Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez

Coming out for Round 14, Danny Lopez was well ahead on points.

But with all the excitement, and early Rounds dominance by David Kotey, the Lopez Camp
were not sure where they stood on the Official's cards.

Trainer - Teddy Bentham told Danny to go out, and batter the Champion right away, as Kotey
looked 'ready-to-go' at the end of Round 13.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 14 >

As on cue, Danny came out and went right after the Champion. Danny thumped Kotey with
stiff left-jabs and 'jarring' right-hands to the head.

By the {0:30 Mark}, Kotey was back on the right-side Ropes trying to fend off the incoming punches.
The Champion tried to fight his way off the Ropes, but Danny continued with a steady-flow of
'one-two' {left-right} punches.

To get away, Kotey had to literally 'sprint' off the Ropes and to his right to avoid the steady
onslaught from the Challenger. The Champion got out to Center-Ring, and tried to punch back
at the {0:50 Mark}.

Kotey tried to slow down Danny down by 'ripping' away at the with what he had left, but his
punches had little behind them.

Danny then caught the Champion with a 'right-left-right' to the head, and Kotey 'wobbled', but
would not fall as he showed incredible courage.

Danny then moved in, as Kotey could not offer up a return. The Champion was now in 'complete'
survival-mode as he moved to the left-side Ropes at the {1:30 Mark}.

Danny simply stepped in and kept 'pumping-in' {left-right} punches as Kotey could only lay back
on the Ropes and absorb them.

'Twice', Referee - Harry Gibbs looked in and almost stopped the bout, but he let the one-sided affair
continue.

At the {2:20 Mark}, again the Bell sounded early, cutting the Round short by 40-Seconds.

A 'weary-and-battered' David Kotey walked back to his corner with his head hanging down.

There was 'near silence' from the 122,000 Ghanan's in the Accra Sports Stadium.

Round 14 ........ Danny Lopez {10-9}

[Bill Paxtom]

David Kotey vs. Danny Lopez

Coming out for Round 14, Danny Lopez was well ahead on points.

But with all the excitement, and early Rounds dominance by David Kotey, the Lopez Camp
were not sure where they stood on the Official's cards.

Trainer - Teddy Bentham told Danny to go out, and batter the Champion right away, as Kotey
looked 'ready-to-go' at the end of Round 13.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 14 >

As on cue, Danny came out and went right after the Champion. Danny thumped Kotey with
stiff left-jabs and 'jarring' right-hands to the head.

By the {0:30 Mark}, Kotey was back on the right-side Ropes trying to fend off the incoming punches.
The Champion tried to fight his way off the Ropes, but Danny continued with a steady-flow of
'one-two' {left-right} punches.

To get away, Kotey had to literally 'sprint' off the Ropes and to his right to avoid the steady
onslaught from the Challenger. The Champion got out to Center-Ring, and tried to punch back
at the {0:50 Mark}.

Kotey tried to slow down Danny down by 'ripping' away at the with what he had left, but his
punches had little behind them.

Danny then caught the Champion with a 'right-left-right' to the head, and Kotey 'wobbled', but
would not fall as he showed incredible courage.

Danny then moved in, as Kotey could not offer up a return. The Champion was now in 'complete'
survival-mode as he moved to the left-side Ropes at the {1:30 Mark}.

Danny simply stepped in and kept 'pumping-in' {left-right} punches as Kotey could only lay back
on the Ropes and absorb them.

'Twice', Referee - Harry Gibbs looked in and almost stopped the bout, but he let the one-sided affair
continue.

At the {2:20 Mark}, again the Bell sounded early, cutting the Round short by 40-Seconds.

A 'weary-and-battered' David Kotey walked back to his corner with his head hanging down.

There was 'near silence' from the 122,000 Ghanan's in the Accra Sports Stadium.

Round 14 ........ Danny Lopez {10-9}

Round 15 >

Both fighters met at Center-Ring, and touched gloves. The Champion looked battered, but was ready
for one last attack.

Immediately David Kotey tried to take catch Danny by surprise, and let go with a 'whistling' right-hook
to Danny's puffed-up 'right-eye' area.

Then the Champion then came in with a 'left-right' attack for the next 25-Seconds as Danny covered
up. Kotey then caught Danny with a 'looping' right-hand to the jaw that made him back up at the
{0:32 Mark}..

The Accra Sports Stadium 'roared' for a moment, thinking that maybe their Hero had 'rattled' the
American.

But the Champion's charge was short, and by the {0:40 Mark} he was not pressing, as Danny started
to move forward.



Danny then started to fire back, and landed a good 'left-right' that had the Champion 'rocking-back' on
his heels. Danny then added in a 'jolting' right-cross to the head that shook up the Champion at the
[1:00 Mark}.

Danny then took control, and had Kotey backing way away in fast-gear. It was all Danny now, as he
dominated and raked over the Champion with both lefts-and-rights.

The Champion showed tremendous courage, as he was now battered to the Ropes, where he took another
'pasting' while getting pinned there.

