Eddie "The Animal" Lopez - From The Streets of East Los Angeles to the Ring

[@javierHernandez-sm5wb]

Eddie was my childhood homeboy.he was wild in his youth.i really miss him alot.may God rest your soul animal

[@constantine7382]

I had no idea he had passed? Very sad.

[@leftys408]

Another outstanding video in this series. Another "what could have been" story about a fighter who simply didn't or couldn't do what he needed to do in order to advance in his career. All professions have these stories, but there's something about the fight game, at least to me, that makes these stories so much more compelling. Eddie needed someone in his life to draw him away from the street life. The fact that he lived to 60 shows how tough he really was. RIP.

[@constantine7382]

When he fought Cooney, Ring magazine called him the hardest heavyweight to knock out in the division. He proved it that day for sure. I had no idea he had passed. R.I.P.

[@alfredlopez1377]

This is my Uncle , grew up like brothers. "BEAR" I Love & Miss You !!!!!! Hank the Krank (Purple). Thank you for the Bio. Blessings

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Alfred. Much respect to the Lopez family.

[@BoxingWave]

Just subscribed, Boxing Beats & Rhymes sent me here. Look forward to the videos!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Twobears49]

Sonny Aka Eddie was a mentor and us kids looked up to him . His fame never changed him , last time i saw him was 1980 when i was on leave from the Marines he was staying with his mom in H.P i spent the afternoon whit him. I have nothing but love for that man.

[@JLee-bi4es]

Great documentary, I never knew about this guy but kind of reminds me of a heavyweight from the 90s that was a gang member Alex Garcia "the San Fernando hammer"

[@johnjamele]

except that Alex Garcia couldn't take a punch!

[@kelliejohnson3050]

@@johnjamele Lopez also fought much more accomplished fighters than Garcia.

[@johnjamele]

@@kelliejohnson3050 that's true too. Garcia never got beyond the prospect stage.

[@edwardrosado9974]

Alex Garcia looked more of a heavy weight and stronger i met both of them before Rest in Peace 🙏 Animal Lopez 🙏

[@narcisoibarra1916]

Eddy , much love.... You are the cream of the crop. An innovator in your own right. Back in the day when guys like you and your style were un heard of. You deserve a place in our Rosa's History. Carnal you are a step beyond. Thank for representing our Rosa. You repersted in a time ; When Raza was unheard of. God bless you. You should be respected throughout out our Reza history. Mr. Lopez thanks for representing our roza.. .... Your family should hold their heads high..... You truly repersted. A kid from California.... Who did it well. Your Familia has much to smile about .

[@SuperTommyi]

Thank you for this one. Eddie was one of my favorite fighters back in the late 1970's and earlier 1980's. I wish someone had the fight of him and Cooney.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Yeah, I wish I had that one.

[@martinluckhurst9808]

Eddie came down to San Diego 5th Ave boxing club and had no one to spar in his weight so he saw me hitting the bag and we got friendly started talking. Really funny and pleasant to talk to so I said hey look I'll move around with you(I was 165) he went easy on me but smooth in his moves and didn't put any power to his punches. I had a good time and learned a lot. But you could tell he was hardcore and he praised my ability to take some shots and give. For a fat guy at the time(he gained some weight) he could move! I still can hear him laugh in the back locker room! Rest easy Animal

[@bennyadler5882]

Did you hear about when Eric Bonilla tried awakening him to run while living in 5th Ave club? Eric threw cold water on Animal, Eddie gets up with a pistol and starts shooting at him leading to a chase down "K" Street. SDPD never found out who fired shots.

[@martinluckhurst9808]

@@bennyadler5882oh man I just saw this, no I never heard that story? What year was it? I left 5th Ave Joe Lopez gym in 1988 and started training at Murphy’s til 1991. I knew Eric too actually more than Eddie, since 78-88 Eric did that!? Damn I didn’t think Eric was a wise ass especially with Eddie? That’s Krazy death wish right there!

[@bennyadler5882]

I was working, heard radio news say shots fired near 5th and Island early that morning involving two suspects. I passed by gym and got the gossip, funny as hell. Eric was really trying, Eddie just not into it. I saw Eddie fight at Coliseum early in his career, a fighter who understood fighting /self promotion was form of entertainment.

