Tony “ The Tiger “ Lopez

Might be a little overrated. He was too comfortable fighting every bout in the Arco Arena.

He was a solid fighter, no question, but always rooted against him.

 

He may have liked the hometown cooking but he certainly fought a list of excellent fighters and always gave a good effort. He did stay around too long, as many often do. That first Rocky Lockridge bout was a classic.

 

I don't know about underrated as much as he is sort of a forgotten fighter. He was a three time world champion with some very nice scalps on his resume. He beat Rocky Lockridge and John John Molina twice. He also beat Jorge Paez and handed Joey Gamache and Dingaan Thobela their first losses.

As far as fighting at home in Sacramento goes, he fought under the banner of Don Chargin who was based in northern California. Lopez was a big draw at Arco and his fans followed him to his fights in Reno, Nevada so Tony was the money guy which means his opponents were able to get bigger purses by coming to him.

 

I rate Brian Mitchell as South Africa's best ever, and he ran Mitchell close in their first fight. I thought Mitchell shaded it but a draw was not outrageous either. Lopez had good all round skills and a lot of grit.

 

The 1st Molina fight was considered a gift, I haven't seen it but that's what I heard. The 1st Brian Mitchell fight was definitely a gift for Lopez though.

As others have said he may of liked fighting in his hometown a bit too much, and certainly received a few gifts along the way.

But he also had some legit wins over Lockridge x2, Haugen, Paez, which are good names to have on your resume.

Overall I agree with you though, I wouldn't say hes overrated or underrated. I would say he was pretty tough fighter an entertaining fighter, that may have slightly over achieved.

 

I thought the Mitchell fight was a gift personally, Mitchell didn't dominate the fight. But it was kind of like the Golovkin/Canelo 1 fight. Where both fights were competitive, but it was hard to see both Mitchell, Golovkin, not win in the region of 7-5, 8-4.

 

Once.

Fight one was a robbery. Not too big but in the 116-111, 115-112 Molina range.

Lopez was a fun fighter to watch an a borderline case for the IBHOF, as are Lockridge and Molina.

 

Tony Lopez was underrated by alot of people.
The first Molina fight was a bad decision and Molina should have won. 2nd fight Molina stopped Lopez and beat him up.But the third fight Lopez was relentless and won.It was a very good fight and Moilna was a very good fighter who went on to beat alot of very good fighters latter.
Beat Paez who was moving up at the time and Paez could fight.
The first Mitchell fight was very good and I thought Mitchell won but it was razor close so I had no real complaints with a draw.
The second Mitchell fight Lopez got taken to school and soundly outboxed.
The first Thobela fight many thought Thobela should have been given the nod but the funny thing is the 2nd Thobela fight many thought Lopez had done enough to win but Thobela was given the decision.
Chavez beat up Lopez pretty good but Lopez hung in there and tried.
The Pendleton vs Lopez fight was a classic war. Lopez got dropped four times and I think he dropped Pendleton twice- I know for sure he dropped him once. Was an incredible fight you should watch it if you get the chance.
Jr, welter was a divison too high for Lopez.

 

They used to call him Anthony "The Liger" Santos Devolder Lopez Ramirez Villa Lobos Lopez: The Human Kitara. Because he was neither fully Tiger nor fully Lion. He was a hybrid of the two, between the both of them, Pugilisticus Fisticuffickus Interruptus Asbestos...as the Latins say. One dangerous man.

 

respectfully disagree. Lopez won fight 1 on my card….it was Pacheco that started this nonsense and unfortunately it has been regurgitated for years