FIGHTERS OF THE 20th CENTURY

 

1970's ICONIC DANNY "LITTLE RED" LOPEZ

 

 

One of the most popular fighters of the talent filled 1970's was hard hitting Danny "Little Red" Lopez.He was the younger brother of top welterweight contender Ernie "Red" Lopez. When Danny turned professional in 1971 he quickly became a West Coast favorite. He was considered almost a sure thing to be a champion one day. Lopez would find out that there were some bumps in road on the highway to a title. Danny won his first ten bouts and then faced his first major test. He was matched with (13-0) Tury "The Fury" Pineda. The Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium was in a frenzy as Danny dispatched Pineda in round four. Pineda would prove to be no slouch as would later fight for the WBC lightweight title on two occasions.

 
    Lopez continued to reel off victories but it was becoming clear that he was on a collision course with another hot prospect. His name was Bobby "Schoolboy" Chacon. In 1974 Lopez entered the Los Angeles Sports Arena ring with a sterling 23-0 record. Chacon was 23-1 with his only loss coming against the great Ruben Olivares. On this night Chacon was on his game as he took Danny to school. The bout was mercifully stopped in the ninth round. Although the loss to Chacon diminished Danny's star, losing to Chacon was not the end of the world. Nevertheless over the next few months the future would begin to look very bleak for Lopez. Later in 1974 Danny was stopped in the eighth round by Japan's Shig Fukuyama. If that wasn't enough to stun the experts a 1975 loss to rugged and clever Octavio "Famoso" Gomez sent the Lopez stock tumbling.
 
   Just when it looked like Danny was an over hyped media creation, he would mount a great comeback. Lopez was on a mission as he put together a series of knockouts that would establish him as the #1 contender for the featherweight title. He would halt former bantamweight champion Jesus "Chucho" Castillo in two rounds. Then he took out one time title challenger Raul Cruz in six. Lopez would then score his biggest victory to date stopping former bantamweight and featherweight champion Ruben Olivares in seven. It was a very impressive performance by Lopez as he was now inching closer to a shot at the championship. Danny then took on future lightweight champion Sean O'Grady. Lopez overwhelmed the young O'Grady posting a fourth round stoppage. Then it was sweet revenge for Danny as he pummeled Octavio Gomez in three rounds reversing his earlier loss. Lopez would then put the icing on the cake of his storybook comeback. He would batter the tough and game Art Hafey in seven rounds. Now it was time for Danny to challenge for the title.
 
   On November 6,1976 in Accra,Ghana Lopez would meet WBC featherweight champion David Kotey. This fine champion had won the title from Ruben Olivares and sported a 33-2-2 record. Kotey had his hometown crowd behind him but neither Kotey or the crowd could derail Lopez. Danny gave Kotey quite a drubbing and only Kotey's tremendous courage allowed him to hear the final bell. Danny Lopez was now the featherweight champion of the world.
 
   The popularity of Lopez was now soaring and he was on his way to becoming a TV fan favorite. His static approach to the task at hand coupled with the power of his right hand were enticing to the masses. After two 1977 non title wins, Danny took down Jose Torres in seven rounds for his first defense. In 1978 Lopez gave Kotey a shot at regaining his crown. This bout took place in Las Vegas and Danny overpowered the former titleholder for a sixth round knockout. Next was a six round beat-down of Jose Francisco DePaula. In his fourth defense Lopez took on Juan Domingo Malvarez at the Superdome in New Orleans. This was on the undercard of Muhammad Ali versus Leon Spinks. Danny would halt Malvarez in the fourth. Then it was off to Italy as Lopez won on a disqualification against Fel Clemente. Next in what was to be a   stern test for Lopez turned out to be a blowout as he ended the title hopes of Spain's Roberto Castanon in round two.
 
