Ricardo López (boxer)

Ricardo López
Statistics
Real name Ricado López Nava
Nickname(s) El Finito (The Refined)[1]
Weight(s) Strawweight
Junior Flyweight
Nationality Mexican
Born (1966-07-25) July 25, 1966
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 52
Wins 51
Wins by KO 38
Losses 0
Draws 1
No contests 0

Ricardo “El Finito” López Nava (born July 25, 1966) is a retired undefeated Mexican professional boxer. As a professional, he defended the Lineal and WBC Strawweight Championship a record 21 times. He also won the WBA and WBO Championships in the same weight class. López later won the IBF Light Flyweight Championship and defended it twice before retiring. He is also the father of undefeated flyweight prospect Alonso López.[2][3]

Amateur career

López would win four consecutive Guantes de Oro de México Championships from 1981 to 1984. López turned pro without having ever lost an amateur bout. And is now known as one of the best Amateur boxers to ever step in the ring

Professional career

On January 18, 1985, Ricardo made his professional debut at the age of 20 by scoring a third round knockout of Rogelio Hernandez. He accumulated a record of 26–0 before receiving his first shot at a world title.

WBC Minimumweight Championship

On October 10, 1990, López defeated Lineal and WBC Minimumweight Champion Hideyuki Ohashi of Japan via a fourth round knockout to win his first world title.[4] In 1991, he defeated Korean former champion Kyung-Yun Lee (20–1–0). In 1992, he defended his title against Pretty Boy Lucas (22–2–2) of the Philippines and Rocky Lin (14–0) of Taiwan. In 1993, López defeated future two time champion Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand. Sorjaturong was knocked down once in the 1st round and twice in the 2nd round when the referee stopped the bout.

Later that year, he knocked out Filipino former champion Manny Melchor in the 11th round. In his tenth title defense, López defeated future champion Kermin Guardia (21–0–0) by unanimous decision. He knocked out Surachai Saengmorakot (10–0) in the first round of his next bout. In 1995, he defeated Andy Tabanas (30–2–0) of the Philippines via 12th round knock out. In his next bout, he defeated another Filipino boxer and founder of the famous "Ala Gym" Ala Villamor (29–1–1) by knockout. In 1997, López defended his title against Mongkol Charoen (20–1–0).

WBO and WBA Minimumweight Championship

In his 20th world title bout, López unified his WBC title by defeating WBO Minimumweight Champion Alex Sánchez (25–1–0) of Puerto Rico via 5th round knockout. On March 7, 1998, López fought undefeated WBA Minimumweight Champion Rosendo Álvarez to a technical draw after referee Arthur Mercante Sr. stopped the contest following an accidental head butt in the seventh round. In the rematch, Alvarez came in over the minimumweight limit and was subsequently stripped of his title. Due to the weight disparity, the fight was in jeopardy. However, López chose to proceed with the contest against the heavier Alvarez with only López eligible to claim the now vacant WBA title. López defeated Alvarez by split decision to claim his third Minimumweight title.[5] After the fight, he vacated his titles in order to move up in weight.

IBF Light Flyweight Championship

In his first bout at light flyweight, López defeated IBF Champion Will Grigsby of the United States. He defended his title against former champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin. On September 29, 2001, López knocked out Zolani Petelo, who had recently vacated his IBF Minimumweight title, the only Minimumweight title that López had not claimed before moving up to light flyweight. He officially announced his retirement from boxing at a press conference on November 28, 2002 in Mexico City.

Retirement

Ricardo López was the third champion in history to retire undefeated and the first to do so as both an amateur and professional fighter. He also shares with Joe Louis and Floyd Mayweather Jr. the record for consecutive title bouts without a loss (twenty-six).[6][7] This streak began with his knockout of Hideyuki Ohashi to win the WBC Minimumweight title in 1990 and ended with his knockout of Zolani Petelo to defend his IBF Light Flyweight title in 2001. Ricardo only had one draw, which came against Rosendo Alvarez in 1998 in Lopez's 48th bout and was avenged in the rematch eight months later. His final record was 51 wins (38 knockouts), 0 losses and 1 draw.

