Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: Tony Lopez

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

July 3, 2011

In History's Spotlight: Tony Lopez

Born: Feb. 24, 1963

Known for: Tony Lopez was a three-time world champion boxer who compiled a 50-8-1 record with 34 knockouts. He was the first Sacramento-born fighter to win a world title.

Background: Lopez grew up in south Sacramento as a member of a boxing family. His father, Sal Lopez Sr., fought professionally as a lightweight in Southern California in the 1950s. His brother, Sal Jr., fought as a junior welterweight in the late 1970s and early '80s. Tony Lopez boasted a 29-1 record when he took on Rocky Lockridge for the IBF junior- lightweight title in July 1988 before 7,590 fans at the old, temporary Kings arena. Lopez was knocked down in the eighth round but recovered to dominate the final rounds and win a unanimous decision. He won nine other title fights, including a rematch against Lockridge, before retiring in 1999.

A highlight: In 1990, Lopez successfully defended his junior-lightweight title against Jorge Paez before an Arco Arena crowd of 15,008 and a gate of $601,000. For 10 years, both figures were state highs for a professional boxing match. His first fight against Lockridge was Ring Magazine's 1988 fight of the year.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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