Danny 'Little Red' Lopez ~ Career

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ April 11, 1978

~ Danny Lopez Signs To Defend Title ~

WBC Featherweight Champion - Danny Lopez will defend his Championship on Sunday
April 23rd at the Olympic Auditorium against #5 WBC-ranked Eduardo Prieto of Chile.

Danny Lopez >

I know a little about my opponent. He's as tall as me, and is a very good boxer. He doesn't
look like he punches that hard. I have some fight films from Chile, and he looks to be very
quick with his punches, but he's not a big hitter.

I would say that he's more of a stylish-boxer, with good footwork. I'm not sure about his
power, but he has a good left-jab and a sharp right-hand. I'll be patient early, to feel him
out. Then I'll press him in Rounds 3 and 4, to see what he's got. Then I'll make adjustments.
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Eduardo Prieto >

I know that the Champion {Danny Lopez} is a tremendous puncher. I will have to be careful
with him. He hits very hard, especially early in the bout.

My style is to box and move, and wait to counter. I will not trade with him. I'll just circle and
jab, and that wait to pick my punches. I'll catch him sometime in the bout with my right-hand.

I don't think he can out-box me over 15-Rounds. He starts to slow down after 5 or 6 Rounds.
He still punches hard, but his punches come in slow. And, he is easy to hit, as he has no
defense at all.

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Friday ~ April 14, 1978

~ New Challenger For Danny Lopez ~

Eduardo Prieto, the #5 WBC-ranked Challenger from Chile has pulled out his scheduled bout
{April 23rd} with WBC Featherweight Champion - Danny Lopez.

The unbeaten boxer has come down with a 'bad flu', and he had to cancel his scheduled trip
from Chile to Los Angeles for later today {Friday, April 14th}.

The Challenger's Manager has stated, that his fighter had trained for 3-Weeks, and was in
excellent condition as of Wednesday Morning. But Eduardo came down with a 'bad flu' on
Thursday, and his temperature was high, and he was also experiencing severe chills.

The boxer's Physician has prevented Eduardo from travelling, and has ordered him for
'bed rest' for the next 5-Days.

A replacement Challenger from South American will be announced later today.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ April 13, 1978

Jose De Paula To Fill In As Replacement Challenger For 'Little Red' Lopez ~

~ Jose DePaula A Hopeful Contender On Short Notice ~

Brazilian - Jose DePaula will fill-in as a replacement for {ill with the flu} Eduardo Prieto for
next Sunday's {April 23rd} WBC Featherweight Championship.

Jose DePaula, is the #9 WBC-ranked Featherweight. The 29 year-old Brazilian has an
impressive record of 36-2-2 {12 KO's}.

DePaula is the Brazilian Featherweight Champion, as is ranked as the #2 South American in
the Division.

DePaula is a 'smart-and-cagey' boxer/mover, and is an experienced 9-Year Professional, who
has never been stopped or floored in his '44-Bout' career.

Jose DePaula >

I had been training for 4-Weeks, as I was supposed to challenge for the 'vacant' South American
Featherweight Title in the 1st-Week of May.

I got the call on Friday, and we accepted. I'm in shape, and I will surprise the American. The
short-notice will not bother me. I am in good shape physically, and I'm ready to go 15-Rounds.

I know what to do against the Champion {Danny Lopez}. It is very simple, I will just box him
with my left-jab and frustrate him. Then I'll cut him up with my 'slicing' left-hook.

I'll stop him late in the bout on cuts.

Danny Lopez >

He has to be very good. There a lot of World Champions from South America. I have seen
only 'one' Film Clip of him, and he looks to be a smart boxer. Lots of jabs and defense. He
looks like he has a pretty quick left-hook too.

No matter, I will pressure him and knock him out.



http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...04317490,d.cWw

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ April 23, 1978

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Promoter ...... Aileen Eaton
Television ..... NBC 'Sportsworld'

WBC Featherweight Championship
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* WBC - Danny Lopez - 36-3-0 {34 KO's} ~ 126 lbs. ~ 5' 8" ~ Reach; 70 1/2" ~ {Age; 25 years, 9 months}
vs.
#9 WBC - Jose DePaula - 36-2-2 {12 KO's} ~ 125 1/2 lbs. ~ 5' 6" ~ Reach; 68" ~ {Age; 29 years, 11 months}

Danny Lopez has been listed as a 'heavy' {5-1} Betting-Favorite.

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ April 23, 1978

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Danny Lopez Retains WBC Featherweight Title ~

~ Lopez Scores TKO 6 Over Brazilian Challenger ~

Danny Lopez retained his WBC Featherweight Title for the '3rd' time by over-whelming #9 WBC Challenger
Jose DePaula by TKO at {1:30} of Round 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1 >
The Challenger -- Jose Depaula {a 10-Day substitute} did very well in the 1st-Round, as he smartly boxed,
and landed numerous left-jabs and left-hooks into the pressing Champion's head. DePaula also whipped in an
occasional looping right-hand to the head, as Danny was upright while moving in.