[@bennyadler5882]

Eric is now doing ok. Another good guy.

[@bennyadler5882]

Eric took over training after Mr Gambina got sick. Eric was crazy, in kind of a “numb” way, throwing water over a guy who wouldn’t train properly was just natural thing for Eric. Luckily, bullets missed, somebody from produce district called SDPD. Eric then moved on as matchmaker.

[@lc.c6835]

I remember Eddie "The Animal" Lopez. The 70s and 80s were the best era of boxing.

[@kelliejohnson3050]

Yes indeed the 70's and 80's were the best days for boxing! guy's were tougher back then! THEY WENT 15 ROUNDS, without the benefit of modern technology..

[@eMCEe131]

Mr. T between Leon & Eddie with the Star Trek shades on.

[@martinmunnelly5475]

I could imagine alot of very tough men got ready to leave when Mr Lopez walked into a bar he was definitely the real deal 😳

[@madmonk7134]

Keep them coming Rich, loving your content.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, will do!

[@g.sergiusfidenas6650]

Great story as usual, it makes me respect and appreaciate more those boxers who exit the game and get to live a good life afterwards because again and again these videos remind us that that is sometimes a battle as tough as the ones they have inside the ring.

[@markmcallan973]

So right bro!🤟

[@brileyvandyke5792]

Lopez was a true fighter. He had a fighter’s heart. Had he trained properly he might have made a bigger name for himself. Regardless, respect to the animal.

[@curtisneilson5829]

I remember him

[@gianca60]

Note the mexican style of hitting the body and the haed equally. very rare to see this in heavyweight. P.S. look at Mr.T at 14:02.

[@lordmetroid1]

In my opinion, this is the best boxing documentary style channel on YT, thanks Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Wow, thanks

[@TheTaoofEternalWar]

Dude, your channel is solid gold.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Diogenes

[@tmapool]

Thank you, Rich, for another outstanding video on a fighter that I was always interested in. You've been hitting home runs! These guys like Lopez, Bernardo Mercado, Mitch Green, Larry Frazier, Larry Alexander, Duane Bobick, Marvin Stinson, etc were fringe contenders who were always in the fight. Thanks again!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

You know your stuff, tma pool...Haven't heard Stinson's name in awhile. Thanks for supporting the content.

[@tmapool]

@@RichtheFightHistorian I met Marvin Stinson in Nov 1981 at Larry Holmes's training camp for Snipes. Also met Mitch Green there, daily. What a funny guy he was. Just don't ask him what it's like to be "Larry Holmes's sparring partner?" ! Got photos with Holmes, Snipes, Dokes, Mercado, Green and Stinson. Didn't get Jimmy Young, Randy Cobb, David Bey or Buster Douglas. I. never saw them the whole week.

[@diamondsintherain6676]

Someone should make a movie about his Life 📽️🎬🥊

[@cristianpetrache1870]

He was natural tough guy and the boxing ring. I can’t imagine seeing him fighting on the streets just born tough. I really wish someone would’ve appreciate his talent. 🙂👏💪🙋🏻‍♂️👏😊

[@AwestruckAudioHertz]

Thank you again Rich! I never heard of this fighter! Always a pleasure getting to learn more about the past. Thank you!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Any time

[@cycletouringoz5760]

By far The Best Boxing Related Channel on here Long forgotten fighter, unless you know your boxing

[@BrandonReyes-vi4rm]

Never knew this was the guy who said ( you can't say anything tougher than oops ) 🤣 Awesome job once again !

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Brandon.

[@rojosik9385]

I met him In New York once and he told me had punch someone out that try to steal his truck this was in gleason gym back in the day

[@genesisg7022]

I met him in El Monte Ca. He was a nice guy. He was cool with me, always talked about the people that he fought in the ring.

[@chrislugg907]

Superb work. These films are first class. Thank you 🥊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Chris.

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

I watched Eddie fight several times. I wish he would have taken his training seriously. I think he could have won a title.

[@toddfrancis8428]

Rich, you have a gift! These men lived a hard, hard life. and somehow you encapsulate it along side/with there boxing career. Which is important! Great work!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Todd.

