Ricardo López Nava (born July 25, 1966) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2001. He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC mini flyweight title from 1990 to 1998, defending it against a record-breaking 21 opponents; the WBA and WBO mini flyweight titles between 1997 and 1998; and the IBF junior flyweight title from 1999 until his retirement in 2001. He is one of just fifteen world boxing champions to retire without a loss. He is the father of undefeated former boxer Alonso López.[3][4]
Ricardo López | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ricardo López Nava July 25, 1966 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico |
| Other names | El Finito ("The Refined")[2] |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[1] |
| Reach | 64 in (163 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 52 |
| Wins | 51 |
| Wins by KO | 38 |
| Draws | 1 |
Amateur career
editLópez would win four consecutive Guantes de Oro de México Championships from 1981 to 1984. He 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
editOn January 18, 1985, Ricardo made his professional debut at the age of 18 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 mini flyweight champion
editOn October 10, 1990, López defeated WBC and lineal mini flyweight champion Hideyuki Ohashi of Japan via fifth-round knockout to win his first world title.[5] In 1991, he defeated Korean former champion Kyung-Yung Lee (20–1) via Unanimous Decision. In 1992, he defended his title against Pretty Boy Lucas (22–2–2) of the Philippines via Unanimous Decision and Rocky Lin (14–0) of Taiwan via TKO. López started 1993 with a stoppage victory over amateur standout Kwang-Soo Oh and followed it with a knockout over future two-time champion Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand. Sorjaturong was knocked down once in the first round and twice in the second round before the referee stopped the bout.
Later that year, he knocked out Filipino former champion Manny Melchor in the eleventh round. In his tenth title defense, López defeated future champion Kermin Guardia (21–0) 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) of the Philippines via twelfth-round knockout. In his next bout, he defeated another Filipino boxer and founder of the famous "Ala Gym" Ala Villamor (29–1–1) by knockout. In early 1997, there had been a plan in the works for López to move up in weight to challenge junior flyweight champion Michael Carbajal, however, the plan was upended when Carbajal lost his title in an upset loss.[6] López would go on to defend his title against Mongkol Charoen (20–1).
WBO and WBA mini flyweight champion
editIn his 20th world title bout, López unified his WBC title by defeating WBO mini flyweight champion Alex Sánchez (25–1) of Puerto Rico via fifth-round knockout. After López won the WBO title, he said he wanted to give his championship belt to his father, who is a boxing fan. His statement to Mexican newspapers prompted the organization to take away López' title and sanction a match between Eric Jamili and Mickey Cantwell to fill the vacancy. "It was enough for us," said the WBO president, Francisco Valcarcel, of López' intention. "That's a public resignation." Dwight Manley, López' agent, said López should have had a hearing before the WBO took away his title. "He got no letter, he got no telephone call," Manley said.
On March 7, 1998, López fought undefeated WBA mini flyweight champion Rosendo Álvarez to a technical draw after referee Arthur Mercante Sr. stopped the contest following an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round. This fight was part of undercard featured Julio César Chávez vs. Miguel Ángel González for the vacant WBC super lightweight title. In the rematch, Álvarez came in over the mini flyweight 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 Álvarez with only López eligible to claim the now vacant WBA title. López defeated Álvarez by split decision to claim his third mini flyweight title.[7] After the fight, he vacated his titles in order to move up in weight.
IBF junior flyweight champion
editIn his first bout at junior flyweight, López defeated IBF champion Will Grigsby of the U.S. by Unanimous Decision.[8] He defended his title against former champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin by knocked out in the 3rd Round. On September 29, 2001, López knocked out Zolani Petelo in the eighth round,[9] who had recently vacated his IBF mini flyweight title, the only mini flyweight title that López had not claimed before moving up in weight. He officially announced his retirement from boxing at a press conference on November 27, 2002, in Mexico City.[10]
Retirement
editRicardo 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 most consecutive title bouts without a loss (twenty-six).[11][12] This streak began with his knockout of Hideyuki Ohashi to win the WBC mini flyweight title in 1990 and ended with his knockout of Zolani Petelo to defend his IBF junior flyweight title in 2001. Ricardo only had one draw, which came against Rosendo Álvarez in 1998 in López'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
editLópez now works as a boxing broadcaster for the Mexican Televisa network.[13]
Honors
editLópez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.[14]
Ricardo "El Finito" López was voted as the greatest Strawweight and Light Flyweight Champion ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014, while BoxRec rates him the best Minimumweight of all time.[15] The Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame is a voting body composed entirely of current and former fighters.
