Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ April 28, 1976

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Attendance .......... 7600
Gate Receipts ...... $78,000

~ 'Little Red' Kayo's Octavio Gomez In 3 ~

~ Lopez Rips Foe In Coast Bout ~

~ Lopez Scores 3rd Round Kayo Over Gomez ~

~ 'Little Red' Avenges Defeat To Gomez 15-Months Earlier ~

This bout was a 'Pick-Em' bout when first announced on March 18th. One-Week before the bout,
Danny Lopez was a 'slight-favorite' at {7-5}. But by fight night, the Lopez supporters had put
'Little Red' as a {2-1} Betting-Favorite.

'Favored' Danny Lopez took command from the out-set and put heavy-pressure on the cagey
29 year-old veteran Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez. From the 'get-go', Lopez had the 'nifty-veteran'
figured out this time.

Gomez did use his clever skills and unorthodox-style to avoid the early attack by Danny Lopez.
But by the {2:00 Mark} the Mexican was starting to wilt.

Danny used his pulverizing right-hand to stun the over-matched Gomez, when he delivered a
punch to the veterans 'heart' at the {2:15 Mark}. Danny then battered Gomez to the right-side
Ropes by catching him with '2' hard right-hand leads to the head, that drove the veteran Mexican
scampering backwards.

In Round 2, 'Little Red' continued with pressure, and delivered a series of 'left-and-right' hands to
the upper-body, that had Gomez in trouble throughout.

By the {1:30 Mark}, Gomez had slowed down noticeably and was now flat-footed. Danny continued
with his relentless pursuit of his 'older foe'. After receiving a hard combination to the body late in
the Round, Gomez dropped his hands and turned away in pain, then after a few-seconds he put
up his guard and backed away.

In Round 3, it was all Lopez as he hammered the over-matched Mexican with hard-punches.

Danny caught Gomez with a 'jarring' right-hand to the head, followed by a flurry of lefts-and-rights
that sent the Mexican reeling. Then Danny stepped in a delivered a solid left-hook to the head,
and came back with a 'sizzling' right-cross to the jaw.

Gomez then collapsed to the canvas and rolled on his stomach. He lay there as he was counted out
by Referee - Dick Young at {1:15} of Round 3.

Each fighter received a Fight Purse of $20,000.

Danny Lopez >
This was kind of a revenge bout for me, as Octavio really 'embarrassed' me last time we fought.
But now, I'm a much better fighter.

Now it's time for David 'Poison' Kotey. We're hoping to get him here in June or July. He has 'one'
more Title Defense lined up against {Shig Fukuyama}. He should win that bout, then I'm next.

I think I can 'Knockout' David Kotey, and win the Title. I've seen him fight, and I think that I
can knock him out early. I have to put a lot of pressure on him early, and not let him get into
his rhythm.

My best chance to win the Title is by an early knockout. He is a very good athlete who has
tremendous physical abilities, and that will be the hurdle to overcome. He gets better as
the fight goes on, and he would be really tough over the 2nd-Half of a bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez Scores KO 3 Over Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez ~

[Bill Paxtom]

June 29, 1976

~ Art Hafey and Danny Lopez Sign For WBC Eliminator ~

~ Hafey and Lopez, Both Predict Knockouts ~

~ Bout Set for August 6th, Winner Gets Title Bout ~

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey

Set for Friday ~ August 6, 1976

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Promoter ..... Don Fraser

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 30-3-0 {29 KO's} ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ 126 lbs. ~ Reach; 70" ~ Age; 24 years, 1 month}
vs.
Art 'Toy Tiger' Hafey - 53-7-4 {36 KO's} ~ 5' 3" ~ 126 lbs. ~ Reach; 63" ~ Age; 25 years, 7 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

This bout is scheduled for 12-Rounds, and is billed as a WBC Elimination Bout.

The winner will get to Challenge WBC Featherweight Champion - David Kotey in the Fall.

The bout is also billed as a 'Sudden Death Bout'. Meaning that if the bout is 'All Even' after 12-Rounds,
and additional Round will be added.

Both fighters will receive a Fight Purse Guarantee of $25,000 or 30% of the Gate Receipts {whichever is larger}.

Both fighters received $4000 in up-front Training Expenses on June 29, 1976.

Art Hafey is ranked as the #1 WBC and #3 WBA Featherweight.

Danny Lopez is ranked as the #2 WBC and #4 WBA Featherweight.

[Bill Paxtom]

July 28, 1976

~ Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey ~

Don Fraser {Fight Promoter} >
We're expecting 9500 in attendance, and with a Gate of $110,000. Both of these boys will
receive $30,000 and some, just from the {the house} alone.

With the Closed Circuit Broadcast, they could each net another $20,000. They deserve it, as
both are the Top Featherweights in the Division.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benny Giorgino {Los Angles Boxing Odds-Maker} >
When these guys first signed up for this bout back on June 21st, I had the bout as 'Even'. It was
a Pick-Em bout. But now, Danny has edged ahead as a {10-7} Betting-Favorite.

I'm seeing more money on Danny now. It will probably drop to {10-6} in another day or so.
By fight night, Danny may have moved even further up as the favorite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose Sulaiman {WBC President} >
This is an Elimination bout. WBC Champion - David Kotey must fight the winner of the bout. He must
'sign' a fight contract within 30-Days, and defend his Title within the appropriate time frame.

We are hoping for a WBC Championship Bout to be set for November 1976.

[Bill Paxtom]

July 28, 1976

~ Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey ~

Don Fraser {Fight Promoter} >
We expect a Gate of $110,000. Both of these boys will receive $30,000 and some, just from
the {the house} alone.