[@ivanhorvat9292]

Gotta love this channel. Thanks Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@bobbyohalterego4102]

Wow. Another excellent document....... Now I know another fighter from back in the day..... Eddie Lopez was a really tough good fighter........ I mean, he was a tough guy for real. He was actually still living the life. Crazy........ I think he could have did way more with what he was working with had he been more dedicated

[@kelliejohnson3050]

Los Angeles main Street gym, similar to the Kronk in Detroit, it has produced some outstanding Heavyweights , Quarry, Mike Weaver, and of course Kenny Norton, Lopez went the distance with Cooney back in the day when Gerry was knocking guy's over like Bowling pins, No doubt a very tough dude...

[@jesscenteno7663]

I remember hearing about thee Animal Lopez from HG,,who was a boxer and smoking Frios,,lol,,those were the dayzzz.

[@whitehurstcomic]

I actually was hoping for one on Lopez. And the second one of the week, sweet!

[@MotorcityBart]

Another great job on a video well done production. I almost forgot Mr T started out as a bodyguard for LeonSpinks

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, christian

[@getsmart3701]

Back it the day when HWs could fight more than 30 seconds a round. Tough and talented guy with little to no discipline...a very usual story. Great video as usual mate. Thank you for this one.

[@omegasquad868]

lol at the same time though HVWY were much smaller as well

[@george13calderon]

i remember walking into the IYBC in montabello at the age of 9 and the firtst one i saw was eddie he was shadow boxing and with all those tattoos looked scary but he was the nicest dude you ever wanted to meet i trained with eddie both at the IYBC and at the ressurection gym in my opion he was the best mexican heavyweight ever EVER rest in peace brother your friend George "TWEETYBIRD Calderon

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Yeah, it seems like everyone found Eddie to be likable.

[@johnnycobalt2758]

Your editing and music placement is becoming better and better. You aren't just reading wiki pages in a droll voice, you are actually, really, spending time on these guys, giving them the respect their careers deserve. Frankly, yours is a drop everything channel, as in, I drop everything when you release a new vid. I appreciate what you are doing aswell as how. Really great stuff, and thanks.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Johnny. Thanks so much.

[@clightning9703]

from all the highlights i would say Eddie beat Tate... i can only imagine if Lopez more dedicated

[@michaellaursen3256]

Keep up the excellent documentaries Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, will do!

[@RahaRo11]

What a great channel. Unsung warriors. Subscribed

[@diamondsintherain6676]

This is my Tio Eddie, what an awesome story 🙏 he was an amazing boxer 🥊🥊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Indeed he was, Lisa. Thank you for commenting.

[@Montyhugo]

ANOTHER GREAT DOCUMENTARY 👍THESE DOCUMENTARIES ARE DEFINITELY MY FAVORITES TO WATCH 👍✌❤👊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, more to come!

[@Montyhugo]

@@RichtheFightHistorian MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD AND MYBE JOE HIPP👍 I KNOW YOU HAVE ALOT GOING ON! JUST A COUPLE MORE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ✌❤👊

[@russianbear6384]

The end gave me chills

[@chuckbret644]

He was definitely a fighter,God rest your soul Eddie!

[@ooammo632]

hell yea im fidn to call off work & binge watch all these

[@angelchavez458]

I remember Eddie he lived on ave 54 on the ne side had a old gmc truck fought on the same card at the Olympic i was ameuter he fought a 3 rounder knocked the guy out rd 2 he used to come to Latin American press club we all looked up to him rip Eddie and your brother

[@davidfuller9373]

I remember my dad and uncles use to talk about mr.lopez all the time this guy alot of heart.

[@bulletproof890]

I actually remember watching the Spinks fight on TV. I thought Eddie won it.

[@ilenephillips420]

Yup me too every one in the projects watched this

[@andypicken7848]

Never heard of the guy. But I recall the rock appearance. Thanx for posting.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Andy.

[@sergikolitri9031]

Born and raised in East LA lived therve 23 years Michigan always loved box thank god I never got into street Bs

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, RICH THE FIGHT HISTORIAN

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, abudujana13.

[@rockyfrankham3849]

Imagine Lopez as a cruiserweight today 😳

[@dalenilsen4556]

Great personality, got beat by the streets , heard he ruled the gym when he was in Philly.