Professional boxing record
edit| 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 | Zolani Petelo | KO | 8 (12), 1:32 | Sep 29, 2001 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained IBF junior flyweight title |
| 51 | Win | 50–0–1 | Ratanapol Sor Vorapin | TKO | 3 (12), 2:11 | Dec 2, 2000 | Mandalay Bay, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF junior flyweight title |
| 50 | Win | 49–0–1 | Will Grigsby | UD | 12 | Oct 2, 1999 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Won IBF junior flyweight title |
| 49 | Win | 48–0–1 | Rosendo Álvarez | SD | 12 | Nov 13, 1998 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title; Won vacant WBA mini flyweight title |
| 48 | Draw | 47–0–1 | Rosendo Álvarez | TD | 8 (12) | Mar 7, 1998 | Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight titles; For WBA mini flyweight title |
| 47 | Win | 47–0 | Alex Sánchez | TKO | 5 (12), 1:58 | Aug 23, 1997 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title; Won WBO mini flyweight title |
| 46 | Win | 46–0 | Mongkol Charoen | UD | 12 | Mar 29, 1997 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 45 | Win | 45–0 | Myung-Sup Park | TKO | 1 (12), 2:22 | Dec 7, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 44 | Win | 44–0 | Morgan Ndumo | TKO | 6 (12), 0:55 | Nov 9, 1996 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 43 | Win | 43–0 | Kitichai Preecha | TKO | 3 (12), 1:46 | Jun 29, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 42–0 | Edito “Ala” Villamor | TKO | 8 (12), 0:40 | Mar 16, 1996 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 41–0 | Andy Tabanas | TKO | 12 (12), 2:45 | Apr 1, 1995 | Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 40–0 | Yamil Caraballo | TKO | 1 (12), 1:10 | Dec 10, 1994 | Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 39 | Win | 39–0 | Javier Varguez | TKO | 8 (12), 1:33 | Nov 12, 1994 | Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 38–0 | Surachai Saengmorakot | TKO | 1 (12), 1:53 | Sep 17, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 37 | Win | 37–0 | Kermin Guardia | UD | 12 | May 7, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Manny Melchor | KO | 11 (12), 2:00 | Dec 18, 1993 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Toto Pongsawang | TKO | 11 (12), 2:30 | Sep 19, 1993 | Capitol City Discotheque, Bangkok, Thailand | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Saman Sorjaturong | TKO | 2 (12), 2:45 | Jul 3, 1993 | Parque la Junta, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Kwang-Soo Oh | TKO | 9 (12) | Jan 31, 1993 | Indoor Gymnasium, Pohang, South Korea | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Rocky Lin | TKO | 2 (12) | Oct 11, 1992 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Singprasert Kittikasem | TKO | 5 (12) | Aug 22, 1992 | Auditorio Americo Villareal, Ciudad Madero, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Pretty Boy Lucas | UD | 12 | Mar 16, 1992 | Fronton Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Kyung-Yun Lee | UD | 12 | Dec 21, 1991 | Jamsil Arena, Seoul, South Korea | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Kimio Hirano | TKO | 8 (12) | May 19, 1991 | Kusanagi Gymnasium, Shizuoka, Japan | Retained WBC mini flyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Hideyuki Ohashi | TKO | 5 (12) | Oct 25, 1990 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBC mini flyweight title |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Francisco Montiel | UD | 10 (10) | Jun 29, 1990 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Jorge Rivera | KO | 8 (12) | Mar 15, 1990 | Fairmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas, U.S. | Retained WBC Continental Americas mini flyweight title |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Rey Hernandez | KO | 12 (12) | Nov 7, 1989 | Arena México, Mexico City, Mexico | Won WBC Continental Americas mini flyweight title |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Jose Luis Zepeda | TKO | 7 (10) | Aug 26, 1989 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Raymundo Ricardo Mendoza | KO | 5 | Aug 4, 1989 | Tulancingo, Mexico | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Abel Andres | KO | 2 | Jul 8, 1989 | León, Mexico | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Jorge Torres | KO | 8 | May 30, 1989 | Guasave, Mexico | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Javier