It's About Time – Danny "Little Red" Lopez – Induction into IBHF


David Martinez and Danny Lopez
By David Martinez / Boxing Historian
 
I am simply delighted to report that one of the most colorful fighters I have ever witnessed in the boxing “squared circle”, Danny Lopez, is finally being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June.
 
Living in the Southern California area, I had the pleasure of attending many of Danny’s fights in
Los Angeles and got to know Danny personally… he is one of the finest human beings I have met in or out of the ring.
 
I have spoken to quite a few fans who have attended the many boxing events that Danny frequents, and they tell me that he always signs autographs and poses for pictures with anyone who is willing.  This is a treasure for them from one of their favorites in boxing, and Danny is certainly a fans’ favorite
 
I was ringside at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, May 24, 1974, when Danny lost his first fight to
Bobby Chacon by a 9th round knockout. That was a very special night because I met Bryant Gumble, who at that time was working for KNBC channel 4 and reporting the fight for the local TV news.
 
After the Chacon loss, Danny ran off some impressive wins over Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Sean O’Grady, and Art Hafey which all led up to his winning the WBC Featherweight Championship over David Kotey in 1976.  That bout took place in Kotey’s homeland of Ghana and was witnessed by 120,000 fans. Danny made eight successful title defenses, including a rematch win over Kotey by 6th round knockout.
 
In June of 1979, he participated in one of the greatest fights that I have ever seen, a spectacular 15th round knockout win over Mike Ayala, which was voted by Ring Magazine as “Fight of the Year”.
 
The following year, in February 1980, Danny lost his title to Salvador Sanchez, as well as losing the rematch four months later in June.   Both fights were late round stoppages.
 
Danny was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987. He made a “one fight“ comeback in 1992, twelve years after his last loss to Sanchez, only to lose the contest at the age of 39 years.  That bout officially ended a brilliant career of 42 wins and 6 losses, 39 by knockout. Remarkably, he had 21 straight knockout wins when he started his professional career in 1971.
 
Congratulations to Danny “Little Red” Lopez who will be inducted into the International Boxing
Hall of Fame, class of 2010 – it’s about time!