 1.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 1974 Featherweight Ratings

Danny Lopez - 21-0-0 {21 KO's} ~ {Age; 21 years, 6 months}


Ring Magazine ......................... WBA .......................... WBC ...........

*** 'vacant' .............................. Ernesto Marcel ............... Eder Jofre
#1 . Eder Jofre ......................... Eder Jofre ...................... Ernesto Marcel
#2 . Ernesto Marcel .................. Art Hafey ....................... Alfredo Marcano
#3 . Art Hafey ......................... Zensuke Utagawa ........... Art Hafey
#4 . Danny Lopez ................. Bobby Chacon ................. Leonel Hernandez
#5 . Leonel Hernandez ............. Ruben Olivares ............... Danny Lopez
#6 . Ruben Olivares ................. Bert Nabalatan ............... Alexis Arguello
#7 . Bobby Chacon .................. Alexis Arguello ................ Zensuke Utagawa
#8 . Jose Legra ....................... Danny Lopez................... Bobby Chacon
#9 . Santos Luis Rivera ............ Leonel Hernandez ........... Jose Antonio Jiminez
#10. Jose Antonio Jiminez ........ Jose Antonio Jiminez ....... Valentin Galeano

[Bill Paxtom]

End of 1973

Manager - Howie Steindler

Wanted Danny Lopez to rest at the end of 1973, in fear of having his fighter burn himself out.

Following the bout on September 27, 1973 > the plan was to take the rest of the year off,
and come back in early 1974,

On January 8, 1974 >
Danny signed to face Japan's #1 Bantamweight - Genzo Kurosawa in an over-the-weight
bout, set at 125 lbs. > and for January 17th at the Olympic Auditorium.

Again, Danny would be facing an over-blown Bantamweight.

The West-Coast Boxing Pundits were beginning to ask, when was Howie Steindler going to
put his fighter in the Ring with a legitimate Featherweight.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ January 17, 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

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

Danny Lopez - 21-0-0 {21 KOs} ~ 124 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 6 months}
vs.
Genzo Kurosawa - 30-7-8 {10 KO's} ~ 125 lbs. ~ 5' 6" ~ {Age; 26 years, 5 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Little Red' Lopez is back in the Ring after a 3 1/2 month lay-off.

At the Morning Weigh-in, Danny came in +2 lbs., over the 125 lb. contract weight. Danny
had to do some Rope-Skipping and a Steam-Room session to make weight.

Genzo Kurosawa is ranked as the #1 Bantamweight in Japan, and is a former Japanese
Bantamweight Champion.
* November 11, 1972 -thru- February 26, 1973.

Kurosawa is moving up in weight for this bout. He said he is invading Los Angeles, and will
'upset' the undefeated Danny Lopez.

Kurosawa is an experienced 8-Year Professional, who is a tough-and-gritty boxer/counter-puncher,
who has only been stopped 'twice' in '45-Bouts'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ January 17, 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

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

Danny Lopez - 21-0-0 {21 KOs} ~ 124 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 6 months}
vs.
Genzo Kurosawa - 30-7-8 {10 KO's} ~ 125 lbs. ~ 5' 6" ~ {Age; 26 years, 5 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Little Red' Lopez is back in the Ring after a 3 1/2 month lay-off.

At the Morning Weigh-in, Danny came in +2 lbs., over the 125 lb. contract weight. Danny
had to do some Rope-Skipping and a Steam-Room session to make weight.

Genzo Kurosawa is ranked as the #1 Bantamweight in Japan, and is a former Japanese
Bantamweight Champion.
* November 11, 1972 -thru- February 26, 1973.

Kurosawa is moving up in weight for this bout. He said he is invading Los Angeles, and will
'upset' the undefeated Danny Lopez.

Kurosawa is an experienced 8-Year Professional, who is a tough-and-gritty boxer/counter-puncher,
who has only been stopped 'twice' in '45-Bouts'.

~ Lopez Wins, But Fails To Get KO ~

A 'rusty' Danny 'Little Red' Lopez was forced to go the 'full-distance' for the first time in '22-Bouts' as he scored
a 10-Round Decision win over stubborn Genzo Kurusawa of Japan.

