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Arizona Boxing News & Notes: Lopez Remembered, Trotter Spars Alvarez & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sun, 05 Apr 2015 Boxing Fans, The Arizona Boxing Community has lost an honored member. Steven Peter Lopez, Boxing & Entertainment Promoter, shrewd businessman and loving parent (teenage son-Pedro) passed on March 20, 2015 at Phoenix?s St. Joseph Hospital after a painful, intense and courageous battle with throat Cancer. Lopez was an Olympic styled wrestler in college, but Cancer was the one opponent he couldn?t pin for a 3 count. He told people that, jokingly, ?he was the poster child for Cancer? because he surpassed Doctors early prognosis and preserved several years after his initial ?terminal? diagnosis. Steve?s boxing accomplishments are impressive. He loved the sport, but sometimes he became impatient with the players who controlled the game. On October 18, 1989, Steve and his childhood friend (Wes Melton) opened Tuff Side Boxing Gym located where the Central Boxing Gym operates today on Van Buren & 17th Avenue in Phoenix; formerly it was known as Madison Boxing after Tuff Side moved to the south side of Phoenix into a Yellowfront store and started anew. The mission remained the same. Wes and Steve remained the closest friends until Steve?s passing. They attended Phoenix College together and both men competed against each other in school sanctioned sports activities. Wes attended Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix while Steve received his diploma from Phoenix?s West High. According to Wes, they would disagree from time to time, but their loyalty to each other was never questioned. I asked Melton if there was one attribute Lopez should be remembered for and Melton without hesitation replied ?Big Heart.? On a historical note, Tuff Side was converted from a dilapidated 1925 era store/restaurant into a non-profit (501 c-3) first class gym that allowed neighborhood kids to use the facility free of charge. The majority of the members were at risk youth who thought they drew the short straw in life. Tuff Side gave them a fighting chance to redeem themselves. The Phoenix New Times did a feature story on Tuff Side in1990 and future WBO Heavyweight Champion Carlos Barnett, a Tuff Side disciple, was mentioned in the New Times article. In recent years, other gyms have adopted the Tuff Side approach to helping kids. Idle hands can find mischief easier than busy hands can. After two ?three months past the grand opening, Melton?s Brother-In Law (Tony de la Paz) bought out Steve?s share of Tuff Side. Lopez concentrated on Advertising and in 1992 served as Top Rank?s Arizona Promoter for ?Duel in The Desert 1 on December 12, 1992. More than 17,000 wild and crazy boxing fans streamed into the arena to watch 4 gifted warriors: Michael Carbajal, Oscar De La Hoya, Tommy Morrison and Scotty ?The Bulldog? Olson put on a show still talked about today. Top Rank would follow Duel 1 with 2 more but neither of the latter 2 shows would equal the first event in quality of performance and attendance. Mr. Lopez declined to participate in the Duel sequels over a dispute with Top Rank. In 2011, despite battling cancer, Lopez lent a hand to Fan Base Promotions in promoting Phoenix fighter Jesus ?El Martillo? Gonzales fight against Francisco Sierra for the vacant NABF Super Middleweight Title. Steve helped Fan Base secure the US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena) in Phoenix as the venue and then he served as advisor for the event which drew about 7,000 fans who witnessed local pugilist Gonzales capture the title with a 12 round unanimous decision; the Lopez PR magic was still in intact. Upon hearing about the passing of Mr. Lopez, Fan Base Promotions spokesperson Henri Westcott issued the following statement on behalf of their company CEO who knew and respected Mr. Lopez: ?Steve Lopez was a very smart man with a heart as big as his ?type a personality?. He was a father who loved his son ?Pedro? and made sure they always had a good time together regardless how poor his health was. Steve survived stage four cancers when he was written off by doctors and other skeptics. There were even a few individuals that were shocked when Steve Lopez showed up to collect debts that were owed him. More than likely, they thought they had escaped the debts dud his poor health. He promoted the Duel I n the Desert 1 at America West Arena in Phoenix and put 17 thousand fans in the venue; I doubt that boxing feat will be ever matched in