Any thoughts on this match up? This would have been a grueling, wildly entertaining scrap at 130 for sure.
Hmmm. This is good. Outside Arco Arna, Boza by decision or late stoppage. Inside Arco, could happen anyway but the odds are shorter.
Boza was a sharp-punching southpaw who fought brilliantly to depose Rafael "Bazooka" Limon for the WBC super-featherweight title back in 1981 in California but his reign was desperately short and he failed in an attempt to win back the title against Bobby Chacon in 1983, moving up to lightweight shortly afterwards. Lopez also fought brilliantly to win the IBF super-featherweight title from Rocky Lockridge in the summer of 1988 (Lockridge had beaten Boza) and enjoyed a decent run as champion, making three successful defences before Juan Molina toppled him in 10 rounds in October 1989. Unlike Boza, Lopez was able to regain the title when he outscored Molina in Reno in July 1990 which ranks as a fine achievement. He later lost the belt to South Africa's outstanding Brian Mitchell. Lopez was a better boxer than Boza and punched just as sharply, in my opinion, but he would be foolish to go to war with Boza, who showed against John Verderosa in 1982 what he could do to a reckless fighter. I think Lopez is disciplined enough to stick to his boxing, much as he did against Jorge Paez in 1990, and he takes the points after 12 entertaining rounds.
Huge Boza and Lopez fan. The Boza of the Chacon 1 and Bazooka fights is a tough hombre to beat. Nonetheless, Lopez was a surprisingly good boxer-puncher against Lockridge especially in the return fight which he dominated. He looked excellent against a quality Paez, destroyed punchers Tyrone Jackson and Lupe Gutierrez and his performance in the 3 rd fight with classy John John Molina was brilliant. Superb fight if you haven´t seen it. Fought well in 2 fights with Brian Mitchell, getting a draw in the 1st fight and did go up to lightweight to ko an undefeated 2 weight champion in his home town. Good fight but I have an inkling that Lopez keep his cool like he did against the extravagent Paez and box his way to a close and possibly controversial decision.
Excellent analysis friend. I was leaning to Boza Edwards but your points were solid and made me reconsider. Lopez is one of those fighters that is rarely mentioned today. But looking back on his career , he beat a lot of fighters that were very good. Lockridge, Mitchell, Molina, Paez and Haugen were all good scalps. The 70's, 80's and early 90's had really good and competitive fighters from all weight classes in boxing.
