Tony Lopez’s Super Featherweight Fire
Tony “The Tiger” Lopez gave Sacramento a champion of its own. His defining night came in July 1988, when he rose from a knockdown to take Rocky Lockridge’s IBF title in a fight that became a hometown classic and The Ring’s Fight of the Year. Lopez would win world titles at two weights, but his long run at 130 pounds began with one hard comeback.
The fight that made Sacramento roar
Lopez turned professional in 1983 and climbed the super featherweight ranks from his hometown. On July 23, 1988, he challenged IBF champion Rocky Lockridge at ARCO Arena. Lockridge dropped Lopez in the eighth round, but Lopez recovered, rallied over the closing rounds, and won a unanimous decision. For Sacramento, the comeback was a title-winning night on home ground.
The two met again in March 1989, with Lopez defending the belt. This time Lopez put Lockridge down in the third and controlled the late rounds to win another unanimous decision. He later lost the title to John John Molina, then regained it in a 1990 rematch before defending against Jorge Páez in Sacramento. Those turns made his reign a working champion’s story: setbacks, rematches, and the willingness to rebuild.
A second title at lightweight
In 1992, Lopez moved up to lightweight. On October 24, he stopped Joey Gamache in the 11th round to win the WBA title. The victory made him a world champion in a second division, adding a new chapter after years of title fights at 130 pounds.
Lopez fought professionally through 1999 and returned to life in Sacramento after boxing, where his name remained closely tied to the city. The Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame lists his career record as 50 wins, eight losses and one draw, with 34 wins by knockout. But the image that endures is more specific than a ledger: Lopez rising from the canvas, then fighting his way back into the title.
Supporting sources: Los Angeles Times: Lopez rallies to beat Lockridge; Los Angeles Times: Lockridge rematch and title defense; International Boxing Research Organization: Lopez career history; Deseret News: Lopez stops Gamache for WBA lightweight title; Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame: Tony Lopez.
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Article Tags
Tony “The Tiger” Lopez, Boxing, Boxing History, Championship Boxing
