On October 10, 1990, López defeated WBC minimumweight champion Hideyuki Ohashi of Japan via a fourth knockout to win his first world title. In 1991, he defeated Korean former champion Kyung-Yun Lee (20-1-0). In 1992, he defended his title against Pretty Boy Lucas (22-2-2) of the Philippines and Rocky Lin (14-0) of Taiwan. In 1993, López defeated future two time champion Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand. Sorjaturong was knocked down once in the 1st round and twice in the 2nd round when the referee stopped the bout. Later that year, he knocked out Filipino former champion Manny Melchor in the 11th round. In his tenth title defense, López defeated future champion Kermin Guardia (21-0-0) by unanimous decision. He knocked out Surachai Saengmorakot (10-0) in the first round of his next bout. In 1995, he defeated Andy Tabanas (30-2-0) of the Philippines via 12th round knock out. In his next bout, he defeated another Filipino boxer Ala Villamor (29-1-1) by knockout. In 1997, López defended his title against Mongkol Charoen (20-1-0). In his 20th world title bout, López unified his WBC title by defeating WBO minimumweight champion Alex Sánchez (25-1-0) of Puerto Rico via 5th round knock out. On March 7, 1998, López fought undefeated WBA minimumweight champion Rosendo Álvarez to a technical draw after referee Arthur Mercante Sr. stopped the contest following an accidental head butt in the seventh round. López defeated Alvarez in a rematch by split decision to claim his third minimumweight title. After the fight, he vacated his titles in order to move up in weight. In his first bout at light flyweight, López defeated IBF champion Will Grigsby of the United States. He defended his title against former champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin. On September 29, 2001, López knocked out Zolani Petelo who had recently vacated his IBF minimumweight title, the only minimumweight title that López had not claimed before moving up to light flyweight. He officially announced his retirement from boxing at a press conference on 28 November 2002, in Mexico City. Ricardo López was the third champion in history to retire undefeated. He also holds the record for consecutive title bouts without a loss (twenty-six). This streak began with his knockout of Hideyuki Ohashi to win the WBC minimumweight title in 1990 and ending with his knockout of Zolani Potelo to defend his IBF light flyweight title in 2001. Ricardo only had one draw, which came against Rosendo Alvarez in 1998 in Lopez's 48th bout. His final record was 51 wins (KO 38), 0 losses, and 1 draw. López now works as a boxing broadcaster for the Mexican Televisa network.[1]
Couple of other brief points about Lopez: Was always a gentleman in and out the ring. Huge amount of respect among his fans and most boxers in general(Roy JOnes and FLoyd consider him one their favorites). Gets some extra cool points for deciding to retire while at the top and not going back on his word!:good
ricardo lopez is the guy i think of when you say you can't judge a fighter by his record. sure, his record is amazing but watching him really brings it home. I believe he's one of the few virtually flawless fighters in history. he did EVERYTHING brilliantly. a true legend and he's got a cozy spot in my top 10 all time list.
its a shame in a perfect world, especially when we are young, that more people don't realise how important these things are to being a 'complete' (or at least working towards) person.
Ricardo Lopez is the greatest Strawweight of all time. He is also one of the greatest pound for pound fighters in the history of boxing. Not only was he undefeated as a pro, but as an amateur too. He defended his title twenty-two times and was one of only two fighters to retire as an undefeated true world champion. I feel like this guy doesn't get enough respect among boxing fans, so it's always nice when someone gives him some recognition. To say that he was a complete fighter would be an understatement. Ricardo Lopez is a gentleman and a true champion, in and out of the ring.
A lot of announcers were quick to point out(during his fights) that if Lopez had been a welterweight or above he would have been the biggest name in boxing during his peak! Hard to disagree with that assesment!