Lopez, who had to sweat off 2 lbs. to make the fight contract weight was 'sluggish' throughout the bout. Though
he won nearly every Round, Lopez was unable to deliver any of his heavy-fists on an elusive opponent.

Lopez did score with left-jabs and an occasional straight right, but he lacked his normal power or speed tonight.
Kurosawa was never in any trouble, and did have some good moments in Rounds 4 and 7, when he tagged Lopez
coming in with good left-hooks to the head and body.

The best action of the bout was in in Round 8, when a few of Kurusawa's right-hands found there mark on Lopez'
jaw. Both fighters then into a good exchange during the end of the Round, but that was the only heated action
in the bout.

Lopez went all-out early in Round 9 to try and put Kurosawa away, but he faded by the {1:00 Mark} point in the
session, and pulled off his attack. Lopez had little left after that rally.

Scorecards
* 10-0
* 8-2
* 8-1

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday Night ~ February 3, 1974

Mexicali de Gimnasio ~ Mexicali, Baja California

Promoter ........... Jesus Pimentel
Attendance ......... 6360
Gate Receipts ..... $28,800
Ticket Prices ...... $5.00 Ringside ~ $2.50 Balcony

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 22-0-0 {21 KO's} ~ 125 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 7 months}
vs.
Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez - 33-6-1 {25 KO's} ~ 123 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 5" ~ {Age; 24 years, 9 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Danny Lopez is back in the Ring only 17-Days after going 10-Rounds with Genzo Kurusawa back on January 17th.

Jesus Pimentel is the Boxing Promoter here, and he has posted a $10,000 Fight Purse for the 'Box-Office Magnet' >
Danny 'Little Red' Lopez.

Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez is ranked as the #4 Featherweight in Mexico. 'Memo' is a tough-slugger that they call
'El Enrachado Jabocho'.

'Memo' is coming in 'red hot', by going 8-1-0 with {7 KO's} in his last '9-Bouts' over the past 1-Year.

Jesus Pimentel {Promoter} >
"This is going to be an exciting bout. Danny better be ready, because this guy {'Memo' Rodriguez} is tough. He likes
to slug, and keeps on coming. He can take a good punch, and he has a great left-hook."

Andres Herrera {Manager for 'Memo' Rodriguez} >
"We have the style to beat 'Little Red' Lopez. Lots of pressure, with a non-stop body attack. 'Memo' will take the
height and reach advantage away from Lopez, and pound his body."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday Night ~ February 3, 1974

Mexicali de Gimnasio ~ Mexicali, Baja California

Promoter ........... Jesus Pimentel
Attendance ......... 6360
Gate Receipts ..... $28,800
Ticket Prices ...... $5.00 Ringside ~ $2.50 Balcony

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 22-0-0 {21 KO's} ~ 125 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 7 months}
vs.
Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez - 33-6-1 {25 KO's} ~ 123 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 5" ~ {Age; 24 years, 9 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Danny Lopez is back in the Ring only 17-Days after going 10-Rounds with Genzo Kurusawa back on January 17th.

Jesus Pimentel is the Boxing Promoter here, and he has posted a $10,000 Fight Purse for the 'Box-Office Magnet' >
Danny 'Little Red' Lopez.

Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez is ranked as the #4 Featherweight in Mexico. 'Memo' is a tough-slugger that they call
'El Enrachado Jabocho'.

'Memo' is coming in 'red hot', by going 8-1-0 with {7 KO's} in his last '9-Bouts' over the past 1-Year.

Jesus Pimentel {Promoter} >
"This is going to be an exciting bout. Danny better be ready, because this guy {'Memo' Rodriguez} is tough. He likes
to slug, and keeps on coming. He can take a good punch, and he has a great left-hook."

Andres Herrera {Manager for 'Memo' Rodriguez} >
"We have the style to beat 'Little Red' Lopez. Lots of pressure, with a non-stop body attack. 'Memo' will take the
height and reach advantage away from Lopez, and pound his body."

~ Danny Lopez Behind On Points, Rallies To Score TKO In Last Round ~

~ 'Little Red' Scores Miraculous TKO In 10th, Remains Unbeaten ~

~ Danny Lopez Comes Through With Clutch Rally In The Last Round ~

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez went down to Mexicali looking for an easy pay-day {$10,000} and an expected walk-over win
over an unranked opponent.

