Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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}
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~ 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.
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~ 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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ January 18, 1975

Convention Center ~ Anaheim, California

~ Danny Lopez Loses ~

~ 'Famoso' Gomez Pins Loss On 'Little Red' Lopez ~

~ 'Famoso' Gomez Too Tricky For Danny Lopez ~



Danny 'Little Red' Lopez' comeback-run hit another 'Bump-in-the-Road' as he was out-pointed by cragey
veteran Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez.

This is now the 3rd-Loss in the last 4-Bouts for the Fair-Haired Boy of Alhambra. Lopez will undoubtedly fall
out of the Top 10, and with it a chance at Bobby Chacon for the WBC Featherweight Championship.

'Famoso' Gomez came out by using smart tactics, by hitting and moving, and not standing still where Lopez
could deliver his lethal power.

In Round 2, Gomez 'staggered' Danny when he tagged him with a roundhouse-right to the chin. But late in
the Round, Lopez put together a short-burst that opened up a cut over Gomez' left-eye.

Lopez' best Round was the 3rd, when he was able to catch Gomez with a long left-hook, that shook the
28 year-old veteran. Lopez used a steady assortment of 'one-two' punches as Gomez was forced to cover
up along the Ring Perimeter.

But in Round 4, Gomez showed his experience, as he ducked and stayed low as Lopez fired away. Then
with cat-quick reflexes, Gomez would fire back with fast counters that had 'Little Red' bewildered.

Gomez also inflicted a cut inside Lopez right eye-brow when the landed several roundhouse hooks to the area.

During the middle Rounds {5, 6, and 7} 'Little Red' pressed with his upright-stance, but he was ineffective
with his attack.

'Octavio' Gomez with his free-wheeling style, repeatedly connected with round-house swings as Lopez moved
in. And when Lopez tried to counter, Gomez used 'nifty footwork' to scamper away.

Gomez scored time and again with '3 and 4' punch combinations, rocking Lopez to his toes.

A desperate Lopez tried to land one his lethal-blows in the later Rounds, but he was constantly baffled as he
pressed Gomez.

Each time that Lopez was able to score, he did have Gomez in some trouble. But each time, 'Famoso' would
rally back to out-punch Lopez in 'toe-to-toe' exchanges.

Scorecards
* Referee - John Thomas .......... 6-3 > {Octavio Gomez}
* Judge - Larry Rozadilla ........... 7-3 > {Octavio Gomez}
* Judge - George Latka ............. 7-1 > {Octavio Gomez}

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez vs. Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez

Danny was baffled all night. The Boxing Writers wrote, that he was swinging at a
Ghost all night long.

'Famoso', who was labeled as a journeyman, used 'Hit-and-Run' tactics, and beat Danny
to the punch time and again.

With his upright stance, Danny was no match for the fleet-footed and cagey veteran.

And even when they traded where Danny had the clear advantage, he was out-punched.

After Danny suffered a cut inside his right eye-brow in Round 4, cut-man Teddy Bentham
had to patch him up.

Danny Lopez >
He was just too tricky for me tonight. I just couldn't trap him long enough to catch
him with a good punch.

Yea, he hit me with a lot of counter-punches. But that is the penalty I have to pay when
I come in looking to land my hard punches.

Octavio Gomez >
I wasn't going to stand there and let him get set. I kept moving, and used my footwork
to dance away from him.

He has a long reach, and you can't trade with Danny or he'll take you out. You have to move
and give him angles. It is a simple formula > Hit and Run.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 23, 1975

~ The Lopez Brothers Return To Orem, Utah ~

Ernie 'Indian Red' Lopez and younger brother Danny 'Little Red' Lopez retuned
back home to Orem, Utah where their boxing career's started.

Stan Chynoweth who runs 'Stan's Boxing Club', was the key factor in getting the
Lopez Brothers started in boxing, as Amateurs.

Danny was Stan's protégé, and he helped develop the awesome power that 'Little Red'
is famous for.

Danny Lopez >
Without Stan, I would have never reached the level of where I am today. He got me to
the Top of the Amateur Bantamweights in 1970 and 1971.

It was Stan who encouraged me to turn Pro, and to go to California. I wanted to stay
in Utah, but there was not any good sparring for me there. Stan pointed me West, and said
go to the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles.