   The next defense for Lopez would prove to be his shining moment. Danny took on the slick and gutsy Mike Ayala and they would fight in Ayala's hometown of San Antonio,Texas. This was a WAR with several shifts in momentum. It was the kind of bout that had you on the edge of your seat throughout the contest. There was hardly a break in the action. Ayala was busier but Lopez was by far the harder puncher. It became a war of attrition. Who would be the last man standing ? Finally after fourteen torrid rounds, Danny broke through in the fifteenth to end Ayala's game stand. This would be the Ring Magazine 1979 Fight Of The Year.
 
   Lopez would make his eighth defense against Jose Caba winning in the third round. Danny's next defense would be in 1980 against unheralded Mexican Salvador Sanchez. Although Sanchez had a glossy 33-1-1 record he was little known outside of his native Mexico. On February 2nd the two would meet in Phoenix, Arizona. On this day a legend would emerge. Sanchez fought a picture perfect fight. While Lopez seemed stale and slow, Sanchez looked fast and sharp. He beat Lopez to the punch throughout the fight but there was no quit in Lopez. The proud champion was finally rescued in the thirteenth round. Sanchez would next turn back the challenge of (47-1) Ruben Castillo by decision. The stage was now set for Sanchez - Lopez II. The rematch took place on June 21st in Las Vegas. It was a carbon copy of their first match. Lopez had no answer for the style of Sanchez. This time Lopez would be punished into the fourteenth round before his night ended.
 
   Lopez would retire after the losses to Sanchez. We will never know how great Sanchez would have become as he lost his life at the age on 22 in a tragic 1982 auto accident. Danny would make an ill fated comeback in 1992 and was defeated in two rounds by Jorge Rodriguez. This should not reflect on the fine career of Lopez. In all Lopez had 48 bouts and finished with a 42-6 record. He was a knockout winner 39 times. He always stalked his opponents looking to land his power laden right hand. If Danny did hit the canvas he would just get up and dust himself off. Then it was back to stalking his foe. Lopez was pound for pound one of the hardest punchers of that talent rich era. Lopez was a promoter's dream as he put "asses in the seats". Lopez was finally inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2010. It was long overdue but now Danny is right where he belongs.
                                                                                                                                                                      Jim Amato
 

 

 

 

TOP MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER FRANZ SZUZINA

 

 

The 1950's turned out so many talented middleweight contenders. This was back in day when the best fought the best to earn a shot at the world title. Among those who battled for honor and glory was a German named Franz Szuzina.


Franz was born in Germany in 1930. He became a professional boxer in 1950. By 1951 he had 12-2-2 record and challenged Peter Mueller for the German title. Franz lost the verdict but he battled his way back to another shot at the German title. In 1952 dropped a decision to reigning champion Hans Stretz. In 1953 Franz suffered his first knockout defeat at the hands of undefeated Gustov Scholz.
Franz continued to meet tough competition in Germany over the next few years including a trilogy with Willi Besmanoff. He then traveled to England and dropped a duke to Pat McAteer. Then it was over France where he lost to Charles Humez. In 1956 Franz invaded the United States. He fought a draw with Charley Cotton and then he met future world champion Joey Giardello. The crafty Giardello won a decision over his rugged adversary. Franz then defeated Al Andrews but lost a tough one to Billy Kilgore. Franz finished 1956 by stopping Cotton in a rematch.

1957 was a roller coaster year for Szuzina. He dropped three straight to Bobby Lane, future welterweight champ Virgil Akins and Bobby Boyd. He then defeated Akins and the always tough Randy Sandy. He finished the year with another loss to Boyd. In 1958 Franz would lose two very hard fought battles against Giardello. In July Franz was to meet former middleweight champion Gene Fullmer at Madison Square Garden. The fight fell through and Spider Webb substituted for Fullmer. For only the second time in his career Franz failed to go the distance as Webb won in round seven. Franz would finish the year with another win over Sandy and a loss to Rory Calhoun.

Szuzina would stay active but in 1961 he was outscored by Henry Hank and Calhoun again. Those were his last fights. In all Franz answered the bell 86 times and posted a respectable record of 48-23-15. He won 25 by the kayo route and was only stopped twice. Franz passed away on June 29,2008.

