Not a Family Affair -Crossroads
Battle for Lopez vs. Lopez set for April 17
March 16, 2009
(MAR 16) ORANGE, CA – The collision
course for two bright young stars is set for what could be an explosive
Fight of the Year candidate, a bout that might decide the future of
these two heavy punchers.
On Friday, April 17, Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Fox
Sports Espaņol, will feature the clash between Riverside’s, Jose Lopez
against Venezuelan Patrick “El Elegante” Lopez in an eight round battle
at the Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, California.
Jose Lopez (23-3, 14 KOs) is the former WBC Continental Americas and WBC
Youth Lightweight champion. His most notable fights have rendered mixed
results. He proved to be too tough for Tyrone Harris on “SHOBOX: The New
Generation” on November 2007 as he won an eight round unanimous
decision. He then moved to the jr. welterweight division and fought
Edgar Santana on the main event of SHOBOX on April 2008. Jose Lopez was
able knock Santana down twice in the eight round but felt the rigorous
weight difference and lost a razor sharp majority decision.
“I felt fine until the later rounds, I had some trouble with blurred
vision during the fight but I lost it fair and square,” said Lopez of
his fight against Santana. “Now I am more confident at that division and
I am more than ready for Patrick Lopez, he has no clue how tough this
fight will be,” concluded Jose Lopez.
A different path marked the career of Patrick Lopez (15-1, 10 KOs) who
participated in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and was the captain of the
always-competitive Venezuelan team. Jose Lopez could be his toughest
test to date. He has progressively improved his trade and his most
notable fight was a unanimous decision victory over rugged Joaquin
Gallardo on June 2008 on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
“I am a natural jr. welterweight. I have power, speed and I love to mix
it up with brave Mexican fighters,” said Lopez from his training camp in
Londonderry, New Hampshire. “Jose Lopez is a good fighter, but I don’t
think he can be such a huge threat to me. We’ll see who is the last man
standing,” concluded Patrick Lopez.
Promoter Ken Thompson, who expects another sell out crowd on April 17,
stated: “Styles make fights, and Jose and Patrick should be a toe to
toe, don’t blink, barnburner main event. We are committed to present
great match ups and this fight will bring the best and worst of these
two warriors.”
April 17 will also mark the return of talented Riato’s super
featherweight Dominic Salcido (17-1, 9 KOs) when he faces St. Louis’
southpaw Leon Bobo (18-2, 2 KOs) in the co-main event of this momentous
evening.
Salcido is coming off a fifth round technical knock out victory over
trial horse Celestino Rodriguez last November, in what was his return to
the ring after suffering a KO loss to Vicente Escobedo (Sept. 2008) on
the main event of Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo.”
“I am back. The Escobedo fight is in the past, is now time to make my
move on the division and show everybody I can be a top contender,” said
Salcido who recently became a father. “I am inspired and ready to go,”
concluded Salcido.
His opponent, Leon Bobo, had two straight victories and a draw in his
last three fights. The crafty southpaw raked up a 16-0 tally before
facing more experienced Antonio Davis and Jorge Lacierva, his only two
losses to date.
Also featured on the show will be two other Thompson Boxing bright
stars. Undefeated jr. welterweight Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (9-0, 5
KOs) and blazing fast featherweight Abraham Lopez (6-0, 5 KOs) will face
opponents to be named shortly. Both prospects deposed of their opponents
on their last outing back in February.
Tickets for LOPEZ vs. LOPEZ are available for purchase at a price of
$75, $45 and $30 and can be obtained by calling Thompson Boxing
Promotions at 714-935-0900 or by visiting thompsonboxing.com.
This unforgettable night of boxing action will begin at 7:45 PM. Doors
open at 6:30 PM. The Doubletree Hotel is located on 222 N. Vineyard
Avenue, Ontario, CA.
