Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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!

[Bill Paxtom]

On July 28, 1976

Art Hafey vs. 'Little Red' Lopez ~

Sudden-Death Bout, Maybe ?


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SRUVCfouoUCIQw

[Bill Paxtom]

On July 28, 1976

Art Hafey vs. 'Little Red' Lopez ~

Sudden-Death Bout, Maybe ?


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SRUVCfouoUCIQw

~ Coming Into This Bout ~

Danny Lopez >

Danny was being 'slotted for a WBC Featherweight Championship bout in the Spring of 1974,
but a loss {L TKO 9} to Bobby Chacon on May 24, 1974 set him back. Then, '2' other losses
followed, and Danny dropped out of the Top 10 in January 1975.

But since January 20, 1975 > Danny has won '6-Straight' bouts, and with all coming by
way of Knockout.

Danny, despite being ranked '1-Slot' below Art Hafey, opened up as a {10-7} Betting-Favorite
on June 22, 1976 - when this bout was announced.

Since then, Danny was upped to {10-6}, and then listed as a {2-1} Betting-Favorite the
day before the August 6th bout.

Danny's last loss was back on January 18, 1975 > when he was 'upset' {L Dec 10} by
Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Art Hafey >

Art Hafey 'The Toy Tiger' from Nova Scotia was an 8-Year Pro, who had been competing
since 1968.

Art had entered the Featherweight Division Top 10 in mid-1972, and had been a main stay
at the Top of the Division. 'The Toy Tiger' should have gotten a Title Bout as early as
1973.

Coming into this bout, Art had won '15' straight bouts with {10 by Knockout} over the last
20-Months {December 21, 1974}. > And he has won 19 of 20 since May 18, 1974.

Art only been stopped 'once' in '64-Bouts', and that was to the best fighter and hardest
puncher in the Division { Alexis Arguello } back on May 18, 1974 by a {L TKO 5}.

Art's last loss {L Dec 10} was to Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez back on December 20, 1974
in a closely contested bout that was held in Baja California.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commonality >

Both fighters {last defeats} were 'upsets Decision losses' to the same fighter, veteran
Mexican {cagey and nifty} Octavio 'Famoso' Gomez.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ August 6, 1976

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Attendance ........... 7850
Gate Receipts ....... $93,100

~ 'Little Red' Batters Art Hafey ~

~ Lopez TKO's Hafey, Earns Title Shot ~

Danny Lopez battered #1 WBC Featherweight - Art Hafey with a non-stop and vicious assault,
and stopped Hafey by TKO @ 0:56 of Round 7.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1 >

The bout got off to a rousing start in the Opening Round, as the fight developed into an immediate
'slug-fest'.

Danny came out by pressing-forward, as Art used long left-jabs while trying to keep Danny at bay.

Art, with a {5 1/2' Height and 7' Reach} disadvantage started winging 'looping' right-hand punches
from the outside as Danny pressed forward.

Art landed a tremendous 'looping' right-hand to Danny's jaw at the {1:48 Mark}, that buckled his
knee's slightly while at Center-Ring.

At the {1:55 Mark}, Art swarmed over Danny with a 'barrage', that drove Danny backwards and
into the front-left Corner.

But Danny fought off Art, as he landed a 'jolting' left-uppercut to the chin, making Art back out.
Danny then pressed, by using measuring left-jabs and quick straight right-hands to the head.

At the {2:22 Mark}, Art landed a 'big' overhand right to the head, that 'shook' Danny at Center-Ring.
But, again Danny continued to trudge forward.

Danny was now sporting a bruised upper-cheek on the left-side of his face.

At the {2:46 Mark}, Art caught Danny with a 'lightning-bolt' left-hook to head while they were in close.
But, Danny again came back with a 'left-left-right' at the end of the session to back Art up to the front
Ropes.

Round 1 ........ Art Hafey {10-9}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 2 >

Both fighters came out aggressively, and met at Center-Ring and traded with 'thudding' punches.