Life after boxing

López now works as a boxing broadcaster for the Mexican Televisa network.[8]

Honors

López was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.[9]

Ricardo "Finito" Lopez was voted as the Greatest Strawweight and Light Flyweight Champion Ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014. The HBHOF is a voting body composed entirely of current and former fighters.

Professional record

Professional record summary
52 fights 51 wins 0 losses
By knockout 38 0
By decision 13 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
52 Win 51–0–1 South Africa Zolani Petelo KO 8(12), 1:32 Sep 29, 2001 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained IBF Light Flyweight title.
51 Win 50–0–1 Thailand Ratanapol Sor Vorapin TKO 3(12), 2:11 Dec 2, 2000 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained IBF Light Flyweight title.
50 Win 49–0–1 United States Will Grigsby UD 12 Oct 2, 1999 United States Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Won IBF Light Flyweight title.
49 Win 48–0–1 Nicaragua Rosendo Alvarez SD 12 Nov 13, 1998 United States Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Won WBA Minimumweight title.
WBC Minimumweight title not on the line as Alvarez was over weight limit.
48 Draw 47–0–1 Nicaragua Rosendo Alvarez TD 8(12) Mar 7, 1998 Mexico Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
For WBA Minimumweight title.
47 Win 47–0 Puerto Rico Alex Sánchez TKO 5(12), 1:58 Aug 23, 1997 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
Won WBO Minimumweight title.
46 Win 46–0 Thailand Mongkol Charoen UD 12 Mar 29, 1997 United States Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
45 Win 45–0 South Korea Myung-Sup Park TKO 1(12), 2:22 Dec 7, 1996 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
44 Win 44–0 South Africa Morgan Ndumo TKO 6(12), 0:55 Nov 9, 1996 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
43 Win 43–0 Thailand Kitichai Preecha KO 3(12), 1:46 Jun 29, 1996 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
42 Win 42–0 Philippines Edito “Ala” Villamor KO 8(12), 0:40 Mar 16, 1996 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
41 Win 41–0 Philippines Andy Tabanas TKO 12(12), 2:45 Apr 1, 1995 United States Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
40 Win 40–0 Colombia Yamil Caraballo TKO 1(12), 1:10 Dec 10, 1994 Mexico Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
39 Win 39–0 Mexico Javier Varguez TKO 8(12), 1:33 Nov 12, 1994 Mexico Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
38 Win 38–0 Thailand Surachai Saengmorakot TKO 1(12), 1:53 Sep 17, 1994 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
37 Win 37–0 Colombia Kermin Guardia UD 12 May 7, 1994 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
36 Win 36–0 Philippines Manny Melchor KO 11(12), 2:00 Dec 18, 1993 United States Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
35 Win 35–0 Thailand Toto Pongsawang TKO 11(12), 2:30 Sep 19, 1993 Thailand Capitol City Discotheque, Bangkok, Thailand Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
34 Win 34–0 Thailand Saman Sorjaturong TKO 2(12), 2:45 Jul 3, 1993 Mexico Parque la Junta, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
33 Win 33-0 South Korea Kwang-Soo Oh TKO 9(12) Jan 31, 1993 South Korea Indoor Gymnasium, Pohang City, South Korea Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
32 Win 32–0 Taiwan Rocky Lin KO 2(12) Oct 11, 1992 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
31 Win 31–0 Thailand Singprasert Kittikasem KO 5(12) Aug 22, 1992 Mexico Auditorio de Madero, Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
30 Win 30–0 Philippines Pretty Boy Lucas UD 12(12) Mar 16, 1992 Mexico Fronton Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
29 Win 29–0 South Korea Kyung-Yun Lee UD 12(12) Dec 21, 1991 South Korea Jamsil Arena, Seoul, South Korea Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
28 Win 28–0 Japan Kimio Hirano TKO 8(12) May 19, 1991 Japan Kusanagi Gymnasium, Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan Retained Lineal and WBC Minimumweight title.
27 Win 27–0 Japan Hideyuki Ohashi TKO 5(12) Oct 25, 1990 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won Lineal and WBC Minimumweight titles.
26 Win 26–0 Mexico Francisco Montiel UD 10(10) Jun 29, 1990 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
25 Win 25–0 Mexico Jorge Rivera KO 8(12) Mar 15, 1990 United States Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas Retained WBC Continental Americas Minimumweight title.
24 Win 24–0 Mexico Rey Hernandez KO 12(12) Nov 7, 1989 Mexico Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Won WBC Continental Americas Minimumweight title.
23 Win 23–0 Mexico Jose Luis Zepeda TKO 7(10) Aug 26, 1989 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
22 Win 22–0 Mexico Raymundo Ricardo Mendoza KO 5 Aug 4, 1989 Mexico Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico
21 Win 21–0 Mexico Abel Andres KO 2 Jul 8, 1989 Mexico León, Guanajuato, Mexico
20 Win 20–0 Mexico Jorge Torres KO 8 May 30, 1989 Mexico Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico
19 Win 19–0 Mexico Javier Juarez UD 10(10) May 6, 1989 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
18 Win 18–0 Mexico Ubaldo Gonzalez TKO 6 Jan 27, 1989 Mexico Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
17 Win 17–0 Mexico Ismael Benitez UD 10(10 Nov 12, 1988 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
16 Win 16–0 Mexico Evaristo Morales KO 5 Aug 27, 1988 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
15 Win 15–0 Mexico Fermin Rivera KO 3 Jul 30, 1988 Mexico Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico
14 Win 14–0 Mexico Javier Alonso UD 10(10) Aug 18, 1987 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
13 Win 13–0 Mexico Alex Mollado KO 1 Jul 31, 1987 Mexico Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
12 Win 12–0 Mexico Eduardo Ramirez UD 10(10) Apr 18, 1987 Mexico Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Mexico Herminio Ramirez UD 10(10) Dec 8, 1986 Mexico Tlalnepantla, México, México
10 Win 10–0 Mexico Jorge Flores KO 2 Oct 6, 1986 Mexico Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, Mexico
9 Win 9–0 Mexico Herminio Ramirez UD 10(10) Jul 28, 1986 Mexico Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, Mexico
8 Win 8–0 Mexico Santiago Huizar KO 2 May 1, 1986 Mexico Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
7 Win 7–0 Mexico Reyes Mendez KO 1 Mar 24, 1986 Mexico Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, Mexico
6 Win 6–0 Mexico Narciso Panchi KO 5 Aug 2, 1985 Mexico Arena Naucalpan, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
5 Win 5–0 Mexico Manuel Martinez KO 2 Jun 27, 1985 Mexico San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
4 Win 4–0 Mexico Javier Dominguez KO 3 Mar 8, 1985 Mexico Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Mexico Sebastian Reyes KO 2 Feb 18, 1985 Mexico Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 Mexico Antonio Arciniega KO 2 Feb 6, 1985 Mexico Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Mexico Rogelio Hernandez KO 3(4) Jan 18, 1985 Mexico Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

