Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Fun Filled Fact ~

Back in early October 1976, Danny Lopez started his early training-camp at the
Main Street Gym in Los Angeles.

Danny had sparring-partners >
* David Sotello
* Modesto Conception
* Ramon Contreras

In one session with David Sotello, Danny was 'Knocked Out' cold from an overhand-right
to the jaw.

On October 17, 1976 > Danny travelled to Accra Ghana with only '3' associates.
* Trainer ~ Teddy Bentham
* Cut-Man ~ Chickie Ferrara
* Sparring-Partner ~ David Sotello

[Bill Paxtom]

David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez

~ Pre-Fight Skinny ~

Danny Lopez arrived in Accra, Ghana on Sunday ~ October 17th. That would give Danny
nearly 3-Weeks to get acclimated to the heat and high-humidity in Central Africa.

Danny only brought along David Sotello as his sparring-partner.

David Sotello had been to Accra, Ghana before, when he fought David Kotey in a 10-Round
'non-title' bout back on December 21, 1975. In that bout, David Sotello gave David Kotey
all he could handle, and then some, in losing a close and debatable 10-Round Decision.
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The Champion - David Kotey has '2' sparring-partners.

* Sunny Robertson > A {22 year-old} Lightweight from Ghana. {Height; 5' 9"} ~ Record; 21-2-0 {10 KO's}
* Aziza Bossou > A {21 year-old} Lightweight from Togo. {Height; 5' 9"} ~ Record; 22-0-0 {15 KO's}

The Champion, with a muscular physique, was a fast working boxer-puncher. And for sparring,
he worked with '2' tall Lightweights. As both resembled the size and upright-style of Danny Lopez.

The Champion would spar 6-Rounds per Day {3 with each sparring-partner}. And then, perform
a 'dozen' 300 Yard Sprints over a 30-Minute period.

He would then finish up with 1-Hour of calisthenics, which included;
* Rope-Skipping
* Jumping Jacks
* Long Jump Lunges
* Squat Thrusts
* Sit-Ups

The Champion was a marvel in physical conditioning.

[Bill Paxtom]

October 26, 1976

The Daily Herald ~ Provo, Utah

~ Danny Lopez 'Jakes' Africa Bout ~



Orem Utah native - Danny 'Little Red' Lopez is off to Accra, Ghana. The 24 year-old former Utah boxer
is now based in Alhambra, California > has been nicknamed 'The Alhambra Belter'.

Danny has earned the right to challenge David Kotey for his Championship, as back on August 6th Danny looked
like a 'World Beater' when he stopped the #1 Challenger - Art Hafey by a TKO 7 at The Forum in Inglewood,
California in a WBC Elimination bout.

Danny now has a record of 31-3-0 with {30 KO's}, and that includes '7-Straight' Knockouts since April 1975.

'Little Red' embarked on a 24-Hour Flight from Los Angles to London, United Kingdom and then into
Accra, Ghana.

The Ghanan Boxing Promoters gave Danny Lopez and his {entourage of 3} First Class travel passes, and promised
Manager - Howie Steindler that 'Little Red' would receive 'First Class' treatment in Ghana, and with accommodations
set up at a 3-Star Hotel in Accra.
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Howie Steindler >
I didn't want Danny to go to Ghana. But, they upped the Fight Purse to $50,000 > and assured me that Danny would
get 'First Class' treatment from the Ghanan Promoters and Ghanan Officials.

Due to my health condition, my Doctor will not permit me to travel. But I have 100% faith in Trainer - Teddy Bentham
and Chickie Ferrara in taking care of Danny, and making sure he gets a 'fair shake' in Ghana.

I have been in touch with our Embassy there, as well as a Military Base. They assured me that they will provide
Danny and the Group with any support that they require.

We have 'demanded' that the Referee and '2' Scoring Officials be from a 'Neutral Country'. Since we couldn't agree
on a 'Neutral Site', I demanded that at least the Officials be from a 'Neutral Region'. They at least agreed to that.

Also, we had to agree to give David Kotey a 'rematch' within 90-Days if we win by Decision. If Danny scores a
Knockout, then the 'rematch-clause' is thrown out.
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Bennie Giorgino {Los Angeles Boxing Odds-Maker} >
Look, the home-town edge is big here. I have listed David Kotey as a {2-1} Betting-Favorite. If he boxes and
moves, he can easily steal a Close Decision.

I'm not sure that Danny Lopez can get a Fair Decision in Ghana. He could easliy get 'homered' unless he wins
every Round not just convincingly, but big. I've seen some strange Decisions over in Africa.
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Gene Fullmer {Former World Milddleweight Champion, and Utah resident} >
I was promised all sorts of 'First Class' treatment when I travelled to Africa {Nigeria} in 1963 to challenge
Middleweight Champion - Dick Tiger.

Well, right away I got an 'Intestinal Ailment'. For the whole time there, I was sick, dehyrdated and weak.
I was only at about 30% of my strength, and I walked into the Ring with nothing. That place over there
was 'filthy', and the conditions of the facility really affected me.
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Stan Chynoweth {Former Amater Boxing Trainer of Danny Lopez} >
I was going to travel to Ghana with Danny, but I have changed my mind. He may have a real difficult time
there.

I'm not going, and I feel bad becase I wanted to support Danny. There are some things going on over there
in Ghana with the Military and Political factions. I want to go, but I made a personal decision not to.

It's going to be real tough for Danny to get a Fair Decision in Accra, Ghana. He's going to have win at least
10-Rounds, as well as score a couple of 'knockdowns'. And, God forbid if he scores a Knockkout. The Africans
may not let him get out of Ghana.
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Los Angeles Boxing Experts >
Danny should not expect the finest treatment when he arrives in Accra, Ghana > no matter what the Ghanan
Boxing Promoters promise.

He will not have an easy time. Remember, he's fighting the National Hero. They will do everything that they can
to make his stay there a difficult one.
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Daniel Kotey {Manager and Brother of David Kotey} >
We will make sure that all accommodations for the American - Danny Lopez are proper, and of the finest that
we can offer to a guest.

We have set up a 3-Star Hotel for Danny Lopez and his Team. We will also provide access to the best Boxing
Gym in Accra for his use. He will have access to any facility that he needs.

Despite rumors, we are not in the Jungle here. If Danny Lopez needs American support, there is the American
Embassy, a United States Military Base and a Peace Corps Headquarters here.