0:04 > Art got off first by landing a hard 'left-right' to Danny's head.
0:11 > Danny stepped in, and landed a 'jolting' right-uppercut to the chin.
0:20 > Art gets off with a wide 'left-hook' to the head.
0:22 > Art comes back with a flurry and stays busy as Danny is right in front of him.

0:40 > Danny is using a steady flow of left-jabs to take advantage of his reach. and to poke Art in the face.
0:42 > Both trade hard punches to the head. Danny lands with a right, and Art lands with a left.
0:50 > Danny is pressing hard, and is firing 'one-two' punches.
1:00 > Art is doing a good job of avoiding the incoming long-range punches by 'bobbing-and-weaving'.

1:10 > Danny makes an aggressive-charge, and forces Art to back to the left-side Ropes.
1:20 > Art is trying to catch Danny with wide-punches, but he is missing.
1:25 > Danny is firing in with steady punches.
1:27 > Art moves to the back Ropes.

1:29 > Danny scores with a 'jarring' 5-Punch flurry.
1:34 > Danny lands with a hard 'left-right' to the head.
1:36 > Art 'wobbles slightly' and moved into the back-right Corner.
1:38 > Danny fires away with a barrage.

1:50 > Art works his way out of the Corner and out to Center-Ring.
2:04 > Danny scores with a 'hard' right-hand to the upper-chest.
2:05 > Art 'stumbles' forward on shaky-pins.
2:10 > Art is now pressing, and is tossing in wide-punches.

2:16 > Art lands with good chopping right-hand to the head.
2:22 > Danny scores with a solid counter right-hand to the head.
2:25 > Danny starts unloading with 'one-two' punches into Art's head.
2:40 > Art is now sporting a 'Golf Ball' sized swelling under his left-eye.

2:45 > Danny continues to slam away and batters Art.
2:51 > Art now has a 'cut' over his left-eye.
2:54 > Danny is still firing away with hard punches.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 2 ....... Danny Lopez {10-9}

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Round 3 >

Danny gave 'little' Art Hafey a frightful battering. Danny had rocked Art no less than '7-Times' in
the Round, and was unrelenting in his attack.

Art tried to wing punches in from way outside, but he missed with his 'wild haymakers'.

Art took some heavy punishment. But he did 'tag' Danny with a solid 'right-left' at the {2:28 Mark}.
Hafey also caught Danny with a 'jarring' left-hook at the {2:51 Mark}, and a follow up left-hook
a moment later.

But just before the Bell ending the Round, Danny caught Art 'flush' with a 'vicious' counter right-hand
to the chin that 'wobbled' him and sent him reeling toward the back Ropes where he was in serious
trouble.

Danny added in a left-right', and a hard right-uppercut just before the Bell.

Round 3 ............ Danny Lopez {10-8}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 4 >

Was without a doubt, one of the most brutal Rounds ever fought in a Featherweight bout.

The early of part the Round saw Art Hafey {who had taken a brutal beating in Round 3} come out
blazing, and he took it to the bigger and taller Danny Lopez.

In the meantime, Danny was still pressing with a straight-punch attack.

But by the middle point in the session, Danny came back and 'nailed' Art with a tremendous right-hand
that sent him 'sidding sideways'. Danny then poured it on, and looked to possibly drop Art.

But the 'tough-and-gritty' Canadian came charging back at the {2:00 Mark}, and shook Danny with
several 'jarring' right-hands.

Just as it looked like Danny may fade, he rallied back at the {2:30 Mark} an put forth a hard-charge that
nearly dropped Art late in the Round.

Round 4 ........... Art Hafey {10-9}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 5 >

Both met at Center-Ring again, and traded punches in a slug-fest. It was 'even' for the first 30-Seconds,
but then Danny took control. Danny peppered Art with repeated left-jabs and solid right-hands to both
the face, head and body.

But despite getting pounded, Art stood his ground while looking for the right-hand bomb. Art did get
one in at the {1:21 Mark} that 'jarred' Danny. But Danny kept punching away and Art could not
capitalize.

Danny then 'slammed' in several solid right-hands from the {1:45 thru the 2:30 Mark} that 'rocked'
Art, and had him in some trouble.

