Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 19. 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Danny Lopez Stopped By TKO In 9th, Bid For Title On Hold ~

~ 'Little Red' Upset At The Olympic ~

~ Shig Fukuyama Upsets 'Little Red' Lopez ~

Japanese Featherweight - 'Shig' Fukuyama {6-1 Betting-Underdog} scored a 'major upset' as he
stopped Danny Lopez by a TKO in 9.

Before the Bell starting Round 9, 'Little Red' Lopez stumbled out to Center-Ring on wobbling legs.
Referee - Larry Rozadilla immediately called the bout over before the Bell sounded to start the
Round.

It goes down as a TKO 9 @ {0:00} win for Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama.

The bout got off to a rousing start in Round 1, as both fighters traded good blows to the face
in spirited action in a relatively 'even session'.

But in Rounds 2 and 3, it was Lopez who got the better of the action, as his faster hand-speed
was the difference. 'Little Red' peppered Fukuyama's face with poking left-jabs, and fast straight
right-hands.

But the tough Nippon fighter, barreled in with hard left-hooks to the Lopez' head in Round 4, that
had the Alhambra Idol backing away.

Fukuyama kept up the pressure in Rounds 5 and 6, as he continued to land jarring left-hooks to the
head and right-hand counters through the porous defense of Lopez.

But 'Little Red' got it back-in-gear in Round 7, as he shook up Fukuyama with a series of punches to the
head. Just as it looked as if Lopez would take Fukuyama down, the tough Japan slugger came in with
a jolting right-hand to the jaw that shook Lopez. Fukuyama pounded Lopez for a good 25-Seconds
as he had taken back control over the second-half of the session.

But Lopez showed his great recuperative powers, and came storming back with a barrage to the head
at the {2:30 mark}, and pounded away over the last 30-Seconds, that had Fukuyama bleeding badly
from inside the mouth.

[greynotsoold]

I don't know why I never hated Fumuyama as much as I hated Chacon and still hate Sanchez. He made a mess of O'Grady, too, until...
When he finished the O'Grady fight on the canvas bleeding from the ears I guess the hate left me.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 19. 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Danny Lopez Stopped By TKO In 9th, Bid For Title On Hold ~

~ 'Little Red' Upset At The Olympic ~

~ Shig Fukuyama Upsets 'Little Red' Lopez ~

Japanese Featherweight - 'Shig' Fukuyama {6-1 Betting-Underdog} scored a 'major upset' as he
stopped Danny Lopez by a TKO in 9.

Before the Bell starting Round 9, 'Little Red' Lopez stumbled out to Center-Ring on wobbling legs.
Referee - Larry Rozadilla immediately called the bout over before the Bell sounded to start the
Round.

It goes down as a TKO 9 @ {0:00} win for Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama.

The bout got off to a rousing start in Round 1, as both fighters traded good blows to the face
in spirited action in a relatively 'even session'.

But in Rounds 2 and 3, it was Lopez who got the better of the action, as his faster hand-speed
was the difference. 'Little Red' peppered Fukuyama's face with poking left-jabs, and fast straight
right-hands.

But the tough Nippon fighter, barreled in with hard left-hooks to the Lopez' head in Round 4, that
had the Alhambra Idol backing away.

Fukuyama kept up the pressure in Rounds 5 and 6, as he continued to land jarring left-hooks to the
head and right-hand counters through the porous defense of Lopez.

But 'Little Red' got it back-in-gear in Round 7, as he shook up Fukuyama with a series of punches to the
head. Just as it looked as if Lopez would take Fukuyama down, the tough Japan slugger came in with
a jolting right-hand to the jaw that shook Lopez. Fukuyama pounded Lopez for a good 25-Seconds
as he had taken back control over the second-half of the session.

But Lopez showed his great recuperative powers, and came storming back with a barrage to the head
at the {2:30 mark}, and pounded away over the last 30-Seconds, that had Fukuyama bleeding badly
from inside the mouth.

Crazy Round 8 >

Danny came out fast, and started 'bombing' away. Danny unloaded with a barrage of lefts-and-rights that
had Fukuyama wavering along the Ropes early.

Danny landed a stinging right-hand to Fukuyama's left-eye at the {0:50 Mark}, and opened up a 'gash'.
Danny tried to move in close to unload, but he was met by a 'raging foe' who came back with a forceful rally.

'Shig' pounded Danny with a series of 'slashing' lefts-and-rights to the face that now had Danny reeling
backwards. 'Shig' kept moving forward and punching.

At the {2:15 Mark} > Fukuyama came in with a slashing' left-hook that opened up a 'bad-cut' on Danny's right
eye-brow. Then 'Shig' tore into Danny with a 'torrid-assault' of lefts-and-rights to the head that had Lopez
staggering all over the Ring.