Phoenix. He was part of a small dedicated team that built and opened the facility now known as the Central Boxing which game young Phoenix based fighters such as Jesus Gonzales and Rafael Valenzuela an opportunity to display their talents. He was instrumental in bringing in the FBP Friday Night Card to US Airways Center on July 8, 2011. He was a true honest business man and human being that wanted no credit for what he did while all the ?losers? lined dup to take credit for pats or points they didn?t earn. Steve was different in that way; he did so much, but always did it for the end goal and the team. In completing my epitaph, I remember him always asking ?Who has bought you dinner lately? And I can proudly state that he (Steve Lopez) was one of few people who ever bought me dinner! Rest in Peace, Steve?FBP! Services for Mr. Lopez were held on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home , Phoenix, Arizona. Donations can be made to the Children?s Diabetes Foundation at: www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org Please send tributes to www.ALMoore-Grimshawcom He is survived by his soul mate and companion Len Lai, son Pedro Lopez of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and numerous friends and additional family members. The weather forecast for the service is expected in the low-med. 80?s. Saul Alvarez: Someone sent me a picture of a boxer wearing headgear and asked me to identify him. I sent the pic over to my photo forensic specialist and together we determined the boxer in the photo was Irish Canadian Boxer Janks Trotter (9-1-1 who was reportedly MIA after winning a Middleweight title belt in Calgary, Alberta Canada on July 6. I then asked where this photo was taken and the answer was San Diego. According to my sources, Trotter has been sparring with Canelo Alvarez ( 44-1)in his preparation for Alvarez?s May 9 fight with James Kirkland (32-1) shown on HBO Championship Boxing at 9pm ET/PT live form Minute Maid Park in Houston Texas. Tickets went on sale, March 31. If you dare waiting for my pick, here it is: Alvarez in 6. As for the location, I can?t disclose; otherwise I will have to disappear permanently, just kidding. Trotter 9-1-1) is a good fighter and I hope his sparring with Alvarez will be a positive break for him; so he can fight more often. Team Trotter says everyone is scared to fight the 30 year old Trotter who is a fitness freak. All of his nine wins are by way of knockout. This is crossroads time for Trotter who at 30 must decide if he step up and becomes more active in the ring or does hang the gloves up and continue to climb oil derricks in Alberta, Canada. Fight 2 Win: According to Box-Rec, Abel Ramos, 10-0-2, is on the Fight 2 Win card at the Phoenix Convention on April 11, but he has no opponent, yet. The super lightweight faced the same problem with last month?s Fight Hard Card in Glendale after personally selling more than 200 tickets to friends and relatives. Hopefully, matchmaker Edward Rodriquez can find Ramos a foe, so fans can see one of Arizona?s most popular boxers in action. Here is the expected lineup of fights. All bouts are subject to change. VIP seating Tickets can be purchased by calling 602-252-0553. Remember, doors open at 6 pm on Saturday, April 11. (1) Prince Smalls 6-0-2 vs. Jazzman Hogue 3-7-1 6 (6) featherweights (2)Walter Santibanes 8-2 vs. Sergio Najera 9-17-2 (6) bantamweights (3) Tim Riddell 3-0 versus Percy Peterson 1-6-1 (4) lightweights (4) Ryan Riddell (Debut) vs. Fernando Alvarez 0-1 (4) bantamweights (5)Ray Lampkin 6-0 vs. Mario Hermosillo 12-18-4 (4) lightweights (6) Jesse Ruiz 0-2 vs. Mulapi Enjani 1-0-1 (4) super bantamweights (7) David Damore 0-0-3 vs. James Reynolds 0-4 (4) Cruiserweights (8) James Stewart 0-1 vs. Johnny Rivera 1-1 (4) (9) Cesar Barraza vs. Billy Schmidt (4) Light heavyweights???? Short Jabs: David Benavidez sparred with Billy Schmidt at Central and Benavidez was getting the best of the tough veteran according to ring observers. David (7-0) is fighting cagey 49 year old veteran Rollin Williams 23-20-2 on April 25 at the Celebrity Theatre??..Juan Marquez, Emilio Garcia and Carlos Castro were also hanging out. All three fighters were at the Central boxing staying fit for their bouts on the Iron Boy 20 Card. Rumors haveit that James McGirt aka buddy Jr. has been added to the card. Good news, Joey Ruelas is healthy and ready for is April 25 return to ring action at the celebrity. More names on the Iron Boy Card include: heavy weight newcomers Bernardo?Tarzan? Marquez vs. Anetelea Opetai, Phoenix