Art was able to land a right-hand 'haymaker' at the {2:35 Mark} that shook Danny, and Art followed
with a brief late-rally.

But by the end of the Round, Danny was back in control and was sending in straight hard-punches that
drove Art 'back-on-his-heels' and reeling towards the back-left Corner.

Round 5 ............ Danny Lopez {10-9}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 6 >

0:04 > Both meet at Center-Ring.
0:06 > Danny goes to measuring left-jabs.
0:08 > Art scores with a 'jolting' left-hand to the chin.
0:14 > Danny catches Art with a 'jarring' right-uppercut to the chin.

0:16 > Art comes in with a left-hook.
0:17 > Danny steps in, and counters with a 'hard' straight right-hand to the face.
0:18 > Art 'wobbles' to the back-right Ring area.
0:21 > Danny moves in, and unloads with a 'barrage'.

0:30 > Art 'misses' with a wild left-hook.
0:33 > Danny counters with a 'stiff' left, and a hard right-hand.
0:35 > Danny adds in a straight right-hand.
0:41 > Art 'digs' in with a good left-hand to the body.

0:42 > Art comes back with a 'wild' 4-Punch flurry.
0:45 > Danny pokes Art in with left-jabs.
0:51 > Danny lands with a 'thudding' right-hand.
1:00 > Danny continues with hard right-hands.

1:09 > Art is trying to counter, but continues to miss with wide sweeping punches.
1:12 > Danny catches Art with a counter right-hand, and then a follow up right-uppercut to the chin.
1:13 > Art is 'stunned', but continues to fight back.
1:19 > Danny is still firing away, and lands a good right-hand to the body.

1:20 > Art is now stationary along the back Ring perimeter.
1:23 > Danny continues with measuring left-hands, while looking to fire a right-cross.
1:28 > Danny lands with a hard 'left-right'.
1:34 > Danny is now 'battering' Art.

1:43 > Art finally moves out to Center-Ring.
1:45 > Art just can't get within range to deliver a punch.
1:48 > Danny scores with a 'jarring' right-uppercut from the outside.
1:49 > Danny comes back with a left-hook.

1:50 > Art moves backwards to the back-right Ring area.
1:52 > Danny fires away with a hard '3-Punch' combination.
2:00 > Art finally lands a good punch, and catches Danny with a looping overhand-right to the head.
2:10 > Both trade punches at Center-Ring.

2:17 > Danny scores with '2' good right-uppercuts to the chin.
2:26 > Art tries to move forward.
2:27 > Danny lands a 'jarring' right-hand to the jaw, and Art is 'stunned'.
2:28 > Danny adds in with a left-hook to the head.

2:29 > Danny comes back with a 'vicious' right-cross to the jaw.
2:30 > Art falls 'face first' into the canvas.

2:31 > Danny Lopez stands over Art Hafey who was felled to the canvas.



2:34 > Art gets to a 'squatting position' at the '3-Count', and then rises as Referee - Dick Young moves in.
2:36 > Art walks to the back Ring area and 'stumbles' as he is still 'dazed.
2:38 > Art stumbles into the back Ring Ropes.
2:39 > Referee - Dick Young moves in to complete the 'Mandatory 8-Count'.

2:44 > The Referee asks Art Hafey if he is OK.
2:45 > Art says > "Yes, I'm OK".
2:46 > The Referee waves for the action to continue.
2:47 > Both fighters meet at Center-Ring.

2:48 > Art fires off first with a left-hook, but misses.
2:49 > Danny misses with a counter right-hand.
2:51 > Both trade hard left-hooks to the head, and both land.
2:53 > Art backs up the left-side Ropes.

2:55 > Danny moves in and is looking to unload.
2:58 > Danny sends in a light 'left-right' as Art covers up.
3:00 > 'Bell'

Round 6 ............ Danny Lopez {10-7}

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Art Hafey

Round 7 >

Both meet at Center-Ring and trade. Art gets of with a few left-jabs, and wings in
a big right-hand, but misses.

