Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[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 ~

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 13, 1976

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

The bout was supposed to start on Saturday Night {November 6th} at 8:00 PM, but the fight
was pushed back to 1:00 AM early Sunday Morning de to an overflow crowd of 122,000 at the
Accra Sports Stadium.

The 'communications black-out' was put in place at 11:00 PM Saturday Night, before the bout
got started. It was not lifted until 40-Hours later, on Monday, November 8th at 3:00 PM.

After the bout, Danny was taken to the Accra Hospital at 3:00 AM to get his cut stitched up,
and for a minimum 24-Hour observation.

Danny was in the Hospital all of Sunday, and was released late-morning on Monday {November 8th}
at 11:00 AM.

Danny then went back to the Hotel, to rest and to try to get in touch with his Family and Manager -
Howie Steindler back in the United States.

Danny could not get through after several of hours of trying. Finally, Danny and his 'entourage of 3'
headed over to the American Embassy, so that they could help him get a Telephone Call or 'wire'
out. They too had trouble.

Finally around 5:00 PM, they were able to get though to the Ghanan Consolate at the United Nations,
who then contacted Danny Lopez' Manager {Howie Steindler} back in Los Angeles with the 'news'.

Danny and his Group then went over to the Ghanan Sports Headquarters, where there was a Press
Conference scheduled for 7:00 PM

Soon therafter the Group headed back to the Hotel where they stayed, and rested Monday Night.

On Tuesday at 'Noon' {November 9th}, Danny Lopez, Trainer - Teddy Bentham, Cut-Man - Chickie Ferrera
and Sparring-Partner - David Sotello boarded their flight for a 24-Hour Trip back to Los Angles, California.

They arrived back in the United States on Wednesday, November 10th > just as the Newspapers were
printing the results of the bout held on late Saturday Night {4-Days earlier}.

[Bill Paxtom]

November 23, 1976

Howie Steindler {Manager for Danny Lopez}

We did sign a 'rematch clause' with David Kotey. We had to, to get the Championship Bout
in the first place.

They have 90-Days to come up with an acceptable contract. I know they offered Danny an
$80,000 Check at the 'after-fight' Press Conference.

But, I'm not 100% sure if we would go back to Accra, Ghana. We can have the bout right
here at The Forum for the same fight purse.

We also have been talking to the Italian - Elio Cotena. He's the European Champion, and
he has moved into the #1 WBC position now. He has 'one more' Title Defense lined for
December 3rd. If he wins, we may make our 1st Title Defense against him, early next year.

We'll see what happens with David Kotey. But he was so battered and beat up on November 6th,
I don't think he'd be ready for a fight in February 1977.

And Danny has some problems with his right-hand. We're not sure if it is a bad bone bruise, or
bone-chips. We have been told by our Physician to rest it for 5-Weeks, and then we'll have
it re-examined at the end of December.

After the examination, we will make a decision on which bout to go with.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 23, 1977

~ Howie Steindler Has A World Champion At Last ~

According to reports >

The rematch with former Champion - David Kotey was in the works. But, the Kotey Camp had to get
the contracts together by February 6, 1977 {90-days after their 1st bout}.

The Ghanan Promoters had put $80,000 on the table to Manager - Howie Steindler. But Howie wanted
a few more bucks and {some assurances}, otherwise he would take Danny's '1st-Title' defense to Don Fraser
and The Forum.

The other issue, was that David Kotey was still not ready for a bout, as he was still recovering from the
beating he took on November 6, 1976 {2 1/2 Months earlier}.

Howie said, that if they could not work out negotiations, they would look elsewhere. This really got
the Ghanan Promoters 'pissed off'.



WBC Ratings

*** Danny Lopez
#1 . David Kotey
#2 . Pedro Nino Jiminez .............. European Champion {from Spain}
#3 . Rafael Ortega ...................... WBA Champion {from Panama}
#4 . Art Hafey ............................ Canadian Champion
#5 . Francisco Toro Coronado ...... Central American and Nicaraguan Champion
#6 . Ernesto Herrera .................... #1 Mexican and #1 NABF Featherweight
#7 . Jose Torres .......................... #2 Mexican and #2 NABF Featherweight
#8 . Shuzo Yoshida ..................... Japanese Champion
#9 . Elio Cotena .......................... Italian Champion
#10. Vernon Sollas ....................... British Champion
#11. Alfredo Pitalua
#12. Salvador Torres .................. Mexican Featherweight Champion