How good was Ricardo Lopez?

I remember he made the "KOs of the year" highlight reels two years in a row by KOing two differnt opponents using a similiar body punch that seemed to lift his victims off their feet before dropping like a sack of potatoes, amazing stuff:yikes

 

Carbajal or Chang.

Could see both of them beating Lopez if we're talking about the one that moved up from 105 in the latter part of his career. But if we took him from his prime and moved him up just 3 pounds, I'd take Lopez. To me, Chang would be the toughest opponent because he'd look to be right on top of Lopez.

 

Chang would've been his toughest matchup by far if you ask me. Style-wise, easily his hardest test. Chang was better than both Gonzalez and Carbajal, and his swarming pressure would take Lopez out of his element in a way that Carbajal's straight up and down style would not, nor Gonzalez's banging style. Gonzalez has nothing for Lopez IMO, less than Carbajal, who was simply not versatile enough, and his strengths would do nothing to best Lopez's strengths.

I also think Hilario Zapata at 108 would be a very stern test for Lopez.

 

He was particularly tall and slick for his weight, quick as well. His style would give Lopez a hard time as he wouldn't be finding his shots as easily, nor outmaneuvering his opponent as easily, if at all. His power though may make the difference.

Also, Moon beat him at the end of his career, and would've obviously stopped Lopez as well, being the natural 115 pounder that he was, and a brute at that.

I've never seen Bassa fight, but from what I understand, he was exceptionally skilled and underrated, according to Raging B(_)LL.

As for Chang, it's possible his style could leave him open, but his speed and tenacity could also limit Lopez's room to operate. Think a slightly smaller fight version of Jofre/Chang. That's a possibility for this matchup style-wise. As it is though, I have it about 50/50, I agree that Lopez has a good chance of winning as well.

 

One of the greatest to ever lace them up. Top 35 ATG IMO.

 

Good post. I also pick Lopez over any of these guys with Carbajal brobably having the best chance based on a arguable strength advantage, but Lopez's good chin, accurate power punching and superior boxing skills would save the day for him.

 

Johnson was the fight that Lopez should have took. there was always a sense that Lopez would go without a BIG fight. But when the shot came he didnt jump on it. A catch weight at 108 with Johnson would have been the biggest fight under 122 in the past 30 years. In the late 1990's both men were ranked in the top 8 p4p. Lopez as high as 4, and Johnson as high as 5. the winner of that fight would have gone into the top 3.

Lopez was a great fighter. High skill level, the ability to fight many ways. I loved watching him fight. Best thing about Lopez is he knew when it was time to go, maybe he should write a book and sell it to the likes of Jones, Hopkins, and Holyfield. Entitled "When its the right time to RETIRE"

 

Johnson was too big. He fought no lower than Flyweight his entire career and up to Bantamweight.

 

the fight was on the table non the less, and it was Lopez's one and only shot at another p4p fighter. At the end of the day those are the fights that define a fighters career. Its really no different then what everyother elite fighter as done, that is move up and fight bigger guys.

 

Never heard of that offer "on the table", but I'll give you the benefit.

Agree that the Lopez/Johnson fight would have been a good one but bottom line, Lopez's career was more defined than Johnson's and
having Too Sharp's name on his resume would just be frosting.

My question is why would Johnson be looking to fight someone two divisions below when there was plenty of serious competition in and around his own division, some of the names that come to mind: Sor Vorapin, Tapia, Romero, Arbachakov, Sadakull, Sorjatourang, Gonzalez and Carbajal:think

 

Immaculate technique.

 

No one wanted to risk it against a monster like the very high risk/low reward in Too Sharp.

Too Sharp would have stopped Ricardo imho due to speed and size as i feel putting on extra weight would hamper the NATURAL 105 lb Lopez.

Btw, I love Ricardo and have him as my favorite boxer.