Danny who is upright, continues to send in stiff left-jabs, mixed in with a straight
right-hand to the face.



Arts moves in and slams '2' left-hooks to the body, but Danny counters with poking left-jabs
and a quick right-cross to the left-eye area.

Both trade, but Art is getting over-powered, as Danny is just too big. At the {0:30 Mark}
Danny scores with a good 'right-left', and then 'jars' Art with a short right-uppercut to the
chin.

Art tries to fight back, but Danny keeps coming with straight 'one-two' punches as both
slug-it-out at Center-Ring at the {0:40 Mark}.

Danny misses with a big right-hand lead, but catches Art with a 'jolting' left-hook to the
right-side of his head.

Art is rocked back-on-his-heels. Danny moves in, and fires with a 'right-left' and comes
in with '2' right-hands to the head that send Art back towards the left-side Ropes.

Referee - Dick Young moves in quickly and stops the bout at {0:56} of Round 7.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scorecards thru 6 Rounds >
* Referee - Dick Young .............. 59-54 > {Danny Lopez}
* Judge - Rudy Jordan ............... 58-53 > {Danny Lopez}
* Judge - Richard Steele ............ 59-54 > {Danny Lopez}

* Independent Press-Telegram ... 58-54 > Danny Lopez}
* Associated Press ..................... 58-53 > {Danny Lopez}

* Fight Announcer - Jim Healy .... 59-52 > {Danny Lopez}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Lopez TKO's Hafey, Earns Title Bout ~



~ After Bout Comments ~

Danny Lopez >
I figured it would take me about 4 Rounds to get Art out of there. But he was a lot tougher than I
thought. He took a lot of punches and a lot of punishment, and he kept trying. I tip my hat to him.

After I win the WBC Championship, I would give Art Hafey a title challenge in 1977, if he wants one.
He's still one of the Top 3 Featherweight's in the Division.

Art Hafey >
I guess I am pretty tough. He hit me with everything, and I was still standing at the end. Once my
left-eye got puffed up, I had a hard time seeing the right-hands coming in.

I will take the rest of the year off, and come back in 1977. I figure that after 2 or 3 wins, I'll be
right back in line for a Title Bout. 1977 will be by last year of fighting, and I would like to have
at least 'one' Title opportunity before I retire.

Referee - Dick Young >
Art Hafey was badly rocked and he stumbled away after taking '3' hard right-hands to the head.
He was in trouble, and I didn't want to see him get hurt anymore.

He couldn't see, as his left-eye was closed. I know that he wanted to continue, but I had to stop
it for his own sake. He's a tough kid, and I'm sure he was disappointed. But he was taking some
real hard punches.

[greynotsoold]

I know a guy that sparred with Lopez at the Main St gym. He said you could close your eyes and hit him with a right hand, but he would always hit you back. Right away and it would hurt. He said that if Lopez jabbed you to the chest, you had a sore chest for days. Where he hit you, with any punch, it hurt for days.

[Bill Paxtom]

I know a guy that sparred with Lopez at the Main St gym. He said you could close your eyes and hit him with a right hand, but he would always hit you back. Right away and it would hurt. He said that if Lopez jabbed you to the chest, you had a sore chest for days. Where he hit you, with any punch, it hurt for days.

Correct El Mundo

Danny Lopez was tall {5' 7 1/2}, but his upright-stance and 'always' forward moving style
made him a sucker for a looping right-hand.

Sparring-Partners >
* David Sotello
* Cookie Valencia

Said that they could 'never' miss Danny with a right-hand over the top. David Sotello
KO'd Danny with a single right-hand to the jaw in an early-October 1976 sparring-session.

But despite that, Danny took many of 'vicious' right-hands and never was Knocked Out
in a Pro fight.

Yes, he was floored and 'rocked' many times, but nobody ever flat-out KO'd him in the
Ring of a Professional Bout.

Danny had a 'great chin', as he took many hard-punches flush and still kept coming.

[beenKOed]

Great stuff, sir! Look forward to and appreciate your work!

