Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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.