Obviously you got Rocky 1 n 2 but what's after that?, I reallyyyy wanna get into his fights but dunno where to start. Sorry if this has been done I couldn't find a thread like it when I searched.
All the Molina fights used to be on YT. Now only the first, which I had Molina winning. Molina destroyed him in the rematch. Lopez was probably at his best when he dismantled Tyrone Jackson. But that, too, is no longer on YT. His come from behind KO win over Joey Gamache is a good one. Lopez was a pretty good fighter. Although kind of a poor man's version of his idol, Bobby Chacon.
First fight was, but Lopez got his usual gift (he got several gifts). The rematch was totally out sided. Mitchell outboxed Lopez so comprehensively that they couldnt rob him.
They could only give Tony the Tiger a hometown draw in the first one, which should tell you all you need to know. I highly suggest checking out some Brian Mitchell — a true technician, he had as good a grasp of how to control distance as anyone I’ve ever seen. Notice how he finishes a lot of combos with a jab to reestablish distance and keep things where he wants them. Also really good at controlling pace ... picking it up when he wanted, slowing it down when he wanted. We’re talking about a guy with 21 KOs in 49 fights who didn’t lose in 13 title fights all away from home because the WBA barred championship fights in South Africa. So he packed his suitcase and fought in other peoples’ backyards and even without a big-punch equalizer never allowed himself to be outpointed even with sometimes unfriendly judges. Remarkable career.
The 3rd fight with John John Molina is my favorite. Molina was a good boxer, fast and sharp. The series was tied 1-1 going into Reno. Lopez was in great condition and he put on a helluva ralley to best Molina, knocking him down and closing Lou Duva's Dorito Shoot. (At least temporarily). Lopez was better than pretty good. He was a very good, exciting champion. He carried Sacramento as a one man sports franchise. He would pack the old Arco Arena. I agree Brian Mitchell should have won both of their bouts. I was at both fights. Tony could be outboxed but he carried some power. Lopez later moved up to 140 and stopped Greg Haugen and stood toe to toe with Chavez who never hurt him.
Rewatched the Lockridge fight, and had it 115-113 Lockridge. Watched the Mitchell fight and had it 115-113 Mitchell. Watched the first Molina fight and had it 114-112 for Molina. @Xplosive wasn't wrong about him getting gifts! Mitchell was really well schooled, awesome out-boxer, good head-movement and footwork. Really did a good job making Lopez miss in the pocket. Molina was a cool, calm and savvy boxer-puncher in the mold of Edwin Valero, but obviously lesser. I love that style. Mitchell, when asked what he thought went wrong following the draw with Lopez, simply replied: "What went wrong? I thought in Sacramento!". Quite a fitting metaphor for Tiger Lopez's career actually.
Yeah, Lopez was a quality fighter, but fell short of HOF level. Btw, I wouldnt look deep into Lopez's win over Haugen. Greg was beyond shot. Prime Haugen schools Lopez.
He's been in countless terrific fights such as his rivalries with John John Molina, Rocky Lockridge, and Brian Mitchell. Tony Lopez's fight with Greg Haugen and Freddie Pendleton were also very nice. This content is protected This content is protected
That's true he fight there more than a few times. Tony Lopez did go on the road and win a title in his opponents hometown when he stopped Joey Gamache for the WBA 135 title. Gamache was undefeated at the time.
Haugen took a bad beating from Chavez which might have made him a shell of himself. I'm not sure how it would go if they were both younger. At the sametime Lopez wasn't a spring chicken either. In their actual fight Greg didn't think Tony could handle his power because he wasnt at 140lbs that long. Which was odd because Haugen was never a puncher.