Again the Bell sounded early at the {2:30 Mark}, 30-Seconds before the end of the Round.

The Championship Bout was over.

Round 15 ........ Danny Lopez {10-9}

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Danny Lopez Wins ~

As soon as the 15th Round was over, Referee - Harry Gibbs walked over and raised Danny's hand.

The British Gentleman Referee did not even wait for the Scorecards to be read, as he knew that
the American Challenger was far ahead on Points.

To wait for the Official Scorecards, would have been a mere formality anyway.

There were 'no' cheers inside the Accra Sports Stadium, as the 122,000 Ghanan supporters sat in
'stunned' silence, as their National Hero had been thoroughly beaten and battered.

Only a smattering of light applause was heard after the bout.

Directly behind Danny Lopez' corner, their were '5' United States Marines who were clapping and
waving small American Flags, as the 'new' Champion - Danny Lopez walked around the Ring
with the WBC Championship Belt.

There was no big celebration from Danny Lopez and his Team of '3', as the group acted like Professionals
and were humble in their victory.

The fallen Champion - David Kotey and his Group congratulated Danny on his victory, and praised
Danny in his fine performance.



~ 'Little Red' Captures Feather Title ~

~ Danny Lopez Wins 'Secret' Featherweight Title In Ghana ~

[greynotsoold]

I remember reading in the boxing magazines- I should point out that at that time I had a dozen Little Red posters on my wall- that they kept cutting the rounds short to save Kotey. Kotey's brother was a good fighter, too.

[Bill Paxtom]

I remember reading in the boxing magazines- I should point out that at that time I had a dozen Little Red posters on my wall- that they kept cutting the rounds short to save Kotey. Kotey's brother was a good fighter, too.

That is 100% correct sir.

Round 11 ..... 2:30
Round 12 ..... 2:25
Round 13 ..... 2:10
Round 14 ..... 2:20
Round 15 ..... 2:30

According to Trainer - Teddy Bentham >

We knew that they we're playing 'shenanigans' with the Time Clock. But, who we're we
going to complain to, the Ghanan Boxing Officials. That would have been futile.

They were part of the Ghana Military who were running the event.

And the '3' WBC Representatives were from Africa. They were supposed to be watching
{over-seeing} everything, to keep it on the 'up-and-up'.

The only thing we knew, was that we we're going to get a 'relatively' fair decision if the
bout went to the Scorecards, because we had '3' Neutral Officials.

[beenKOed]

Man! I used to think I was a boxing fan, now I'm finding out not so much. Thanks again for fleshing out these great boxing stories and the time and effort you put into them. That thanks is straight from the heart, sir.

[Bill Paxtom]

Man! I used to think I was a boxing fan, now I'm finding out not so much. Thanks again for fleshing out these great boxing stories and the time and effort you put into them. That thanks is straight from the heart, sir.

Danny Lopez in Accra, Ghana

Monday, November 8, 1976

After his 1-day stay in the Accra Hospital, Danny was released Monday Afternoon, and went back
to the Hotel.

He stayed inside his small room with his entourage of '3'. Danny, a Mormon prayed and stayed
pretty much quiet. There was no celebrating in Accra, Ghana.

On Monday Night there was a Press Conference at the Ghana Sports Headquarters in downtown Accra,
which Danny and Team {group} of 3 attended.

There, a 'bruised' Danny was asked if he would give David Kotey a rematch. The 'new' Champion said
'Yes', and that there was a 'rematch clause' in the contract that he would honor.

Danny said that he was treated nicely by the Ghanan people, and would welcome a return to Accra, Ghana
early next year {1977} after he rested, which he expected would be at least 2-to-3 Months.

Danny also added, that the bout with David Kotey was 'by far' the most brutal of his career, and he
acknowledged that 'DK Poison' was the most courageous fighter he has ever seen.

Press Conference

Danny Lopez >
"I hit your fighter with everything I had, and he still kept fighting back. He is the strongest fighter that I
have ever fought. He has tremendous will and courage. I know that he will be ready for our next bout.
He will want to take his Title back.

Lt. Col. Simpe-Asante {Ghana Boxing Director} >
"We want to have the rematch here in Accra. Our fighter {David Kotey} will want to reclaim the Title here
in front of his countrymen. We are prepared to have the 'new' Champion {Danny Lopez} sign the fight contract
right now, as I have a 'certified' Government check for $80,000 right here in my briefcase."

Francis Clottley {Trainer for David Kotey} >
"It was a great fight, and the Boxing Event was a major success. We will see Danny Lopez again next year,
and I'm sure it will be another great battle between '2' warriors."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Champion - David Kotey

Was still in the Accra Hospital recovering from >
* Dehydration
* Exhaustion
* Badly bruised face
* Swollen Eyes
* Cuts over both eyes .................. {20 Stitches}
* Split on the bridge of his nose ... {1 Stitch}
* Split lower-lip ........................... {17 Stitches}
* Cuts inside his mouth

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 13, 1976

'Little Red' Tells Of 'Secret' Featherweight Title In Ghana ~