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez in Accra. Ghana

According to Danny Lopez,

When he first arrived in Accra, Ghana on Sunday ~ October 17, 1976. He drank a lot of
Ice Water during the 1st-Day, to stay hydrated.

He immediately got a stomach pains {cramps}, and had intestinal issues for several days
thereafter.

Also Danny was promised First-Rate treatment, and was supposed to have accommodations
at a 3-Star Hotel.

Danny stated, that the Hotel was 'second-rate' at best.
"They put in this tiny room, and the Hotel was poorly maintained. The food was 'awful', and I got sick."

Luckily for Danny and his 'entourage' of 3, they were able to get food {Fresh Vegetables and Steak}
and 'Bottled Water' from the American Embassy that was located close by to the Hotel.

Danny Lopez >
"The American Embassy was never informed that I would be arriving. All of these arrangements were
supposed to be taken care of by the Ghanan Promoters and Boxing Officials. The Embassy Staff didn't
even know I was there."

For morning runs, Danny was lucky enough to have access to a Private Golf Course, also
located near the Hotel.

Danny stated, that the humidity in Ghana was incredible and the temperature levels reached
106* during the Mid-Day. Danny said the 1st-Day he did his run, he wore his sweats, and
lost 6 Pounds after a 7-Mile run.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally for Training Sessions >

Danny Lopez >

"They first set us up at this old Boxing Gym in a bad section of Accra It was poorly maintained,
and the Ring didn't even have Ropes. The Ghanan Military had removed them, because they needed
it for their Boxing Gym."

"We had to request access to another Gym, the same one that David Kotey was using. He had the
Gym from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. They didn't want to give us access to the Boxing Gym at all.
They told us to go somewhere else, but there was no other decent facility nearby."

"Then they told us that they would give us 1-Hour only, and late in the day at 5:00 PM. That was
not fair, and we had to get forceful. We threatened them with leaving the country and walking
out on the Championship Bout."

"Finally > Lt. Col. Simpe-Asante of the Ghanan Military made sure that we got 2 1/2 Hours at the Gym, for
later in the day after David Kotey was done.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both Danny and Champion - David Kotey ended up using the same Boxing Gym in Accra for their
sparring-sessions.

Their schedule's were set, where they both would 'not' cross paths.

Danny would have access to the Gym from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Danny was visited by some of
the American Peace Corps and United States Military when he worked out. Usually only 15 or so
Americans, and with another 200 curious Ghanan's and boxing representatives looking in.

Danny Lopez' Routine >
* 30-Minutes of Calisthenics
* 3-Rounds > Shadow Boxing
* 3-Rounds > Mitt-Sparring with Trainer - Teddy Bentham
* 4-Rounds > Sparring with David Sotello
* 1-Round > Shadow Boxing
* Speed Bag
* Heavy Bag
* Rope-Skipping


When David Kotey arrived {10:00 AM} he was protected by an entourage of 70 people, followed
by a flock of 2000 supporters who crowded into the Gym and surrounded the street entrance area.

[Bill Paxtom]

David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez

Saturday ~ October 30, 1976 ... Accra, Ghana

~ Press Conference ~

WBC Champion ............ David Kotey {Ghana}
vs.
#1 WBC Challenger ....... Danny Lopez {USA}

At the 'press conference' in front of 200 Press Corps. and African Sports Directors.

Included were representatives from :
* Spain
* Italy
* Great Britain
* Japan
* Mexico

During the Press Conference, Danny Lopez was asked if he thought that he could win.

Danny replied >
"I haven't changed my mind. I think that I can knock him out. And I will."

Challenger - Danny Lopez who had brought a 'Native Indian Head Dress' with him, offered
it as a gift to Champion - David Kotey.

David Kotey, when handed the 'Head Dress' took it and slammed it the floor and stomped
on it, to the amazement of Danny Lopez and his small entourage.

The Champion then went into a 'tirade', and stated that he was going to knockout the
American within 4 Rounds, and splatter him all across the canvas floor.