Juarez | UD | 10 (10) | May 6, 1989 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Ubaldo Gonzalez | TKO | 6 | Jan 27, 1989 | Mazatlán, Mexico | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Ismael Benitez | UD | 10 (10) | Nov 12, 1988 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Evaristo Morales | KO | 5 | Aug 27, 1988 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Fermin Rivera | KO | 3 | Jul 30, 1988 | Zacapu, Mexico | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Javier Alonso | UD | 10 (10) | Aug 18, 1987 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Alex Mollado | KO | 1 | Jul 31, 1987 | Acapulco, Mexico | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Eduardo Ramirez | UD | 10 (10) | Apr 18, 1987 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Herminio Ramirez | UD | 10 (10) | Dec 8, 1986 | Tlalnepantla, Mexico | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jorge Flores | KO | 2 | Oct 6, 1986 | Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Herminio Ramirez | UD | 10 (10) | Jul 28, 1986 | Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Santiago Huizar | KO | 2 | May 1, 1986 | Zacatecas City, Mexico | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Reyes Mendez | KO | 1 | Mar 24, 1986 | Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Narciso Panchi | KO | 5 | Aug 2, 1985 | Arena Naucalpan, Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Manuel Martinez | KO | 2 | Jun 27, 1985 | San Luis Potosí City, Mexico | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Javier Dominguez | KO | 3 | Mar 8, 1985 | Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Sebastian Reyes | KO | 2 | Feb 18, 1985 | Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Antonio Arciniega | KO | 2 | Feb 6, 1985 | Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Rogelio Hernandez | KO | 3 (4) | Jan 18, 1985 | Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Will Grigsby fight.
- ^ "Finito" López, un ejemplo de vida... y de deportista. pids.com.mx. July 25, 2011
- ^ "Finito" Lopez Re-born Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. The Boxing Truth (January 30, 2010). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
- ^ ¡Finito López Jr. derrotó a Cruz en Ciudad México! Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Notifight.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
- ^ "Ricardo López - Lineal Minimumweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ "A Long Day's Journey".
- ^ JORGE ARCE KO6 ROSENDO ALVAREZ. Fightwriter.com (April 10, 2006). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
- ^ "Battered Chavez plans to keep fighting". Reading Eagle. October 4, 1999. p. D5. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ "Lopez keeps title with eighth-round KO". The Times of Northwest Indiana. September 30, 2001. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ "Se retira Ricardo Lopez". El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Miami, Florida. November 28, 2002. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Latino flavor for "World's Greatest Ever Boxers" promotion. Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
- ^ "Floyd Mayweather Jr. insists he's content at 49-0. Unless... - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 2015.
- ^ Rodolfo Castr, José (February 2, 2009) Finito López: no todo es salvajismo en el boxeo Archived March 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. notifight.com
- ^ Ricardo Lopez. Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved on March 16, 2014.
- ^ "World all minimumweight ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Ricardo Lopez from BoxRec (registration required)
- Official website
- Ricardo López - CBZ Profile
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major world boxing titles | ||||
| Preceded by | WBC mini flyweight champion October 25, 1990 – September 28, 1999 Stripped |
Vacant Title next held by Wandee Singwancha
| ||
| Preceded by | WBO mini flyweight champion August 23, 1997 – August 1997 Stripped |
Vacant Title next held by Eric Jamili
| ||
| Preceded by | WBA mini flyweight champion November 13, 1998 – July 1999 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Noel Arambulet
| ||
| Preceded by | IBF junior flyweight champion October 2, 1999 – November 27, 2002 Retired |
Vacant Title next held by Víctor Burgos
| ||