With the Closed Circuit Broadcast, they could each net another $20,000. They deserve it, as
both are the Top Featherweights in the Division.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benny Giorgino {Los Angles Boxing Odds-Maker} >
When these guys first signed up for this bout back on June 29th, I had the bout as 'Even'. It was
a Pick-Em bout. But now, Danny has edged ahead as a {10-7} Betting-Favorite.

I'm seeing more money on Danny now. It will probably drop to {10-6} in another day or so.
By fight night, Danny may have moved even further up as the favorite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose Sulaiman {WBC President} >
This is an Elimination bout. WBC Champion - David Kotey must fight the winner of the bout. He must
'sign' a fight contract within 30-Days, and defend his Title within the appropriate time frame.

We are hoping for a WBC Championship Bout to be set for November 1976.

~ More Skinny ~

Joe Olmos {Chairman if the California State Boxing Commission >
Both fighters have waived the 12-Round contract, and have agreed to fight a 'Sudden Death' 13th Round.
If the bout is 'even' on the Scorecards after 12-Rounds, they will go more '1' more Round.

We must have a winner. If the bout is still 'Even' after the 13th Round, Art Hafey will retain
his #1 WBC Ranking and will be the next fighter to challenge WBC Featherweight Champion - David Kotey.

Rich Roberts {Sportswriter} >
This bout is a real toss-up. But I think that Art Hafey will edge it out. Probably by 1-Point over 12-Rounds.

Danny Lopez >
I expect a real war in there. This will be my 'toughest' fight of my career. I will win by Knockout, but
I won't predict a Round.

Howie Steindler {Manager for Danny Lopez} >
There is no denying, Danny Lopez is the most exciting fighter out there. Nobody can take his right-hand
now. He has developed into a complete and devastating 'offensive machine'.

Burke Emery {Manager for Art Hafey} >
I'm not worried about this 'Sudden Death Round'. It will never happen. This bout will be over by the
5th Round, with my guy winning.

Art Hafey >
We are the 'two' hardest hitting guys in the Featherweight Division {outside of Alexis Arguello}. I find it
hard to think that the bout will go the distance. Nobody wants it to go to the Scorecards. Both us will
be looking for the Knockout. But I'm the one who will win. I'll knock him out in the 7th Round.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Bobby Chacon Leans Toward Danny Lopez Over Art Hafey ~

Former Featherweight Champion - Bobby Chacon said that he wasn't picking a winner, but he
had to lean towards Danny Lopez in his bout with Art Hafey of Nova Scotia.

Bobby had offered up his services as a sparring-partner for Art Hafey in his preparation for his
bot with Danny Lopez.

Bobby Chacon >
I sparred with Art Hafey for 8-Days straight. 3-Rounds per Session. He was a little sluggish on the
1st-Day, but he got better with each sparring-session.

He {Art Hafey} is a good-hitter, but he is going to have a real problem with Danny's height and
reach. This is a real contrast in styles. A tall power-puncher {Lopez} against a short slugger {Hafey}.

The problem, is that Art will have to take a lot of punches to get in close. He's tough, but he may
take punches 'flush' as he is coming in.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Two-days before the bout, Danny Lopez was listed as a {10-6} Betting-Favorite.

[beenKOed]

July 28, 1976

~ Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey ~

Don Fraser {Fight Promoter} >
We expect a Gate of $110,000. Both of these boys will receive $30,000 and some, just from
the {the house} alone.

With the Closed Circuit Broadcast, they could each net another $20,000. They deserve it, as
both are the Top Featherweights in the Division.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benny Giorgino {Los Angles Boxing Odds-Maker} >
When these guys first signed up for this bout back on June 29th, I had the bout as 'Even'. It was
a Pick-Em bout. But now, Danny has edged ahead as a {10-7} Betting-Favorite.

I'm seeing more money on Danny now. It will probably drop to {10-6} in another day or so.
By fight night, Danny may have moved even further up as the favorite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose Sulaiman {WBC President} >
This is an Elimination bout. WBC Champion - David Kotey must fight the winner of the bout. He must
'sign' a fight contract within 30-Days, and defend his Title within the appropriate time frame.

We are hoping for a WBC Championship Bout to be set for November 1976.

~ More Skinny ~

Joe Olmos {Chairman if the California State Boxing Commission >
Both fighters have waived the 12-Round contract, and have agreed to fight a 'Sudden Death' 13th Round.
If the bout is 'even' on the Scorecards after 12-Rounds, they will go more '1' more Round.

We must have a winner. If the bout is still 'Even' after the 13th Round, Art Hafey will retain
his #1 WBC Ranking and will be the next fighter to challenge WBC Featherweight Champion - David Kotey.

Rich Roberts {Sportswriter} >
This bout is a real toss-up. But I think that Art Hafey will edge it out. Probably by 1-Point over 12-Rounds.

Danny Lopez >
I expect a real war in there. This will be my 'toughest' fight of my career. I will win by Knockout, but
I won't predict a Round.

Howie Steindler {Manager for Danny Lopez} >
There is no denying, Danny Lopez is the most exciting fighter out there. Nobody can take his right-hand
now. He has developed into a complete and devastating 'offensive machine'.

Burke Emery {Manager for Art Hafey} >
I'm not worried about this 'Sudden Death Round'. It will never happen. This bout will be over by the
5th Round, with my guy winning.

Art Hafey >
We are the 'two' hardest hitting guys in the Featherweight Division {outside of Alexis Arguello}. I find it
hard to think that the bout will go the distance. Nobody wants it to go to the Scorecards. Both us will
be looking for the Knockout. But I'm the one who will win. I'll knock him out in the 7th Round.

I completely missed out on the 13th Sudden Death round. This is the first time I've heard about it. Thanks!