Franz Szuzina's daughter Natalie has a great tribute page to her father on Facebook. Please check it out.
                                                                                                   Jim Amato
 

 

 

 

 

MARCH 8, 1971: THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

  

Can it be? 40 years since epic bout....

There are certain dates that will stick with you as long as you live. Your birthday, the birthdays of family members, anniversaries, the day that you got your divorce ( s ), etc…Happy and important days that mark milestones in your life.

One such date I’ll always remember is March 8, 1971. The ” Battle Of The Century “, it was so aptly named.Two undefeated boxers who each had a legitimate claim to being the heavyweight champion of the world would collide. When Muhammad Ali first won the title in 1964 his name was Cassius Clay. He would shortly thereafter change his name and then proceed to change the face of boxing. He dominated the scene until 1967 when he refused induction into the US Military due to his religious beliefs. Then came the Eight Man Elimination Tourney that was won by Jimmy Ellis. The powerful New York State Athletic Commission would recognize the winner of a match up between unbeaten boxers Joe Frazier and Buster Mathis. A bout in which Joe won. In 1970 Frazier stopped Ellis to claim the vacated title. Later that year Muhammad Ali returned to ring wars and halted highly ranked contenders Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. The stage was now set. Ali and Frazier would clash for the undisputed title.

The first Ali – Frazier bout was the epic that all others are compared to, even today. There is no reason in this article to describe the bout itself. Reams of print have appeared documenting the action that took place in the ring that magical night. What I would like to share is the impact that fight on me and probably millions of others. I have never before or since March 8, 1971 felt the same way about a prize fight. Yes there were a few that stirred my anticipation like Duran-DeJesus II and III, Leonard-Duran I, Leonard-Hearns I, Pryor-Arguello I, Hagler-Hearns and Leonard-Hagler. Still to this day Ali – Frazier I tops them all.

Was Ali – Frazier I the best action fight of all time ? I would have to say no but for sheer anticipation, drama and excitement, this fight was the whole package. You had movie star Burt Lancaster as a commentator and Frank Sinatra as a photographer. Each boxer would receive $ 2.5 million for their nights work. That was an unheard sum of money for one fight in 1971.
I have never been so wound up with anticipation for a boxing match in my life. I was a few months shy of my seventeenth birthday and had been a boxing fan from the time I was ten.I had closely followed all the events leading up this day in boxing history.

 


On fight night I was at a party and we gathered around the radio listening to the round by round summary. We were pretty much split on the outcome of the fight but almost all of us were rooting for ” Smokin’ Joe “. From the round by round reports we could sense that this was a bout with shifting momentums. The ever proud Ali realized that Joe had come to fight this evening. Maybe Ali took Frazier too lightly. Maybe Muhammad rushed too soon to get back in the ring after his lengthy layoff. Maybe, just maybe the Joe Frazier of March 8, 1971 was one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. I’ve never seen a boxer who laid it all out for one fight like Joe did that night. You’ve heard it said that a boxer would rather die then be defeated. On this night Joe would have died a hundred deaths before giving in to Ali.
Round after round went by and as we listened to the radio. In the eleventh Frazier rocked Ali and we as a collective group cheered. Even the ones who had bet on Ali to win. As the bout moved into the ” championship ” rounds, we were all on the edge of our seats. Then it happened. It was announced on the radio the Joe had decked Ali in the fifteenth round. More cheering and now the wait. Finally it was time to render the decision. The winner and still heavyweight champion of the world…Joe Frazier !

Oh what a night. Forty years later I can remember it like it was yesterday. Ali, Frazier, my friends and myself are now entering the twilight of our lives. Still when I think of that night it takes me back to my youth and to the ultimate excitement that probably the greatest single sporting event of all time brought me. Thanks Joe and Muhammad.

