How great was Ricardo Lopez?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012.


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  1. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Where do you have him at his best weights and p4p? How do you think he compares to other ATGs in terms of skill and ability?

    Also, which do you think are his best performances and most entertaining fights?
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #1
  2. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    His best performances:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuymSM64vEA[/ame]

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b8AITr2jkI[/ame]
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1-Pj0PAink&feature=relmfu[/ame]

    Most entertaining:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBLr9SYMig[/ame]
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOIssAo9FTw[/ame]
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 6, 2012
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 6, 2012
    #2
  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    As far as his ranking goes he's obviously the best at his own weight class. But P4P I really don't think he should be ranked really high around Top 10. More like Top 100 as his division was very so-so. He was very well rounded with a really aesthetically pleasing style. Really great at blending his incredible offense with defense. It's just a shame he was never truly tested with other HoF calibers, the closest being Rosendo Alvarez.

    For his skills, people really really overrate his skills as if he was really indestructible just because he retired undefeated. He had great textbook skills but he is not as flawless as others make it out to be. For all his great range arsenal he had little to no inside skills.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 6, 2012
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 6, 2012
    #3
  4. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    There's a difference between a rangy fighter like Lopez not wanting and not being able to fight on the inside, though. Ali is often said being unable to fight in close, but in Manilla, when he couldn't keep his opponent off or hold him, he showed very good in-fighting skill.

    Did Lopez ever try to fight inside, but just not look good doing it?
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #4
  5. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Lopez was not good on the inside. His level of competition is pretty poor except for a few instances. His division is worthless. He was a fantastic fighter at range and the perfect boxer-puncher in terms of application. Just sublime to watch.

    I could have him outside the top 100.
     
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    #5
  6. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Funny how all dominant champions had "weak opposition".
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #6
  7. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Really? I assume you're addressing me man?

    When have I ever said Hagler, Monzon, Canto, Louis etc etc etc etc had 'weak opposition'? I reserve this for pretty much Lopez and a few others, he's way more in the Calzaghe mould than Monzon.
     
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    #7
  8. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Lopez has quantity of course but the quality of his opposition may well be inferior to Naseem Hamed's.
     
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    #8
  9. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Haven't followed you on the subject, but in general that's what people say. I've heard it about Louis, Marciano, Monzon, Duran, Hagler - you name them.

    Calzaghe had serious opposition that he didn't face (at least not when they were prime). Would you say that for Lopez?

    In general, when you have dominated your division for many years it's you that is good not your opponents that are bad. Seen over a decade or so there are bound to come good fighters along.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #9
  10. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lovely to watch ! One of my favorites, I can watch him every time...but like we always say, his opposition is a bit debatable to say the least since he was a strawweight and a big one tbh....
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Aug 6, 2012
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Aug 6, 2012
    #10
  11. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    The straw weight part of this discussion is what subverts the usual pattern IMO. As I say, some good fighters but if he'd have taken the sweat suit off a few days earlier he still would've been a big light fly, what was the ****ing point in what he was doing?!
     
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    Flea Man, Aug 6, 2012
    #11
  12. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He's hardly alone in draining weight. He also won a title at light fly.

    Much of this criticism seems a bit harsh to me.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #12
  13. frankenfrank

    frankenfrank Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    As great as Faruq Saleem was up until and including 2008 .
    Sedreck Fields , Otis Tisdale & Mike Rouse R a better list of scalps than what Ricardo Lopez had by d time of his retirement . Equal list at least .
     
    frankenfrank, Aug 6, 2012
    frankenfrank, Aug 6, 2012
    #13
  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I have him top 5 P4P just to **** off people.

    Seriously, I will never understand the flack he receives in these parts.
     
    Seamus, Aug 6, 2012
    Seamus, Aug 6, 2012
    #14
  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't think it's more complicated than that he is relatively modern. His standing will rise wiith time.

    But sublime - close to perfect - skills, some 20 wins in title fights, no losses and few close fights makes for a great, great fighter. If you put heavy stock on how a fighter looks on film top 10 is not unreasonable, but his record doesn't really hold that level. Top 50 surely, though.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    Bokaj, Aug 6, 2012
    #15
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