
by David P. Greisman
A junior lightweight named Christopher Lopez is accused of stabbing his stepfather several times, and his mother believes that a head injury Lopez suffered in his most recent bout may be to blame for the attack, according to Florida newspapers the Orlando Sentinel and The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
The alleged attack happened Sunday. Lopez’s stepfather has since been released from the hospital. Lopez is facing a charge of attempted murder.
The 26-year-old had come into his parents’ bedroom and told them he wanted to retrieve something from their bathroom. Lopez remained in the bathroom for a bit, and so the stepfather decided to check on him. Lopez then allegedly yelled, “Stop hurting my mom” and stabbed his stepfather in the neck, shoulder and back, the articles said.
“Lopez's mother told deputies that her son's behavior changed drastically after he got a head injury in his last fight in August,” the Sentinel wrote. “Lopez was forced to retire from boxing after he suffered a concussion.”
The stepfather told the News-Journal: “He was doing really well until the fight in August. He came home different.”
Lopez turned pro in late 2011, winning his first five bouts before dropping a decision to an opponent named Jerren Cochran. He won two more, then was stopped in four rounds this past March by prospect Toka Kahn-Clary. In August, Lopez dropped a six-round decision to Lavisas Williams and fell to 7-3 with 2 KOs.
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