Ricardo López
Born
Ricardo López Nava

(1966-07-25) July 25, 1966
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Other namesEl Finito ("The Refined")[1]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[2]
Reach64 in (163 cm)[2]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights52
Wins51
Wins by KO38
Draws1

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]

Amateur career

López 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

On 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

On 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

In 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. 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

In 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

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 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

López now works as a boxing broadcaster for the Mexican Televisa network.[13]

Honors

López 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

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

References

  1. ↑ "Finito" López, un ejemplo de vida... y de deportista. pids.com.mx. July 25, 2011
  2. 1 2 Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Will Grigsby fight.
  3. ↑ "Finito" Lopez Re-born. The Boxing Truth (January 30, 2010). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  4. ↑ ¡Finito López Jr. derrotó a Cruz en Ciudad México!. Notifight.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Ricardo López - Lineal Minimumweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  6. ↑ "A Long Day's Journey".
  7. ↑ JORGE ARCE KO6 ROSENDO ALVAREZ. Fightwriter.com (April 10, 2006). Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Battered Chavez plans to keep fighting". Reading Eagle. October 4, 1999. p. D5. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Lopez keeps title with eighth-round KO". The Times of Northwest Indiana. September 30, 2001. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Se retira Ricardo Lopez". El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Miami, Florida. November 28, 2002. Retrieved November 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Latino flavor for "World's Greatest Ever Boxers" promotion. Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Floyd Mayweather Jr. insists he's content at 49-0. Unless... - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. September 14, 2015.
  13. ↑ Rodolfo Castr, José (February 2, 2009) Finito López: no todo es salvajismo en el boxeo. notifight.com
  14. ↑ Ricardo Lopez. Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved on March 16, 2014.
  15. ↑ "World all minimumweight ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
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
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