But what he found, was a 'Mexican Assault', as his opponent 'Memo' Rodriguez floored him and then battered him
throughout, before running out of gas in the 10th and Final Round.

The first 2-Rounds went as expected, as Lopez used his long reach to 'pepper' the face of the tough Mexican.

But, in Round 3 Rodriguez started to target Lopez' rail-thin body with left-hooks, forcing the undefeated Californian
to back away and protect his ribs.

In a heated Round 4, Lopez attempted to 'take-the-play' away from his opponent, and came in with fast-combinations.
But Rodriguez took the blows, and came back with a series of 'lefts-and-rights' to the head at the {1:45 Mark} that had
Lopez a bit wobbly.

Suddenly, as both fighters began trading punches, Rodriguez came in with a 'jolting' left-hook to Lopez' jaw, dropping
him on the seat of the pants at the {2:10 Mark}. Lopez got to one-knee, and took the Mandatory 8-Count before
rising.

Over the rest of the Round, the Mexican moved forward and slammed in left-hooks and short right-hands as Lopez
retreated to the Ropes.

For the next 3-Rounds {5, 6 and 7}, the Mexican continued to bore-in on Lopez, and slammed him with left-hooks
to the body and short right-hands to the head. Danny was 'rocked' in each of the Rounds. By the end of the 7th Round
Danny was sporting a red face, a small-cut over his left-eye, and a bruised rib area.

In Round 8, Lopez was able to 'hold-off' the short and stronger Mexican's charge, as he was finally able to get some
distance, as he scored with good left-jabs and short-hooks into the charging Rodriguez' face.

But in Round 9, the tough slugger from Mexico came back with solid-attack and had Lopez in trouble after landing
an '8-Punch' barrage at Center-Ring at the {0:40 Mark}. Lopez desperately held on over the next-minute of 'Hell',
and finally was able to stall Rodriguez' assault at the {1:50 Mark} when he came back with a rally-of-his-own.

In a 'wild-exchange' over the last 20-Seconds of Round 9, Lopez was able to open a cut over Rodriguez left-eye by
landing a slashing right-hand. Despite winning the Round, Rodriguez looked 'gassed' at the end of the Round.

Coming out for the 10th and Final Round., 'Memo' Rodriguez was up by a wide-margin on all '3' Scorecards.
* 87-84
* 87-84
* 88-84

Round 10 > Knowing he was behind, Danny Lopez came out with a 'two-fisted' attack, and started firing
'left-and-right' punches at the fading Mexican. Rodriguez tried to grab-and-move, but he was 'badly rocked'
by Lopez' head-punches.

Rodriguez tried to fend off Lopez' incoming barrage, but he was 'stunned' at the {1:20 Mark} and was too
tired to fight back effectively. Lopez continued to hammer away, and at the {1:58 Mark} he dropped
Rodriguez when he landed a 'vicious' straight right-hand to the jaw.

Rodriguez got up at the '9-Count' > but he was 'out-on-his-feet'. Referee - Ramon Ortega waved the bout
over at the {2:09 Mark} of Round 10.

[Bill Paxtom]

March 21, 1974

~ Danny 'Little Red' Lopez Sought For 'Schoolboy' Bobby Chacon ~

Boxing Matchmaker - Don Fraser stated that he was looking to sign up Danny Lopez
to fight Bobby Chacon in a 12-Round bout for the United States Featherweight Championship
for sometime in early May.

Fraser added, that the winner of the Chacon - Lopez bout would later face Ruben Olivares
for the 'vacant' WBA Featherweight Championship, as Champion - Ernesto Marcel from Panama
has retired.

But first, Danny Lopez has 'signed' to face Mexico's Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez in a
rematch. That bout is tentatively set for April 4, 1974 at the Olympic Auditorium.

In their previous bout in Mexicali {February 4th} > Danny Lopez was floored and cut, and
battered thru 9-Rounds. Badly behind on points entering the 10th and Final Round, 'Little Red'
came back with a miraculous rally and stopped Rodriguez with only 51-Seconds left in the
bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

April 1974

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez never went thru with his rematch with Guillermo 'Memo' Rodriguez
set for April 4th at the Olympic Auditorium.