See also

References

  1. "Finito" López, un ejemplo de vida... y de deportista. pids.com.mx. July 25, 2011
  2. "Finito" Lopez Re-born. The Boxing Truth (January 30, 2010). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  3. ¡Finito López Jr. derrotó a Cruz en Ciudad México!. Notifight.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  4. "Ricardo López - Lineal Minimumweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  5. JORGE ARCE KO6 ROSENDO ALVAREZ. Fightwriter.com (April 10, 2006). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  6. Latino flavor for "World's Greatest Ever Boxers" promotion. Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  7. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mayweather-20150914-story.html
  8. Rodolfo Castr, José (February 2, 2009) Finito López: no todo es salvajismo en el boxeo. notifight.com
  9. Ricardo Lopez. Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved on March 16, 2014.
Achievements
Preceded by
Hideyuki Ohashi
WBC Minimumweight Champion
October 25, 1990–1999
Vacated
Succeeded by
Wandee Singwancha
Lineal Minimumweight Champion
October 25, 1990–1999
Vacated
Vacant
Preceded by
Alex Sánchez
WBO Minimumweight Champion
August 23, 1997 – March 7, 1998
Vacated
Succeeded by
Eric Jamili
Preceded by
Rosendo Alvarez
WBA Minimumweight Champion
November 13, 1998–1999
Vacated
Succeeded by
Noel Arambulet
Preceded by
Will Grigsby
IBF Light Flyweight Champion
October 2, 1999 – November 28, 2002
Retired
Victor Burgos
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