David Kotey >
"You can't beat me. You are afraid of me. I will Knock you out. I am going to kill you in the Ring.
You will never see your family again, so you better say your Good-Bye's this week."

Francis Clottley {Trainer for David Kotey} >
"He {Danny Lopez} is trying take something that we have worked long and hard for. We
will never let a foreigner come into our Country {Ghana} and take what is ours."

Lt. Col. Simpe-Asante {Director of Boxing for Ghana} >
"This all part of the sport. A confident Champion taking 'verbal action' against the worthy
and visiting Challenger. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt, and we will make sure of
that."

"Mr. Harry Gibbs will be the Referee in the Ring next Saturday. He is the most competent
Referee in the Sport of Boxing. So I am not worried about safety here."

Col. Kutu Acheampong {Director of Sports of Ghana} >
"We have 'sold out' the Sports Stadium, and are bringing additional seating for the Soccer Stadium's
infield. We have sold 60,000 Tickets so far, and we have another 20,000 seating requests."

"Requests are still coming in, and we will most likely go well over 100,000 in attendance by
Fight Night."

Teddy Bentham {Trainer for Danny Lopez} >
"What amazes me, is that they {David Kotey Camp} are so confident, yet they made us sign a
'guaranteed'' Rematch Clause. That tells me that they are very worried, and want some assurance
of a return bout with a 'big' pay day."

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 6, 1976

~ WBC Featherweight Championship ~

Accra Sports Stadium ~ Accra, Ghana

* WBC - David 'Poison' Kotey ~ 33-2-2 {20 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 126 lbs. ~ Reach; 69" ~ {Age; 25 years, 11 months}
vs.
#1 WBC - Danny 'Little Red' Lopez - 31-3-0 {30 KO's} ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ 126 lbs. ~ Reach; 70 1/2" ~ {Age; 24 years, 4 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Pre-Fight Skinny ~

The Betting-Odds dropped from {2-1} to {10-8} for the Champion - David Kotey.

The Bout was 'originally' scheduled for 8:00 PM. But there was an 'over-flow' of Ghanan's
rushing the Stadium, and the bout was pushed back 5-Hours.

At 'final-count', there were 122,000 in attendance inside the Accra Sports Stadium, with
an additional 60,000 outside the perimeter of the Stadium.

The Ghanan Military brought in 'large' portable PA Systems, to transmit the Audio to the
Ghanan people outside the stadium.

The bout did not get started until 1:00 AM.

The Temperature level was 106* during the day of the bout, and was 90* at 8:00 PM. By fight
time {1:00 AM}, the Temperature level only dropped a few degree's to 86*.

Humidity-Levels were above the 90% range, creating a 'steam-bath' type climate.

Danny Lopez only had '3' associates in his Camp.
* Trainer ................. Teddy Betham
* Cut-Man ............... Chickie Ferrara
* Sparring Partner .... David Sotello {who acted as an assistant corner-man}.

There were approximately '30' United States Military personnel who attended the bout,
along with a few people from the American Embassy. That is all that Danny Lopez had
for support.

There was no Live Broadcast Transmission of the bout. The bout was filmed by an
independent African-based production company, which was hired by the Ghanan
Government.

A Sports Production Company from Japan also 'filmed' the bout. They paid $14,000
for the rights.

'2' Boot-Leg tapes of the bout exist. One was filmed by a British Group {who used
a hand-held Cam-Recorder}, and the other by an Italy-based film company who
bribed Ghanan Officials with a $5000 pay-off.

A Radio Broadcast of the bout was to be transmitted by the BBC, as well as the
Ghanan Government controlled radio air-waves.

Also, the Associated Press was to provide a Round-by-Round wire service as well.

One-Hour before the bout {Midnight}, the Ghanan Military called for a 'communications
black-out', preventing any Radio Transmission or Wire Transmission of the bout.

The 'black-out' would last for 40-Hours {nearly 2-days} and was not lifted until
5:00 PM on Monday ~ November 8th.

[beenKOed]

Good stuff Bill! I can't wait for your next post even though I know what happened!