I remember watching that fight live. Yeah, that riot was prety bad especially since Tony was the much-loved hometown boy and he lost. Place went totally ballistic. It was his fights with Molina and later Mitchell that made me a Lopez fan. Good old-school type fighter.
I didn't like him because he beat my boy Lockridge. :twisted: But yes, a real old school type who claims to have picked up a lot of tricks from Bobby Chacon when they would work together early in his career and it shows.......one of those fighters who wasn't a terribly fluid boxer or a terrific puncher but who seemed to be more intrinsic than most.
Very good, honest fighter. I didn't care for him at the time. Seemed like all of his big fights were in Sacramento and if he landed a jab the idiots at ringside went nuts. Always thought he benefitted from some home cooking. I thought Lockridge got robbed in the 1st fight. Lockridge knocked Lopez down in the 8th round (I think) and I timed it one time, it was about 16 seconds. Anyway, hate to be too negative. He was a good, tough fighter and always had entertaining fights. Brave effort against Chavez.
Those title fights, televised on free tv from The ARCO Arena, were great viewing. The trilogy with Molina, the two fights with Lockridge. Great viewing. I think Lockridge was slightly passed his prime when Lopez beat him, but still a good win. He wasn't nearly as good at 135 or 140 but was very solid in his 130 lb. prime.
I was at a function on the coast once and Lopez was being feted amongst others and during his acknowledgement speech he cited Chacon, just as you said, as being the guy who taught him so much. It was good to see as he pointed into the crowd and stated something to the effect of, "I made it thanks to that man right there."
I always liked and rooted for Tony the Tiger....he was one of my mainstays in those days when I gave a damn about the current boxing scene and actually kept up with the fighters.
I've always likened Lopez as a guy who would have fit in nicely back in the late 40's and through the 50's....a very entertaining guy!
Sacramento was a big fight town back in the day as far as supporting local guys. Lopez filled arenas and I believe Pete Ranzany regularly drew 10,000-plus, and something like 17,000 for his failed attempt at Pipino Cuevas' title. Sal Lopez (Tony's older brother?) also drew huge crowds.
I met Tony in Old Sacramento several years ago and even shook his hand, very friendly and personable guy.
