By Boxing Bob Newman
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there wasn’t a more exciting light heavyweight contender to sling leather in the ring and grace the TV screens of boxing fans around the world than Alvaro “Yaqui” Lopez. The superbly conditioned, “blood and guts” Lopez fought for the light heavyweight title four times and once for the cruiserweight title, losing each time, while gaining the respect and admiration of his opponents as well as boxing fans everywhere.
Lopez faced a who’s who of champions and contenders: John Conteh, Victor Galindez (twice), Matthew Saad Muhammad (twice), Carlos DeLeon, Mike Rossman, James Scott, Michael Spinks, S.T. Gordon, Bash Ali (twice), Tony Mundine, Jesse Burnett (4 X), Mike Quarry, Andy Kendall and Lonnie Bennett, while amassing a final record of 61-13, 39 KOs.
Round 8 of the Saad Muhammad fight was round of the year. I play those rounds once in a while to remind myself that fighters actually fight. It’s instead of “science” and being “economical.” (and shoulder rolls)
Yaqui still looks in good shape after all these years!
His 2nd fight with my favorite fighter at the time, Saad Muhammed was the stuff of legend. Had he been in hus prime now he would not only win a title, but woukd do it in multiple divisions.
What a LEGEND !!
Excellent new feature, “Where are they now?” – I’m always interested in how past fighters ae doing now. Always appreciated Lopez. He was a talented warrior. Even when he lost, he was a winner in my book.
I grew up watching Yacqui fight. I believe he was from Stockton, CA. I remember in an interview back in the mid 80’s towards the end of his career he said “I’ve put a lot of plastic surgeons kids through college”. It’s amazing to see he seems to still have all his marbles and is looking good.
Yaqui López is Mexican
He also has a fight of the year in cruiser weight against Puerto Rican Carlos de Leon
Yaqui , a true fighter ! today’s boxers should take notes and learn from Yaqui Lopez.
Almost forgot about him. He was tough.
What a great interview, and I’m so glad to hear Yaqui is doing well with all his faculties intact. I remember when I started following boxing seriously in early 1991, when I was fifteen years old, and read an article of the best fights of 1980. I proceeded to pony up $35 from my first job for a four-hour VHS tape of several of those fights referenced in the article, including the second Saad Muhammad-Lopez fight. That was one of the most epic wars I’ve ever seen, and it showed just how amazing Saad’s recuperative powers were to survive Lopez’s onslaught in the eighth round to later stop Lopez in the fourteenth round. In any other later era Lopez would’ve been world champion, and if that fight had taken place today, I’m almost certain that fight would’ve been stopped during Lopez’s fusillade as he landed over two dozen unanswered punches. Lopez should’ve gotten one of those decisions against Victor Galindez and gave John Conteh, Mike Rossman, Michael Spinks, Johnny Davis, and so many other top light heavyweights of his day fits. Yaqui Lopez is one of those fighters who’ll always be a champion despite never officially winning a world title. Just goes to show world titlists come and go but legendary fighters like Lopez continue to live on.
I bet that was in a magazine called Boxing 91. I remember the article.
I was a twelve-year old boy sitting ringside watching Yaqui Lopez vs. Hildo Silva battling a close fight in Santa Rosa, CA, 1973 when the judges announced Hildo as the the winner of the bout, but quickly reversed the decision and rightfully awarded Yaqui as the winner! That moment was indicative of a long career and close bouts Yaqui would have, including being 3-minutes away from being world champion. Today, he continues his love for the sport, devoting his time and love to the youth of Stockton, CA. Mad respect for El Yaqui!
He’s in GREAT mental and physical condition, especially compared to his opponents. Amazing.
Tough man walked tough road a champion in hard-core boxing fans.
I believe you’re right about the magazine, Neil. Some of the other 1980 fights profiled in that article, from what I recall, included Michael Spinks-Yaqui Lopez, Uehara-Sammy Serrano I, Tex Cobb-Ernie Shavers, Mike Weaver-John Tate, and maybe Leon Spinks-Bernardo Mercado. I really enjoyed that article and thought some of the black and white action photos were cool. It was also around the time I started buying any and every Ring, KO, World Boxing, Boxing Monthly, and International Boxing Digest magazine I could get my hands on. Remember when you actually had to wait weeks, even months, before learning the results of many non-televised and overseas fights? A few years later came the Flash and Boxing Update mailings published and distributed by Virgil Thrasher (one of the coolest names ever), which did a great job of covering the national and international scene while getting the results of fights to fans much sooner. Now I can’t wait more than a day to learn of the title fight results from Japan or get a delivery from Amazon. It’s fascinating when I think about it.
Was always at the top of the heap when the top ten light heavies were great. Lopez gave us a thrilling career. Real fan favorite!