The 'stylish-boxer' from Brazil circled to his left as Danny pressed forward. DePaula kept pumping in left-hands
and quick left-hooks into the face of the Champion to take the 1st-Round.

Round 2 >
Again, DePaula opened up by smartly boxing-and-circling as Danny tried to press-forward. The in a 'flash at the
{0:25} both fighters got into a slug-fest.

Surprisingly the 'light-hitting' Challenger stunned Danny with a 'jarring 'left-right' to the chin, and then continued
to score with 'sharp-punches'. Danny was pressing, but he was getting out-worked by the smart boxing and quick
hitting Brazilian.

Jose DePaula was keeping the fight at Center-Ring, and by the {2:10 Mark} he was having a solid Round.

Then as both fighters moved in close, Danny sent a hard measuring left-hand, and came over the top with a straight
right-hand to the jaw at the {2:19 Mark}. Jose Depaula was 'hurt'.

To prevent from going down, DePaula moved in to grab Danny. By the {2:29 Mark} he had grabbed the Champion's
waist. Danny continued to look for another opening. Then at the {2:41 Mark}, Danny blasted another right-hand
to the Challenger's jaw.

DePaula then went 'stiff-legged'. Danny poured it over the last 15-Seconds, but the veteran Brazilian held on until
the Bell.

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Jose DePaula

Round 3 >
Surprisingly, Jose DePaula came out quickly, and took the lead. Both fighters got into a 'heated'
exchange at Center-Ring, and the Brazilian got the better of the two.

DePaula caught Danny with a 'jolting' right-hand to the chin at the {0:28 Mark}, and drove
Danny backwards to the front-left Corner with a barrage of punches to the face.

DePaula added in a 'big' right-hand to the jaw at the {0:38 Mark}. Over the next-minute, the
Challenger took it to the Champion, and was in total command up thru the {1:30 Mark}.

But Danny moved out to Center-Ring, and started to get the range. Danny caught the
aggressive Challenger with a solid right to the face, and DePaul was now sporting a cut under
his right-eye at the {1:43 Mark}.

But DePaula came back with a 'tremendous' right-hand to the Champion's jaw at the {1:47 Mark}.

But Danny kept pumping in solid 'one-two' punches to the head, and he 'stunned' DePaula again
at the {2:04 Mark}.

But the Challenger came back again, and landed another good right-hand to the head of Danny
at the {2:12 Mark}.

The Challenger then tried to move in close, to take advantage, but Danny recovered and punched
back. He then caught DePaula with a jarring 'left-right' to the head at the {2:38 Mark}, and then
added in with a solid right-uppercut to the jaw that had the Brazilian 'groggy'.

Jose DePaula was 'reeling', but he stayed on his feet and was punching back at the Bell.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 4 >
Both fighters met at Center-Ring, and started to trade. The Challenger was able to get off with a
few good combinations, while doing good job of boxing-and-moving.

Danny continued to press over the first 30-Seconds.

DePaula scored with a good 'right-left' to the head at the {0:32 Mark}. Danny was able to counter
with a 'hard' right-hand to the head at the {0:40 Mark}.

DePaula did a good job of boxing, while mixing in with sharp-punches thru the {1:05 Mark}. Both
fighters got into a good exchange at the {1:11 Mark} while at Center-Ring.

The Challenger was not afraid to trade with the hard-hitting Champion. Danny moved in close, and
scored with a hard '4-Punch' combination to the Challenger's body at the {1:25 Mark}.

But DePaula came back with a 'hard' right-hand counter to the head. Danny pressed back and fired,
but he was missing with his punches, as the Brazilian did a great job of moving and slipping the
punches for the next 30-Seconds.

Danny caught DePaula with a 'grazing' right-hand to the head at the {2:05 Mark}. But DePaula moved
forward, and scored with a crisp 'left-right' counter at the {2:07 Mark}. The Challenger then added
a grazing right-hand to Danny's chin at the {2:17 Mark}.

Danny then 'stepped-it-up' at the {2:25 Mark}, and raked over the Challenger with a 'series-of-punches'
for the next 20-Seconds.

But DePaula weathered the 'brief storm', and held his own over the last 10-Seconds of Round 4.

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Jose DePaula

After 4-Rounds, the bout was very close.

Round 5 >

'A Great Round'

Jose Depaula came out fast, and boxed well as he moved and jabbed over the first 20-Seconds.
Depaula then scored with a 'big' right-hand to Danny's jaw at the {0:22 Mark}.

Both fighters were at Center-Ring, and traded at the {0:37 Mark}. Danny scored with a hard
'right-left' to the body at the {0:40 Mark}.

