Yaqui López
This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (September 2022) |
Yaqui Lopez | |
---|---|
Born | Álvaro López May 21, 1951 Light Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (192 cm) |
Reach | 77 in (197 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 76 |
Wins | 61 |
Wins by KO | 39 |
Losses | 15 |
Álvaro López (born May 21, 1951, in
Early life
López was born under a bull ring in the Plaza de Toros San Pedro in Zacateca, Mexico. He grew up underneath the seats in an adobe garage of a famous Bullring in Zacatecas.
A Young López had dreams of becoming a Matador. During his very first bull fight when López was in his teens, a bull drove its horns into his ankle and shattered it. Due to his injury, López decided not to purse becoming a bull fighter.
Amateur career
López ended his amateur career with a record of 13–3. At the Diamond Belt Championship in Eureka, California, he knocked out the defending champion to win the title. Many
Professional career
In April 1972, Álvaro would win his pro debut against Herman Hampton. The bout was held at the Civic Auditorium in Stockton, California.[6] The two would rematch in Carson City, Nevada less than two months later, with Álvaro stopping the bout early by knockout in the 2nd round.
WBC Light Heavyweight Championship
On October 9, 1976, López lost a very disputed decision to world champion John Conteh. Many people in the crowd thought López had pulled off the upset. The fight was held in Denmark.[7]
WBA Light Heavyweight Championship
Álvaro met
He was one of the very few boxers of his time to challenge James Scott at the Rahway State Prison.[9]
1980 Fight of the Year
López would later fight in
WBC Cruiserweight Championship
In Álvaro's last world title attempt, he would lose to the much younger WBC Cruiserweight Champion, Carlos De León.[11] López would then wait almost a year before fighting Bash Ali. Following the matchh, he retired from boxing.[12]
Legacy
Lopez is a member of both the California Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.[13][14] He has his own gym named after him, Yaqui Lopez's Fat City Boxing.[15] During Álvaro's career he faced Víctor Galíndez, Mike Rossman, Mike Quarry, Tony Mundine, Jesse Burnett, James Scott, S. T. Gordon, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Carlos De León, Michael Spinks, and John Conteh.[16][17]
Professional boxing record
References
- ^ "Yaqui Lopez - BoxRec".
- ^ "Chatting with the champ: Yaqui Lopez". Max Boxing. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ Wainwright, Anson (2018-11-22). "Best I Faced: Yaqui Lopez". The Ring. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ "Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez: The Zacatecas Matador". 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Down Memory Lane: Paul Malignaggi, a New-Age Yaqui Lopez?". Bleacher Report.
- ^ "BoxRec: Event".
- ^ "BoxRec Boxing Records". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-30.
- ^ "A champion without a belt". 2006-01-07. Archived from the original on 2006-01-07.
- ^ "BoxRec: Event".
- ^ "Alvaro Lopez boxer". www.fightsrec.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ "BoxRec: Event".
- ^ "Inaugura boxeador zacatecano su gimnasio-museo en EU". zacatecasonline.com.mx.
- ^ "Where Are They Now; Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez". 22 July 2005.
- ^ "Lopez finally among champs | Recordnet.com". 2012-04-06. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06.
- ^ www.yaquilopezsfatcityboxing.com
- ^ "None".
- ^ "Yaqui Lopez Never Took a Backwards Step". 10 February 2005.
External links
- Boxing record for Yaqui López from BoxRec (registration required)
- Homepage of Fat City Boxing Club