I'm out here to relax and regroup, as I have lost '3' of my last '4-bouts'. I figured it was best
to go back to Utah, and visit with my family and friends. I want to forget about Boxing for
a few weeks, and clear the cob-webs.

http://img2.newspapers.com/img/thumb....jpg?cs=604800

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Is Danny Lopez Through ~

~ 'Little Red' Lopez, Future On The Line ~

Thursday ~ April 24, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 24-3-0 {23 KO's} ~ 127 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 22 years, 9 months}
vs.
Jesus 'Chucho' Castillo - 47-12-2 {22 KO's} ~ 126 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 4" ~ {Age; 29 years, 10 months}
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[Bill Paxtom]

~ Is Danny Lopez Through ~

~ 'Little Red' Lopez, Future On The Line ~

Thursday ~ April 24, 1975

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 24-3-0 {23 KO's} ~ 127 lbs. ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ {Age; 22 years, 9 months}
vs.
Jesus 'Chucho' Castillo - 47-12-2 {22 KO's} ~ 126 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 4" ~ {Age; 30 years, 10 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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~ The Skinny ~

Danny Lopez has lost '3 of 4' bouts since May 24, 1974. Also, Danny is coming of an embarrassing
'lopsided' 10-Round Decision loss to 'journeyman' Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez > 3-Months earlier on
{January 18, 1975}.

Danny has now dropped out of the WBC Top 10, and sits at #14. Danny needs a win in a big way,
as another loss may send him into a 'downward spiral' which will take him at least 1-Year to dig
out of.

Danny Lopez >
I have dedicated myself over the last 2-Months. I'm 100% both physical and mentally, and I feel
that I'm in the best shape of my career.

I have put on 4 Pounds of muscle, and I feel much better at 127 lbs. than I did at 123 lbs. I am
punching with even more power now, as I feel stronger.

I will press Jesus Castillo early, and go for the Knockout. I will put pressure on him and not give
him any room to move. But if I have to, I can go 10 fast-paced Rounds as well.
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Jesus 'Chucho' Castillo

Jesus Castillo is a former World Bantamweight Champion {October 16, 1970 -thru- April 2, 1971}.

The 13-year veteran has been competing since April 1962. 'Chucho' is a durable and smart boxing
fighter, who can baffle even the best fighters out there.

But at {Age; 30 years, 10 months}, Castillo has faded since November 1972, as he has only gone
2-5-0 in his last '7-Bouts.

But, 'Chucho' did score an 'upset' in his last bout, when he won a 10-Round Decision over highly-
touted Panamanian - Rafael Ortega on September 14, 1974. Ortega had been rated as the
#6 WBA Featherweight.

'Chucho' also is a former Mexican Bantamweight, and NABF Bantamweight Champion.

The draw back here, is that 'Chucho' has been idle for 7-Months, and his age is a negative factor here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ Betting-Line ~

Danny Lopez opened up as a {3-1} Favorite, 10-Days before the bout.

But, by fight night the Odds were 'Even'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ April 24, 1975

~ 'Little Red' Lopez Scores 2nd Round Knockout ~

~ Lopez Regains Lethal Power And Stops 'Chucho' Castillo In Two ~

Danny Lopez scored a short and dramatic Knockout over former World Bantamweight Champion
Jesus 'Chucho' Castillo in '2' short Rounds.

Castillo was supposed to be a strong test for the Alhambra Knockout-Artist, as the Boxing Pundits
pointed to the durability of the near 31 year-old veteran and former Champion.

The action was rough-and-wild after the Opening Bell, as both fighters went toe-to-toe at
Center-Ring to a thrilled crowd at the Olympic Auditorium.

Castillo seemed to have a slight-edge in the exchanges, but at the {1:50 Mark}, Lopez leaned
in hard, and 'accidentally' head-butted Castillo square on the forehead.

'Chucho' was hurt and turned slightly. Lopez then unleashed with a series of lefts-and-rights,
and Castillo took a knee at the {2:02 Mark}, where he took a 'Mandatory 8-Count' from Referee
John Thomas.

The former Bantamweight Champion was able to use his experience to scamper away from the
hard-pressing Lopez over the last 50-Seconds of the Round to escape.

In Round 2, Danny came out fast, and went right after 'Chucho'. After tagging Castillo with a
'jarring' left-right to the head, Danny came back with a pin-point straight right-hand to the chin,
and 'Chucho' went down at the {0:36 Mark}.

Castillo was up at the '4-Count', and was ready to continue. Lopez then moved in, and raked over
his out-matched opponent with a non-stop attack of lefts-and-rights.

'Chucho' did his best to stay up, but he was in survival-mode as he was driven all over the Ring
for the next 2-Minutes by the hard-charging Lopez.

Late in the Round, Lopez hammered Castillo to the front-Ropes, and staggered him with a jolting
right-hand to the head. Then Lopez rained in a series of 'lefts-and-rights', and dropped Castillo at the
{2:52 Mark}.

Castillo was up at the '7-Count' but was too dazed to continue. Referee - John Thomas waved
the bout over at the {3:00 Mark}, just as the Bell sounded ending Round 2.