Matchmaker - Don Fraser was trying to get a rematch for Bobby Chacon vs. Ruben Olivares ,
to fight for the NABF Featherweight Championship at 'The Forum'.

But Ruben, having just defeated Art Hafey in a rematch on March 4th, wanted to wait
for a WBC Championship bout.

Don Fraser then wanted to match up Bobby Chacon vs. Art Hafey, but contract negotiations
stalled.

But the bout that everyone waited to see, was 'The Battle Between Friends' >
Bobby Chacon vs. Danny Lopez.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ May 24, 1974

Sports Arena ~ Los Angles, California

Promoter ....... Aileen Eaton

~ The Battle Between Friends ~

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 23-0-0 {22 KO's} ~ 123 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 21 years, 10 months}
vs.
Bobby 'Schoolboy' Chacon - 23-1-0 {21 KO's} ~ 126 lbs. ~ 5' 5 1/2" ~ {Age; 22 years, 6 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

There was an intense rivalry between Boxing Promoters > Aileen Eaton of the Olympic Auditorium
and Don Fraser of The Forum.

Both promoters had signed contracts this bout.

Both negotiated hard for this 'blockbuster bout'. The California State Boxing Commission had to step
in as a arbitrator to comb through the '2' contracts to determine who had the rights to the bout.

On April 10, 1974 > the State Boxing Commission sided with Aileen Eaton.

As for fight purses, both Danny Lopez and Bobby Chacon were guaranteed $35,000 each, or 25% of
the Gross Gate Receipts, whichever was higher.

The early estimates had the Gate to go over $200,000 > meaning each fighter would receive over
$50,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ What They Said ~

Danny Lopez >
I will by Knockout. In the 1st Round or the 12th Round, it doesn't matter to me. I will knock Bobby out.

Look, Bobby got battered and beaten up by Ruben Olivares. And Ruben was a Bantamweight who had
been run out of the Division, and who himself had been clobbered in a few bouts. If Ruben could do that
to Bobby, then I'm sure I'll do the same.

Bobby Chacon >
Danny doesn't hit that hard. I've sparred with him both in the Amateurs and when he first got started in
1971 and 1972. If you back him up, he has no skills. And he's easy to hit, especially with the right-hand.

Look, he has to work hard just to get up to 124 lbs. He's nothing more than a 'big' Bantamweight. Look at
all of his Knockout wins, they're over a bunch of Bantamweights.

I'm a 'big' Featherweight. I'm at 134 lbs. and work down to Featherweight. He can't hurt me, and he knows
it. I'll walk through his punches and wear him down. No way can he go 12 Rounds with me.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 23, 1974

~ Bobby Chacon Wants To End Lopez' Win Streak ~

Bobby Chacon has been listed as a 'slight-favorite' over Danny Lopez for their bout
on Friday Night ~ May 25th.

The consensus is, that Bobby has fought the better competition, and has better overall
skills.

Though Danny Lopez may be regarded as the harder puncher, he has a weakness in
defense, as he is susceptible to right-hands to the chin.

Bobby Chacon >
Danny has always had gotten more publicity than me. But after Friday Night, I will be
in the Newspapers as the one standing over him.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Featherweight Wants Knockout ~

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez wants Knockout.

Danny Lopez >
I want a Knockout. I don't want to have any questions about who the better fighter is.

I wanted this bout last year, but my Manager - Howie Steindler said that I was too light.
But now I'm ready. I've put in 100-Rounds of sparring over the last 4-Weeks.

I'm at 123 lbs. right now, I and plan to get into the Ring about 1-Pound heavier. I here
that Bobby has had trouble with his weight, and that he's walking around at 133 lbs.

If he has to sweat it off the day before the bout, he'll have little strength left.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ The Battle Between Friends ~

[greynotsoold]

No battle between friends at my house. My mother was a Bobby Chacon fan while I was a precocious, trash talking 9 year old Little Red fanatic. I could not even consider the possibility that he was not the greatest fighter ever.

[Bill Paxtom]

No battle between friends at my house. My mother was a Bobby Chacon fan while I was a precocious, trash talking 9 year old Little Red fanatic. I could not even consider the possibility that he was not the greatest fighter ever.

'Little Red' was the fan favorite. 'Schoolboy' was the slight betting-favorite at {8-5}.