[@narcisoibarra1916]

Please give props to Mr. Eddie Lopez.... Give comments & likes to Mr. EDDIE Lopez . God bless.. For those who didn't have a chance to get to see Mr. Lopez. You misted.. a good Fighter !

[@sirwoody2135]

Rest in peace homeboy from all the homeboys from Ramona garden projects👉🏼👈🏼RSL~Ds🇬🇹🇲🇽🇬🇹🇲🇽🇬🇹🇲🇽🇬🇹🇲🇽🇬🇹🇲🇽

[@frenchgoldenboyfan]

Jeezzz he was a very good fighter and stood his ground against Tate !!

[@robertneeley4135]

A good suggestion video would be , on Welterweight boxer, “ Tony Martin “ , who was a outstanding amateur boxer from St.Louis Mo. and fought a 12 year professional career out of Philadelphia Pa. With 34wins 12by knock out and 6 loses . He fought Mickey Ward 1991 at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and

[@DONTOURAGETV]

God Bless Him … Love your Channel ! May it continue to grow

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for the support.

[@191601916]

"BIG HAZARD CONTROLLA" East Los stand up!!!

[@adambrown5692]

I love these docs on old fighters, didn't quite make it but lead interesting lives.

[@rockeybrown8990]

The old saying he could have been a contender or if he really gave it 💯 percent champion 🏆 of the world 🌍 RIP good brother

[@gilcortezdfw]

Great documentary. I never heard of this boxer. Too bad he couldn't get it together. Great job guys. Gilcortez from Dallas

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Gil.

[@tintomara6209]

Mr T in full fool pitying mode following the Spinks draw.

[@escrapplem9454]

Very good! Nice to hear about the coulda, shoulda, woulda's of boxing.

[@kaio2212able]

Great documentary, I think your channel has a lot of worth. Please continue to make more and keep liking. Thank you for your research and dedication to this channel!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate the support.

[@kaio2212able]

@@RichtheFightHistorian you're most certainly welcome Sir🥊🥊

[@oncall21]

Another great back story to match a great fighter in the ring. Thanks for sharing Rich!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

You bet

[@toddfrancis8428]

And Leon Spinks was vastly underrated as a small heavyweight. If he had been a disciplined fighter when it came to training regimen.

[@galeriafuentes]

U never disappoint

[@SagansWar]

I absolutely LOVE that you do these profiles on different fighters. Most of them I know but I learn so much more from your work. Donald Curry is my favorite fighter of all time, so I loved that one. Some that might be good to do are James Broad, Marlon Starling, Ike Ibeabuchi

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for the support. Starling is coming up in a short while. The others are on the list.

[@nickharmer3049]

Brilliant upload buddy. Totally unique to my knowledge. Real quality content. Bless up bro 👊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jerryashlock5519]

They never gave decisions to Lopez despite the overwhelming majority of punches thrown and landed by him . RIP

[@hatednyc]

You know a good deal of the fault lies with promoters and managers who allow for replacements to come onto the card with less than 2 Weeks to prepare. That’s not okay at all.

[@DavidMolina-jq7im]

Excellent sad but excellent story

[@Daughterofachampion]

Thank you for honoring my father ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure. What a charismatic fighter he was.

[@Daughterofachampion]

@@RichtheFightHistorianhe really was 🙏🏼 thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[@AwestruckAudioHertz]

Love how much respect and presence Mills Lane commands. Also love how at 10:15 or so when the headbutt initially happened that Eddie felt was Leon's fault, then Eddie retaliated with his own purposeful headbutt to match and all Mills Lane did was give a warning. Man I love this era of boxing. Love Mills Lane as well. God bless him.

[@kelliejohnson3050]

Mills was a no nonsense ref!! A BOSS!, the way he handled Tyson-Holyfield 2 was awesome...

[@AwestruckAudioHertz]

@@kelliejohnson3050 I was thinking that same thing about that same exact situation. It was hilarious to see such a small man (Mills Lane) command such respect from to MASSIVE beasts like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Watching Mills Lane hold Holyfields head as he was examining the ear was classic

[@bennyadler5882]

I think he docked one point, which could have cost him the split decision victory. Guy gotta restrain oneself during bouts.