Jim Amato

 

 

 

Kid Chocolate: Cuban Legend

Jim Amato
He was born Eligio Sardinias Montalbo on January 6, 1910 in Cerro, Havana, Cuba.  He launched his professional boxing career in 1927 and would participate in over 150 bo1uts in a career that ended in 1938.  He was nicknamed the "Cuban Bon Bon."  During the 1930s, he was one of the best drawing cards in New York.  His flashy personality and even flashier style in the ring made him a real crowd pleaser.
After racking up a series of victories in his native Cuba, "The Kid" invaded the U.S. in 1928 knocking out Eddie Enos in three rounds in Mineola, New York.  He would go on to fight at all the popular New York spots like Ridgewood Grove and the St. Nicolas Arena.  On November 30, 1928 at Madison Square Garden, The Kid drew with rugged Joey Scalfaro.  In 1929, he beat Bushy Graham and Vic Burrone.  Then, on May 22, 1929, The Kid outscored the great Fidel LaBarba.  Kid Chocolate continued to win fights and among his victims were Gregorio Vidal, Al Singer, and Dominick Petrone.

The year 1930 saw The Kid enter the ring for a match with Jack "Kid" Berg.  The energetic and quick Kid Chocolate was hard pressed to last against his aggressive adversary.  Berg won a split decision.  Three fights later, The Kid was outhustled by Fidel LaBarba.  So what happens?  Kid Chocolate is matched with Batttling Battalino for the featherweight title.  On December 12, 1930 at Madison Square Garden, Battalino got the verdict in a bout that many felt could have gone to Kid Chocolate.

Finally, on July 15, 1931, The Kid finally won a world title.  At Baker Field in Philadelphia, The Kid halted the rugged Benny Bass in seven rounds to win recognition as the world junior lightweight champion.  In November, he moved up in weight to take on the lightweight champion Tony Canzoneri.  It was a great fight witnessed by over 19,000 fans at Madison Square Garden.  This time, The Kid came up on the short end of a split decision.
Chocolate would win nine straight after his setback to Canzoneri against some tough guys like Davey Abad, Lew Feldman, and Johnny Farr.  On July 18, 1932, Kid Chocolate would meet Kid Berg in a return match.  Again, Berg was able to pull off a close decision at the Garden.  The Kid again put together an impressive win streak including a fifteen round win over Fidel LaBarba that gained him the New York State Athletic Commission featherweight title.

On November 24, 1933, Kid Chocolate suffered a severe career setback when he was blasted out in the second round by Tony Canzoneri.  One month later, The Kid lost his junior lightweight title to Frankie Klick.  His career was on the decline, but he was still winning more then he lost.  There was a draw with tough Tommy Paul in 1934.  Later that year, he was clearly outpointed by Petey Hayes.  In 1935, he lost a decision in Caracas, Venezuela to Simon Chavez.

In December of 1936, The Kid would drop a points call to Phil Baker.  He would then win over twenty fights through 1938.  He was held to a draw by Bernie Friedkin and Orville Drouillard, but managed a degree of vengeance when he was awarded a well deserved decision over Phil Baker in Cuba in 1938. After 1938, the ever popular Kid Chocolate retired.  He had met some of the best of his day.  He was "Mantequilla" which means "Smooth as butter" long before the great Jose Napoles was given that nickname.  In comparing Kid Chocolate's style to more contemporary boxers, I would say the smooth boxing Ismael Laguna and the extremely clever Wilfred Benitez fit the bill.  Kid Chocolate was grace personified.  He was surely in a class by himself.
 

 

Archie Moore: The Ageless Warrior

 By Jim Amato:

  He was possibly the greatest light heavyweight of all time, The wily "Old Mongoose" Archie Moore. The man who scored 140 knockouts in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1963 never lost his crown in the ring. Although he unsuccessfully challenged twice for the heavyweight title, he did campaign successfully among the "Big Boys" throughout his tenure as a professional boxer. His record reads lie "Who's Who" of boxing history. In 228 recorded bouts, Archie was only stopped seven times, a testimony to his courage and uncanny defensive ability.