At the Bell, Danny was nearly out-on-his-feet.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 19. 1974

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Danny Lopez Stopped By TKO In 9th, Bid For Title On Hold ~

~ 'Little Red' Upset At The Olympic ~

~ Shig Fukuyama Upsets 'Little Red' Lopez ~

Japanese Featherweight - 'Shig' Fukuyama {6-1 Betting-Underdog} scored a 'major upset' as he
stopped Danny Lopez by a TKO in 9.

Before the Bell starting Round 9, 'Little Red' Lopez stumbled out to Center-Ring on wobbling legs.
Referee - Larry Rozadilla immediately called the bout over before the Bell sounded to start the
Round.

It goes down as a TKO 9 @ {0:00} win for Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama.

The bout got off to a rousing start in Round 1, as both fighters traded good blows to the face
in spirited action in a relatively 'even session'.

But in Rounds 2 and 3, it was Lopez who got the better of the action, as his faster hand-speed
was the difference. 'Little Red' peppered Fukuyama's face with poking left-jabs, and fast straight
right-hands.

But the tough Nippon fighter, barreled in with hard left-hooks to the Lopez' head in Round 4, that
had the Alhambra Idol backing away.

Fukuyama kept up the pressure in Rounds 5 and 6, as he continued to land jarring left-hooks to the
head and right-hand counters through the porous defense of Lopez.

But 'Little Red' got it back-in-gear in Round 7, as he shook up Fukuyama with a series of punches to the
head. Just as it looked as if Lopez would take Fukuyama down, the tough Japan slugger came in with
a jolting right-hand to the jaw that shook Lopez. Fukuyama pounded Lopez for a good 25-Seconds
as he had taken back control over the second-half of the session.

But Lopez showed his great recuperative powers, and came storming back with a barrage to the head
at the {2:30 mark}, and pounded away over the last 30-Seconds, that had Fukuyama bleeding badly
from inside the mouth.

Crazy Round 8 >

Danny came out fast, and started 'bombing' away. Danny unloaded with a barrage of lefts-and-rights that
had Fukuyama wavering along the Ropes early.

Danny landed a stinging right-hand to Fukuyama's left-eye at the {0:50 Mark}, and opened up a 'gash'.
Danny tried to move in close to unload, but he was met by a 'raging foe' who came back with a forceful rally.

'Shig' pounded Danny with a series of 'slashing' lefts-and-rights to the face that now had Danny reeling
backwards. 'Shig' kept moving forward and punching.

At the {2:15 Mark} > Fukuyama came in with a slashing' left-hook that opened up a 'bad-cut' on Danny's right
eye-brow. Then 'Shig' tore into Danny with a 'torrid-assault' of lefts-and-rights to the head that had Lopez
staggering all over the Ring.

At the Bell, Danny was nearly out-on-his-feet.

Between Rounds

The Ringside Physician went to both corners, to checkout the cuts over the eye's of each
fighter {Danny's right eye} and {Fukuyama's left-eye}.

The Physician allowed both fighters to continue.

In Danny Lopez' corner, they worked feverishly on the gash on the right eye-brow. Danny was
also not in good shape, as he had taken a brutal beating at the end of Round 8.

With about 10-Seconds before the Bell sounding to start Round 9, the Lopez corner lifted their
fighter up off the stool. Danny then stepped forward, and literally stumbled towards Center-Ring
on wobbling legs, as he fell into Referee - Larry Rozadilla who was standing at Center-Ring waiting
for the Round to begin.

The Referee saw that Danny was in no condition to continue, and he waved the bout over.

Scorecards at the end of Round 8
* Referee - Larry Rozadilla ....... 4-3 > {Danny Lopez}
* Judge - Dick Young .............. 5-3 > {Danny Lopez}
* Judge - Richard Steele .......... 3-3 > {'Even'}

* Associated Press ................... 4-3 > {Danny Lopez}

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Shig Fukuyama

~ Aftermath ~

With the TKO 9 'loss', Danny Lopez lost out on his bid for a chance at WBC Featherweight
Champion - Bobby Chacon.

Danny had to have {3-Stitches} sewn on his right eyebrow by Dr. Bernhart Schwarz to seal
his bad gash.

Danny 'claimed' that he was accidentally blinded by his corner, as they got coagulant in
his eyes when they were working on the cut over his right-eye in the corner between
Rounds 8 and 9.

Danny Lopez >
When I got up, I took a step forward and my foot got tangled up with one of my cornermen.
I stumbled forward, and I couldn't see to get my balance. I was 'temporarily' blinded, and
my eyesight was 'blurry'.