But DePaula returned back with a fast 'left-right' to the face at the {0:51 Mark}. Both fighters
then traded good punches at Center-Ring at the {1:03 Mark}.

The Challenger then switched to 'southpaw' at the {1:14 Mark}, and then went to boxing from
the outside by flicking in right-jabs as he circled. At the {1:31 Mark} the Challenger went back
to the 'orthodox stance'

DePaula landed a 'jarring' left-hook to Danny's head at the {1:33 Mark}.

The Champion stepped in and countered with a 'solid' right-hand to the head at the {1:36 Mark}.
The Challenger appeared to be wearing down some, as Danny was pressing hard.

Both fighters traded good blows at the {1:48 Mark}. DePaula was now getting a 'little wild'
with his punches at the {2:00 Mark}.

Danny continued to press hard with inside blows, and by the {2:05 Mark} DePaula was hanging
on.

At the {2:07 Mark}, Danny landed a very hard 'left-right-left' to the head.

But the Challenger fought back hard at the {2:12 Mark} and forced Danny to back up into the
left-side Ropes as he flung in a series of head punches.

At the {2:20 Mark} Danny was fighting back, and DePaula backed out to Center-Ring, and then
he started backing away.

Danny continued to press hard, and landed a 'hard' right-hand to the head at the {2:36 Mark}.
The Challenger then moved to the back-right Ring area, and looked 'shaken'.

Danny stepped in, and landed with another 'hard' 2-Punch combination to the head which sent
DePaula backing away to the front-center Ring area at the {2:40 Mark}.

The Challenger then tried to back away to the left-side Ring area, but Danny caught him with a
'grazing' right-hand the head, and then with a 'jolting' left-hook the chin at the {2:45 Mark}.

Danny then caught the back-pedaling Challenger with a left-hand and short right-uppercut
to the chin at the {2:48 Mark}.

DePaula was 'stunned' as he backed up to the back-left Ring area. Danny moved in quickly.
The Champion then fired in with a 'left-right-left' to the head at the {2:51 Mark}.

Jose DePaula bends low to try and avoid the 'barrage'.

Danny then caught the Challenger with a 'jarring' right-uppercut to the chin at the {2:53 Mark}.

Danny added in with a straight 'right-hand' to the chin, and a hard 'straight-left' to the head, and
the Challenger went 'down' on the seat of his pants at the {2:55 Mark}.

Jose DePaula was up at the '2-Count' as Referee - Dick Young gave the 'Mandatory-Count' as
the Bell rang ending the Round.

[Bill Paxtom]

Danny Lopez vs. Jose DePaula

Round 6 >

Jose DePaula was coming with a 'slice' on his right cheek, a badly swollen right-cheek, and wobbly legs.

The Challenger cam out to Center-Ring, and immediately started to circle to his left 180* to the right-side
Ring area.

Danny pressed forward, and stated to deliver 'heavy' one-two punches. By the {0:12 Mark}, the Brazilian
Challenger was dancing on 'shaky pins'.

Danny moved in and unloaded with a hard 'left-right-left' to the head at the {0:15 Mark}.

DePaula scored with a 'looping' right at the {0:19 Mark}, but the punch had no power behind it. DePaula
bobbed-and-weaved as Danny tried with 'left-right' punches, but missed.

But Danny caught DePaula with a hard 'left-right' to the head at the {0:28 Mark}, DePaula then moved
to the back-left Corner, and went back to bobbing-and-weaving as the Champion came charging in.

DePaula danced away at the {0:39 Mark}, but his legs were 'wobbly'. DePaula then circled to his left
180*, and moved to the front-center Ropes.

Danny moved in stalking, as he looked to unload his heavy-punches. Danny then scored with a 'jolting'
left-right to the head, and a follow-up right-hook.

DePaula reeled backwards into the front-right Corner at the {0:48 Mark}. The Champion moved in, and
unloaded with a solid '5-Punch' flurry.

Danny then caught the 'fading' Challenger with a big right-hand to the head at the {0:55 Mark}.

DePaula then grabbed the Champion by the wait to hold on. The Challenger then spun out 180* and
backed out to Center-Ring at the {1:00 Mark}.

Danny then caught the Challenger with a 'wicked' left-hook to the jaw at the {1:03 Mark}, and DePaula's
knee's buckled.

DePaula then back-tracked fast, as the Champion put heavy-pressure on him for the next 20-Seconds.
The Champion then drove the Challenger to the back Ropes at the {1:24 Mark}.

There, Danny fired in a hard '6-Punch' barrage to the head, and DePaula was in 'bad shape'.

Danny added in a 'vicious' right-uppercut to the chin, and DePaula's head snapped back. Danny followed
up with another right-uppercut to the jaw at the {1:29 Mark}.

Just then, Joe DePaula's corner 'threw-in-the-towel' as Referee - Dick Young moved in and called the
bout over at the {1:30 Mark} of Round 6.