By Jake Donovan
The main event for tonight's Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecast (8PM ET/PT) suggests the normal formula; an undefeated prospect on the verge of advancing to contender status, facing an upset-minded divisional trialhorse on the wrong side of his prime.
Of course, it only looks to follow the script. Looks can be deceiving; nobody knows that better than resurging middleweight David "The Destroyer" Lopez (34-12, 22KO), who goes for his 11th straight win as he takes on undefeated Michael Walker in Fort Worth, TX.
Lopez looked like just another journeyman when he was summoned to welcome back to the sport then-unbeaten Lonnie Bradley in late 2003. A former middleweight titlist, Bradley was fighting for only the second time in four years while rehabbing a detached retina.
On paper, it appeared to be a solid test while getting reacquainted with the ring, but Bradley found out the hard way that he messed with the wrong Mexican that evening. The New Yorker was never in the fight, as Lopez attacked from jump, and didn't let up until the bout was mercifully stopped midway through the 7th round.
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Lopez' big win over Bradley came on ESPN2 at Tucson's Desert Diamond Casino, in an event promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard in his pre-Contender days. Five months later, Leonard would show why he's in the Hall of Fame as a fighter and not a promoter, matching up Lopez against his undefeated thoroughbred, 2000 Olympian Jerson Ravelo, who was 13-0 at the time.
Same venue, same network… same result.
A 9th round stoppage was Lopez' 4th straight win after having began the previous year at a dismal 19-11, the very definition of a career-resurrection. The only problem with scoring back-to-back upset knockout wins is that eventually the rest of the industry gets the hint. As such, Lopez had a hard time securing fights, at least against similar opposition.
Golden Boy Promotions did their best to keep the Mexican banger a happy camper. A January 2005 Boxeo de Oro card was headlined by Lopez, as he took on the equally hard-hitting Fulgencio Zuniga. The bout was a donnybrook throughout, with a 7th round knockdown providing Lopez a slim lead on the scorecards heading into the final round.
Then disaster struck.
Zuniga scored a knockdown early in the round to turn the tide. Lopez recovered, but was never quite back in the fight. The dramatic turn of events prompted announcer (and fighter) Raul Marquez to begin screaming "Que esta pasando?" (What is happening?). Lopez had to ask himself the same thing, as he was pummeled along the ropes and eventually to the canvas before the bout was waved off with just a minute to go.
He's since scored ten straight wins, though mostly under the radar. A 2006 knockout win over Epifanio Mendoza, in the same arena as tonight's fight (Sundance Square, Ft. Worth, TX), is the best among the lot.
That's the life you lead when you develop a reputation as an "0" snatcher.
So who forgot to warn Michael Walker?
The Chicago-based middleweight showed his mettle earlier this year, accepting a very late assignment against faded former world title challenger Antwun Echols on ESPN2. How late? There was no opponent for the show until Walker agreed to the fight on less than 24 hours notice, replacing Allan Green who inexplicably went AWOL.
Walker (18-0-2, 12KO) darted out to an early lead before allowing the fight to become competitive as the evening wore on. It appeared to be a combination of inadequate conditioning (understandable given the circumstances) and lack of experience beyond the club level; whatever the case, things became damn interesting in the middle rounds and heading down the final stretch.
It was then that Walker showed his grit, finishing strong to seemingly pull out a close decision. None of the judges agreed; one card inexplicably had Echols winning 8 out of 10 rounds, while the other two saw things even, leaving Walker forced to settle for a majority draw.
With Echols on the downside of his career, some suggested that there wasn't much to get excited over regarding Walker. An obtuse way of looking at things, with more objective onlookers firmly believing that with a full training camp, a legitimate contender is upon us.
The Chicagoan gets to put up or shut up tonight, with Lopez still dangerous even as he enters the twilight of his career. To Walker's credit, he comes back matched tough while most would've eased their way back into the win column before seeking such a fight.
Walker isn't like most fighters. As early as last summer, it was agreed upon by his team, which includes local promoter Octavious James, that he was beyond the club level and was ripe for career advancement. It was decided after his fight with Dante Craig last summer on the non-televised undercard of the David Diaz-Erik Morales PPV card.
One In A Million Inc. thought Craig would provide a stiffer challenge than what turned out to be the case. Walker was ready for what he considered a step up, violently turning away the 2000 Olympian in the 2nd round. Bigger and better was to follow, only for Team Walker to have problems getting potential opponents to answer their phone.
Apparently world got to Nogales, Mexico that he was in the market. Perhaps it should've been the first place Walker looked if he was that hard up for suitable opposition.
Given Lopez' reputation for feasting on undefeated middleweights, perhaps it should've been the last place to look.
We find out tonight; another Friday night, another chance for Lopez to make an "0" go to one.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Comments/questions can be submitted to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