The Referee {Larry Rozadilla} took one look at me, and then called it over. Even before the
Bell for Round 9 rang to start the Round. He didn't even give me a chance to start Round 9.

Howie Steindler {Manager for Danny Lopez} >
It was my fault. The ointment poured out of the tube, and it got all over Danny's forehead.
It then went into his eyes. He was blinded and couldn't see.

I guess because Danny had a real bad 8th Round, the Referee didn't want to take any chances.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shig Fukuyama required {15-Stitches} to mend the bad cut over his left-eye.

Shig Fukuyama >
It was better that they stopped it. I had Danny in a real mess at the end of the 8th Round. He
would have gotten hurt if had tried to fight me in Round 9.

David Thompson {Manager for Shig Fukuyama} >
It was smart for the Referee to stop it. Shig would have knocked out Danny in Round 9 anyway.
Danny was 'out-on-his-feet' at the end of the 8th Round. He was getting beat up, and there was
no way he was going to win.
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Bobby Chacon >
I don't care that Danny lost. I promised him that I would make my 1st-Defense against him, and I'm
keeping my word.

OK, yes he lost. But he was not counted out. He lost because of a bad-cut, and 'blurred' vision because
his corner got some medication in his eyes.

I'll still fight Danny. This is the fight that everyone wants to see.

Joe Ponce {Managed for Bobby Chacon} >
I said that Lopez taking on Fukuyama was a big risk. That guy has a slashing-slugging style, and he did
exactly what I thought. He ripped Danny's right-eye open with his left-hand.

Now, he will be out-of-action for at least 3-Months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Bill Paxtom]

November 1, 1974

WBC Featherweight Rankings

*** Bobby Chacon
#1 . Alexis Arguello {WBA Champion}
#2 . David Kotey
#3 . Ruben Olivares
#4 . Alfredo Marcano
#5 . Vicente Blanco
#6 . Art Hafey
#7 . Juan Jose Jiminez
#8 . Shig Fukuyama
#9 . Danny Lopez
#10. Jose Estrada

[Bill Paxtom]

November 1, 1974

WBC Featherweight Rankings

*** Bobby Chacon
#1 . Alexis Arguello {WBA Champion}
#2 . David Kotey
#3 . Ruben Olivares
#4 . Alfredo Marcano
#5 . Vicente Blanco
#6 . Art Hafey
#7 . Juan Jose Jiminez
#8 . Shig Fukuyama
#9 . Danny Lopez
#10. Jose Estrada

November 1974

Danny Lopez was 'out-of-action', to allow his bad gash {right eye-brow} to heal.

The Olympic Auditorium Promoter - Aileen Eaton was trying to get WBC Champion - Bobby Chacon
and to defend his title on December 14th, and against Danny Lopez conqueror - Shig Fukuyama.

Aileen Eaton {Fight Promoter} >
I would like Bobby to make his 1st Title Defense right here. I think that the match-up with
Shig Fukuyama would make for a wonderful boxing event.

My plan, would be for the winner of the Championship bout to defend against fan favorite
Danny 'Little Red' Lopez in March of 1975.

Danny should come back in January 1975, and I'm sure we could get him a safe opponent to get
him back in the win column.

Howie Steindller {Manager for Danny Lopez} >
We will be back. I want Danny to take the rest of the year off. We'll get back on track after
the 1st of the year in 1975.

2 or 3 good wins, and we're right back on the door step of getting a World Championship bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ January 18, 1975

Convention Center ~ Anaheim, California

Promoter ............ Don Fraser
Attendance ......... 6186
Gate Receipts ..... $42,525

Danny 'Little Red; Lopez - 24-2-0 {23 KO's} ~ 5' 7 1/2' ~ 124 3/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 6 months}
vs.
Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez - 51-8-6 {30 KO's} ~ 5' 4" ~ 125 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 2 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Danny Lopez On The Comeback Trail ~

Danny Lopez is coming back after suffering a devastating loss {TKO 9} to Shig Fukuyama on
September 19, 1974 {4 months earlier}.

'Little Red' is seeking a bout with WBC Featherweight Champion - Bobby Chacon.

Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez is a cagey 11-Year veteran, who is a very good counter-puncher. Octavio
is a stable-mate of Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion - Ruben Olivares.

Octavio is coming off a big upset, where he scored a 10-Round Decision over Art Hafey only 1-month
earlier {December 20, 1974}.

Danny Lopez is a solid {2-1} Betting-Favorite here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Most of the boxing pundits predict that 'Little Red' will have no trouble putting away Octavio, who is
a shop-worn over-blown Bantamweight.

The insiders have stated that Octavio's upset win over #6 WBC-ranked Art Hafey was not a big shock,
because the Canadian Fire-Plug was worn out.