On this day, one of the greatest Mexican boxers ever was born Ricardo López. López is known for being a two-weight world champion and retiring without taking a loss in his professional career.
It was often said that for people to know the name of a great lower weight fighter they had to be a true legend, and 'Finito' was simply that as he moved mountains for the junior flyweights.
López held the WBC mini flyweight title for eight years from 1990 to 1998, defeating 21 opponents, which is a record in for that weight class. Lopez held the WBA and WBO mini flyweight titles between 1997 and 1998. López moved up in weight in 1999 and won the IBF junior flyweight title until he retires in 2001.
Lopez is best known for his power, as he recorded a ton of knockouts something that is uncommon at the lower weight classes.
The dream bout was always to see Lopez face Michael Carbajal, yet the fight never happened.
One of his most notable rivals was Rosendo Álvarez. The first time they fought it was ruled a technical draw due to a clash of heads. The rematch saw Alvarez, who came in heavy but lost a close split decision.
Lopez is regarded as one of the best Mexican fighters in the history of the sport of boxing, but also as one of the fighters that did the heavy lifting to get fans to watch the lower weight classes. Before Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, Sunny Edwards, and Juan Francisco Estrada - fighters like Lopez and Carbajal put it on the line to secure fights on network television. The modern flyweights have gotten some of the visibility they now receive in part to the pioneers of the division and 'Finito' Lopez is one of the fighters who put forth a fantastic effort to make strides for fighters who are often overlooked.