[@21_redeye]

Loved watching this. Would love to see an at risk boxing program ran out of East La.

[@simba30]

Eddie was a great affable guy really really tough with todays social media he would have been a star. RIP champ

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Definitely.

[@thegadflygang5381]

Wow Doc Broadus without Big George and Dick Sandler. I had no idea, what a great vid, and an age old story. Kid on the wrong path saved by boxing.

[@aaronblue1517]

Thanks,, great video,, here's an idea,, do Ray windmill Wright,, used to Crack me up as a kid,, fighting carpenter,, who was really a cop,,

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

I don't have much on him. Will have to see what I can dig up.

[@brucegasboxingjazzandmore864]

Great memories of El Animal Salute Brother!

[@emilletokich6307]

I took sonny several times to the wild card boxing club everytime that I took Sonny there you can feel the tension and intimidation Sonny presented he was notorious for. Jerry the Jewish bomber stated do not bring him here he is notorious for fighting anywhere I then said that's in your mind. Sonny was a sweet guy the only time he would intimidate is if the person came off wrong disrespected or was a punk. God rest his soul. Back in 1983 Sonny and my brother Marty were at the carpet club in Eagle Rock there was fifty Mongols inside the bar Sonny and Marty were on the otherside drinking with a couple of guys the leader of the mongols walked up to sonny and said Im gonna kick those whit guys ass sonny then said well then now I'm white the fifty monogles jumped on there bikes and left. I said what is it that made them leave I always felt protected when with him. Thank you for training my daughter. We surely miss you. . God bless his kids

[@rickygonzalez4549]

May He REST IN PEACE🙏👏👍😎☝️

[@christophe4889]

There was Clubber Lang behind them 😂

[@josemarquez09]

Great video

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks!

[@lovenlightman]

Mr T behind them...after the fight

[@ss-cl4rr]

Brilliant great work I never knew about him

[@Dazz2812]

Brilliant stuff rich 👏 👍 👌

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Darren.

[@fernandoguerrero333]

Thanks Rich...

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure!

[@danthegamechanger3855]

👍👍👍

[@michaelmendillo7513]

One heck if a man. !!! And He did it His Way,,,,😎🙏💕

[@johnjamele]

I wonder why I have never seen any video of Cooney v Lopez.

[@roadrunner381]

Probably could have won a title, if he really wanted to, achieved some status doing things halfway, reading all the comments, sounds like a really nice guy, may he rest in peace!🙏🥊

[@paulhaig2467]

Great story Rich

[@AwestruckAudioHertz]

I know you usually do fighters from this era, but I request one be done on Emmanuel Augustus "The Drunken Master". Especially after the accident that recently happened to him that took most of his physical abilities away.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

He'll be further down the road but definitely someone worth adding. Thanks, Awestruck Audio Hertz.

[@AwestruckAudioHertz]

@@RichtheFightHistorian Hey Rich, look what I Just found! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4rWpXetq9Nlpbc

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

@@AwestruckAudioHertz Great find. Nice to see that he was so loved.

[@roadrunner381]

Wow that sounds like a good story!👍

[@hugoprimera5995]

Once again quality entertainment, if you are open to request please profile Hector Lopez out of Glendale Ca. The silver medalist in 1984 Los Angles Olympics and a top pro who never achieved what almost seemed destined, a world championship.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure, I remember him. Will add him to the list.

[@JZ505]

Awesome video! I heard the name but never took time to watch him. So many good fighters that got lost to the streets. SMH. He probably actually lived alot longer than he should have. Thank you

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Joaquin.

[@robertneeley4135]

Tony Martin also won two welterweight titles North American, and the U.S.B.A. He was promoted by Eddie Woods. I wish not to be a Spoiler, I will leave Moore information for you to look up if you may want to do a video on this beautiful hearted person Tony Martin .💯✊🏿🖤✊🏿⚔️

[@WareBare]

Great stuff thank you

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, antony.

[@johnjuarez8005]

Looking at Lopez fighting, he could have benefited more from a strength and conditioning coach. And a more disciplined Lopez. Opportunities lost.