EDDIE ‘THE ANIMAL’ LOPEZ, WHO ONCE DREW WITH LEON SPINKS, DIES

Eddie “The Animal” Lopez, a Los Angeles-area heavyweight who once drew with Leon Spinks, died on Friday, according to friends.

Lopez was found dead in his room by his daughter, with whom the ex-fighter lived in East L.A. He had problems with drugs for much of his life but it’s not clear whether that led directly to his death. He was believed to be in his early 60s.

Lopez (25-4-2, 17 knockouts) was a good-looking, popular figure and one of the best Mexican-American heavyweights ever. He turned pro in 1976 and fought until 1984, losing to big-name opponents John Tate, Gerry Cooney and Tony Tucker but drawing with Spinks.
The Spinks fight occurred in March 1980, 16 months after Spinks lost the heavyweight title to Muhammad Ali in their rematch. Some believe Lopez deserved the decision.

“He was a hell of a fighter,” said former fighter and friend Ruben Castillo. “He came right at you, he would try to take your head off. That’s all that mattered to him. And he was a super, super, super guy.”

Lopez became close to Carol Steindler, who once ran the Main Street Gym in L.A.
“Eddie could’ve had a great career but he was in and out of jail and took drugs. He was in that element and couldn’t get out of it,” she said.

John Montes, another former fighter, said Lopez was involved with the wrong people much of his life – he was a member of one of the biggest gangs in East L.A. – and didn’t always respect authority but was well liked in the boxing community.

“He had a habit of hanging out with the wrong crowd,” Montes said. “He got caught up in that, in drugs. No one could tell him what to do. He was that type of person.

“He was a great guy, though. And a good fighter. He was a little like Chris Arreola as a fighter. He did what he wanted to do. It’s amazing he accomplished what he accomplished given how he lived his life.”

Lomachenko Targets P4P Recognition

Two-division world champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs) returns to a Los Angeles ring August 5, at Microsoft Theater, located at LA Live! Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against two-time world title challenger Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs).

Vasyl Lomachenko: “It’s so exciting to be fighting on ESPN. So many more people are going to learn a lot about me and what I am capable of doing in the ring on Saturday night.

[On Marriaga] “When I face Marriaga, I will need to find the right keys to unlock his defensive door and do what I do best in the ring. Marriaga is a strong fighter. He has heart. I have prepared hard to face him. I need to look again at Marriaga’s full fight video against Oscar Valdez to get the best battle plan in my mind to fight him.

[On a rematch with Salido] “People ask me about Orlando Salido. My answer is that I fight for Top Rank and will take on who they schedule for me. But I would like to welcome Salido to Lomachenko University in the ring some day.

[On his career goals] “While growing up, my dream and my goal was to win an Olympic gold medal. I did that and both times they were the proudest moments in my amateur career. Now my professional goal is to be recognized as pound-for-pound, the world’s best fighter. To do this I must defeat Marriaga and then to be recognized as the pound-for-pound best I must fight champions and unify world titles.

Ortiz: I still feel like I can be one of the best

Former world champion Victor Ortiz held a media workout in Ventura, Calif. Wednesday as he prepares to return to the ring and battle Mexico’s Saul Corral in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Sunday, July 30 live from Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California.

Victor Ortiz: “I still feel like I can be one of the best in the 147-pound division. It’s there for the taking. There are some gifted fighters in there and I respect them, but I believe that I have what it takes to be right up there. I’m a complete fighter.
“I’ve been written off before. People have said I should retire since my first loss. I came back from that loss and became a champion. I don’t care what people have to say about me. I could go act full-time if I wanted, but I truly love this sport.
“When I took a step back, I realized that boxing has always been my true passion. I can’t walk away from something that I’m so gifted at and that I enjoy doing so much.
“I never get too worried about who is going to be in front of me on fight night. I just need there to be a ring. I’m excited to get back in there and get in the swing of things. I’m ready to fully pursue my goal of getting another world title.”

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EXCLUSIVE

Manny looking Sharp in Training!
By Roger Grajeda

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – I’m here live from General Santos City at the request of Manny Pacquiao , the 35-year-old WBO welterweight titleholder who will face Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 at The Venetian in Macau at a catchweight of 144 pounds to test out how he feels at a lighter weight, with his next fight to be at junior welterweight, says head trainer Freddie Roach.
“That’s the only reason we’re going to ‘44, that’s our choice, not theirs,” Roach said Monday at General Santos City.
Roach says that a move to junior welterweight would open up new fight possibilities, mentioning first a clash with RING champion Danny Garcia. READ MORE

De La Hoya's patience running out on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
by USA TODAY

HBO/Showtime boxing lineups for the rest of 2014

Canelo ankle injury KOs December 6 HBO fight

Due to a persistent ankle injury, Canelo Alvarez must withdraw from his December 6 bout. He thanks his fans for their support and looks forward to big things in 2015 on HBO. Golden Boy Promotions and HBO are reviewing their options for the December 6 date.

Nate Diaz is back, in December

Canelo to Return to HBO

Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar de la Hoya, superstar boxer Canelo Álvarez and HBO Sports President Ken Hershman will announce a newly signed agreement to bring the boxer’s fights to the HBO Sports network later today during a press conference at Golden Boy Promotions headquarters. The longterm deal is expected to commence in December.

WBC ratifies complete support for Mayweather-Pacquiao

WBC Statement: After Floyd Mayweather clearly defeated Marcos Maidana in their much anticipated rematch, there have been countless news stories, articles and statements in the press regarding the fight that has been in the makings for several years. Clearly and simply – the world wants to see Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather, the WBC welterweight and super welterweight champion of the world, has been the pound-for-pound driving force of the sport in recent years, while Pacquiao is an iconic champion who has reestablished the interest of the boxing world after his dramatic loss in his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

The WBC has been extremely supportive, and in fact ranked Pacquiao as number one contender in the welterweight division after his comeback victory against Brandon Rios. With this ranking in the month of December, 2013, Pacquiao was in line to have the fight against Mayweather, but unfortunately his plans were different and he challenged Timothy Bradley, conquering the WBO championship.

The WBC hereby ratifies complete support and commends Mayweather and Pacquiao to sit down and make the fight happen, if Pacquiao successfully wins his upcoming fight against Chris Algieri. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao have great history in the WBC and without a doubt their fight would be one of the biggest events in the history of boxing and our sport.

Oscar De La Hoya lists Miguel Cotto as top priority for Canelo Alvarez.

by lem satterfield(The Ring Magazine)
Miguel Cotto is a strong consideration as the next opponent for Saul Alvarez in the wake of Saturday’s split decision victory over 155-pound rival Erislandy Lara at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.