Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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.
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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.
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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.
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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}
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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}
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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}
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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.
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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.

[Bill Paxtom]

August 8, 1976

Early Controversy On the Site for the David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez - WBC Championship Bout

Don Fraser {Fight Promoter for The Forum} >
We have offered a Fight Purse 'bid' of $120,000 for the WBC Championship Bout set for late-October.

We have offered the Champion - David Kotey $85,000 > which would be the largest Fight Purse that
he has ever received. We have also included, an additional $5000 in Trainiing Expenses, and full
expenses for '6' of Champion's associates.

Howie Steindler {Manager for Danny Lopez} >
The Ghana Boxing Promoters have offended us by only offering Danny $25,000. That is no offer,
and that means that they don't want their fighter to defend against Danny.

Look, I still thought that David Kotey didn't beat Ruben Olivares in the first place. It was a 'lucky'
Decision. It was close, but Kotey didn't win.

Danny is the Box Office draw here in Los Angeles. We could draw a gate of $200,000 > and Kotey
could gain a $100,000 Fight Purse. He should defend his Title here in California as that is where
he won the WBC Championship.

If they are worried about getting a Fair Decision here, all they have to do is look at his winning bout
against Ruben Olivares. That should answer all their questions.

Look, I don't want to cause an International incident, but Danny is not going to Ghana. No way, and
no how. And not for no $25,000 measly fight purse for a Championship Bout.

Ghana Boxing Commission >
The Champion {David Kotey} will only make the Title Defense against Danny Lopez in Ghana.

We have put up a Fight Purse 'bid' of $150,000 . The Champion will receive $125,000 > and the
Challenger will receive $25,000. That is where we are right now.

We understand that the Manager for Danny Lopez {Howie Steindler} has rejected the 'bid'. So, we
will make the offer to the next ranked WBC contender.

Lt. Col. Simpe-Asante {Ghanan Director of Sports} >
We will have the bout in Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium, that I will guarantee you. We will work
out the details, as we are still negotiating the Film Rights with the film distribution company.

[Bill Paxtom]

October 4, 1976

~ Champion - David Kotey and Challenger - Danny Lopez Sign ~

The early line has the WBC Champion - David Kotey as a {2-1} Betting-Favorite, as the
bout is scheduled for Saturday Night ~ November 6, 1976 and in Accra, Ghana.



Benny Giorgino {Los Angeles Odds-Maker} >
It is simple. The bout is held in Ghana, and the Champion will be the Betting-Favorite
at {2-1} to win, most likely by a 15-Round Decision.

If the bout were held in here in California, then Danny Lopez would be the Betting-Favorite
the same way at {2-1}.

[Bill Paxtom]

WBC Featherweight Championship

~ The African Skinny ~

As announced on October 6, 1976 >

The bout is to be held in Accra, Ghana on Saturday Night - November 6, 1976.

The Champion - David Kotey will receive a Fight Purse of $150,000.

The Challenger - Danny Lopez will receive a Fight Purse of $50,000.

The venue will be held at the Accra Sports Stadium, an 80,000 seat Soccer Stadium.

An additional 'temporary seating' assembly will be set up on the infield. A minimum of
25,000 seats will be added.

According to early Ticket Purchases, there could be an additional 'temporary seating' assembly
for 20,000 set along the outer perimeter of the Soccer Field.