MASHANTUCKET, Conn. – For the second time in a year, “Hammerin’” Hank Lundy captured a championship on national television. Now he’s ready to take on the best in the world in the lightweight division. Photos by Emily Harney
“Anybody at 135 [pounds] – WBA, WBC, IBF – bring ‘em on,” Lundy said Friday after beating Patrick Lopez, 99-91, 97-92, 95-94, for the vacant NABF lightweight title in the main event of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” at the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Fox Theater.
“‘Hammerin’ Hank don’t fight bums. I don’t run from anybody. As you saw tonight, I fight the best fighters in the world. These guys with the belts don’t want to fight anybody. What more do I have to do? I’m willing to fight anybody in the world, and I think the guys with the belts should do the same.”
As for Lundy (20-1-1, 10 KOs), Friday marked his 10th win in his last 11 fights with the last four coming on national television. Almost a year ago to the date, Lundy outlasted Tyrese Hendrix in Memphis, Tenn., for the vacant NABO lightweight title. Now he’s the reigning NABF lightweight champion with an eye on an even bigger prize.
“The champions need to fight me,” Lundy said. “Bring them to me and we’ll rumble.”
On Friday night, Lundy utilized his jab and fought a patient fight against Lopez, a former two-time Venezuelan Olympian noted for his ability to land hard shots to the body. Lundy dropped Lopez (20-4, 12 KOs) with a short right hook in the second round and dominated the middle rounds before Lopez fought back toward the end.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Lundy said of Lopez. “One hundred and thirty-five pounds? They need to put that sucker at welterweight! I knew he’d come to fight. My plan was to utilize my jab and hit him with angle punches. When I knocked him down, I hit him with an angle punch. I’m all business. Anyone who watches ‘Hammerin’’ Hank knows I’m focused and everyone knows you can’t handle a focused ‘Hammerin’’ Hank. The world will soon see.”