sensation Francisco C. de Vaca, Daniel Garcia, Undefeated Victor Castro, Daniel Montoya, fast rising Alexis Zazueta, Jesus Aguinaga, Junior Rodriguez and Daron ?Sweet Tay? Williams. Tickets are available at the Celebrity Theater Box Office or through the Iron Boy Website. Doors will open at 5:30 and the early bird gets he best parking space Cinco De Mayo: The 22 annual Cinco De Mayo Festival will include amateur boxing, music, Scholarships, dancing and fun for the entire family. This year the special musical entertainment will come from National recording artist Ginuwine and the legendary group, Tower of Power. Ginuwine will perform on Saturday May2 and fans can catch Tower of Power on Sunday, May 3. As usual the festival offers games, free prizes and admission is very affordable. People wanting to inquire about volunteering or advertising a product can go to the Cinco De Mayo Festival website for details. Price of admission is $5.00 before 5 pm and $15.00 after 5pm. What a difference a minute makes. Check it out and please arrive early. Last words Canadian fighter Kyle Oliveria (0-1) will fight Killer Jackson (Debut) in Winnipeg, Canada at club Regent Casino on April 30?.Luis Olivares returned to action on March 27 and was supposed to fight Christian Steele in Florida, instead his Gator land matchup was with Jeffery Ramos and Box-Rec recorded a win for Luis and the bout obviously ended after the 3rd round of the scheduled 6, but there was nothing to indicate why! It wasn?t listed as a knockout, TKO, Split decision, Unanimous Decision or Majority decision?.... PPV cost for Manny Vs. Floyd fight will cost $89.00 for Standard hookup and $99.00 for High Definition ?.most bars and restaurants will ask $20-$25.00 at the door except Twin Peaks on Camelback Road in Phoenix. Franchisees Andy and Carolyn are asking &15.00 + a $10.00 minimum purchase consisting of food or drink. Off to Prison: Former Arizona professional boxer Juan Antonio Suazo (8-7-3 w/ 5 knockouts) is now serving a 7 year sentence in Federal Prison for marijuana trafficking. The 34 year old Suazo was also fined $15,000.00 in the case. The announcement was posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015, the day of my birthday celebration; for the record, Juan wasn?t invited to my party. Suazo pleaded guilty last December (2014) to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of Marijuana. In 2009, prosecutors believe the former Tucson, Arizona boxer supplied 300-350-pound loads of marijuana on multiple occasions to buyers for distribution in Nebraska and several unnamed states. The convicted dealer allegedly received more than $ 3 million in return. Mr. Suazo boxed professionally from 2001 to 2012, losing his final three bouts. Boxing News: Former Arizona Boxer Chris Lopez, retired due to a ring related head injury, is free on bail after stabbing his stepfather in Florida. Lopez goes to court on April 21.His friends in Arizona are hoping he gets a second chance. The 25 year old is free on $4,800.00 bail until a judge and/ or jury decides his fate. Smoker Boxing Tournament at the Kroc Corps Community Center (1375 E. Broadway Road) in Phoenix, Arizona on April 18; weigh-in time is scheduled for 8am-10am, match-up time, 10am-11am and bouts begin at 2pm. According to the flyer, up to 32 bouts are planned; go to USA Boxing AZ for more info or call the Center at 602-425-5000. Boxing Mentor Damien Stone scheduled appearance for 3/24/15 in Maricopa County Superior Court was moved to 4/29/15. The sexual solicitation charge was filed almost one year ago and Mr. Stone stands accused of propositioning an undercover female police officer who posed as a 16 year old. He was one of several men charged in a highly publicized sting operation in 2013 of sexual misconduct; a plea agreement was reached. The 41 year old Mr. Stone was a member of USA Boxing Arizona until his two arrests prompted USA Boxing to lift his membership. His boxing facility (Stonehard Boxing Gym) was forcibly closed after a public outcry over his alleged and reported behavior persuaded the owner of the property to cancel the lease with Mister Stone. Internationally known referee Wes Melton, a Phoenix resident, will play a featured role in ?Making of A Champion, a series of episodes set for filming don May 12 at the Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix. It is not known if Central Gym Manager Tom Garcia will play a role in the production. Until Next Time Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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