Born on December 13, 1913, ( or 1916 to Archie) Moore boxed for years without due recognition. He fought all over the country. He even traveled to Australia and Argentina in search of fame and fortune. After six years on the circuit, Archie began to make his move toward the big time. In 1942, he knocked out Shorty Hogue in two rounds. Hogue had decisioned Archie no less than three times earlier in his career. He also beat rugged Jack Chase and drew with Ed Booker. In 1943, he won two out of three against Chase. In 1944, Moore lost by a knockout to Booker and also dropped a decision to the great Charley Burley. 1945 was a good year for Archie as he lost only two of fourteen fights. He beat Clevelander Lloyd Marshall twice. He was stopped by another Clevelander, the outstanding Jimmy Bivins. He lost a decision to Holman Williams but kayoed Holman in a rematch.

By this time Archie was formidable enough to warrant a title shot but it would be seven long years before he was granted one. Along the way, Moore would beat Curtis Sheppard twice and Bert Lytell twice. He would beat Bivins four times in rematches. He would defeat Harold Johnson in three put of four contests. He also scored victories over Ted Lowry, Bob Satterfield, Phil Muscato, Alberto Lovell and Jimmy Slade. The only boxer who could handle Archie was Ezzard Charles. Ezz beat Moore three times. The last time by a spectacular eighth round knockout in Cleveland. Finally on December 17, 1952, presumably just after his 39th birthday, Archie met yet another Cleveland legend, Joey Maxim. With Maxim's world light heavyweight title on the line Archie won a persuading decision to become a champion at last.

As world champion the legacy of Archie Moore would flourish. He defeated Maxim twice in title rematches. He beat heavyweight Nino Valdes twice, Bob Baker and Bert Whitehurst. He would successfully defend his crown with knockouts over Harold Johnson and Bobo Olson. On September 21, 1955, Archie would get his first crack at the heavyweight crown when he met Rocky Marciano. In the second round, Archie sent Marciano to the canvas. Rocky beat the count and lasted out the round. However, slowly the tide turned in Marciano's favor. Rocky proved to be too strong for the gritty Moore who finally succumbed in round nine. He kayoed Yolande Pompey in a title defense and on November 30, 1956, he was matched with Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight championship that Marciano had vacated. Although Archie was given a good chance to win by experts, the youthful Patterson was much too fast and stopped Moore in round five.

Archie went back to defending his light heavyweight crown stopping the highly regarded Tony Anthony in seven rounds. Moore continued to meet heavyweights in hope of securing one more shot at that title. Archie defeated Howard King twice, Roger Rischer, Willi Besmanoff and Charley Norkus before putting his title on the line. Moore's 1958 bout with Canada'sYvon Durelle secured Archie's place in fistic history. Repeatedly knocked down in the early rounds and then down again in the fifth, Moore refused to surrender. By the middle rounds Durelle began to tire. Archie came on to stop Durelle in the eleventh round to retain his title in a classic thriller. In their 1959 rematch Yvon was a lot less troublesome as he exited in round three. Moore did not defend his title at all in 1960 much to the dismay of the National Boxing Association who withdrew recognition of Archie as a champion on October 25th. Old foe Harold Johnson beat Jesse Bowdry to claim the vacant NBA title. Still recognized be New York State and the European Boxing Union Archie decisioned Giulio Rinaldi in his final title defense. On February 10, 1962, New York and the EBU stripped Archie of his crown. A feat no mere mortal could accomplish in the ring. Finally the ageless wonder began to slow down. Archie still had enough left in 1962 to draw the future protégé Cassius Clay. Clay had won the light heavyweight Gold Medal at the 1960 Olympics and had trained briefly under Archie early in his pro career. The brash upstart overwhelmed the aging warrior as he had predicted in round four. Archie had no more illusions of becoming heavyweight champion.

Upon his retirement, Archie did some acting and he also became very involved in helping the youth of America. He started a program called "Any Boy Can" and used this as a vehicle to reach young people in a positive manner. Archie's book which is aptly titled "Any Boy Can" explains Archie's views on helping youth as well as Archie covering his life and boxing career.