Ernie Lopez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernie Lopez
Photograph of Ernie Lopez, March 1, 2004, by Jennifer Long, Los Angeles Times.
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Indian Red
Rated at	Welterweight
Height	5 ft 9 in
Nationality	American
Born	September 24, 1945 Fort Duchesne, Utah, U.S.
Died	October 3, 2009(2009-10-03) (aged 64) Pleasant Grove, Utah, U.S.
Boxing record
Total fights	62
Wins	51
Wins by KO	24
Losses	10
Draws	1

Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez (born September 24, 1945 – died October 3, 2009) was an American professional boxer. He was known for his exciting fights. Ernie fought twice for the world welterweight boxing title. He lost both of these big fights to José Nápoles in 1970 and 1973.

Later in his life, Ernie lost touch with his family for many years. In 2004, he was chosen for the California Boxing Hall of Fame. This led to him being found at a shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. His story was shared widely in the news.

Early Life and Boxing Start

Ernie Lopez was born in Fort Duchesne, Utah. This was on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. His mother was from the Ute people, and his father had Acjachemen heritage.

Ernie went to Orem High School in Orem, Utah. There, he chose boxing instead of football. He got married when he was a teenager. Then, he moved to Pasadena, California. He started boxing at the Pasadena YMCA. Ernie later said that his father taught him how to box.

A Popular Boxer: "Indian Red"

Ernie Lopez became a very popular boxer in Los Angeles. This was during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He often trained and fought out of the Los Angeles Main Street Gym. His younger brother, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, also became a boxer. Danny later became the world featherweight champion. Both brothers were managed by Howie Steindler.

Ernie was called "Indian Red" because of his bright red hair. He also had Native American heritage. In 1968, Ernie became the first Native American boxer to be ranked as the number one contender in any weight class. A famous sports writer named Jim Murray wrote about him. He noted that Ernie didn't look like the typical "Indian" people might imagine.

Ernie Lopez had a great boxing record of 51 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. He fought in many different places, including England, Hawaii, Japan, and Mexico. In 1967, Ernie wore a Native American chief's headdress into the ring for a fight in Japan. He had bought it at Disneyland. He liked it so much he wanted to keep it. But in Japan, fighters often exchange gifts before a match. So, Ernie gave the headdress to his opponent, Musashi Nakano. Nakano gave Ernie a samurai warrior's jacket in return.

Exciting Fights Against Hedgemon Lewis

Ernie Lopez had three very exciting fights against Hedgemon Lewis. These matches got a lot of attention from the media. Before their first fight in July 1968, Hedgemon Lewis had never lost in 23 bouts. Both fighters were considered top contenders in the welterweight division.

Ernie won their first fight with a knockout in the ninth round. The Los Angeles Times newspaper described how Ernie battered Lewis. Ernie won two out of their three fights. In 2004, Hedgemon Lewis said that Ernie was "aggressive and always on the attack." He added that Ernie was a "crowd-pleaser" because he was a true fighter. Actor Ryan O'Neal, who managed Lewis, also said Ernie was a "warrior" and a "gentleman." He explained that Ernie would hit his opponents so much that he would get tired himself. This made his fights very exciting for the fans. Another writer said Ernie was an "aggressive fighter who knew only one direction: forward."

Championship Fights Against José Nápoles

On February 14, 1970, Ernie Lopez got his chance to fight for the world welterweight boxing title. He faced Cuban boxer Jose "Mantequilla" Nápoles. The fight took place in front of a huge crowd at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Ernie was knocked down several times. The fight was stopped in the 15th round, with Nápoles winning by technical knockout.

Even after this loss, boxing experts praised Ernie. In 1971, writer Dan Hafner said it was Ernie's bad luck to be fighting when Nápoles was the champion. He believed Ernie was the best of all the other welterweight boxers. Hafner said Ernie showed he was very skilled in a fight against Oscar Albarado. Famous boxer Sugar Ray Leonard agreed. He said that if it wasn't for Nápoles, Ernie probably would have been a champion.

Ernie got a second chance to fight Nápoles for the title. This rematch happened three years later, on February 28, 1973. It was again at The Forum, with a sold-out crowd. This second fight was a big moment in Ernie's life. Reports said Ernie had won the first six rounds. Nápoles had cuts around his eye and on his nose. But at the start of the seventh round, Nápoles hit Ernie hard in the face. Ernie fell to the floor and was unconscious for three minutes. After the knockout, Nápoles held Ernie's head and kept saying, "Please wake up. Please wake up."

A Difficult Time and Being Found

After his second loss to Nápoles in 1973, Ernie's life became difficult. He fought two more times, losing both. His marriage ended, and he began to travel a lot. His brother, Danny Lopez, said that the losses to Nápoles and the divorce really affected Ernie. He was a very hurt man. Ernie's ex-wife also felt the loss to Nápoles changed him. She said he lost his confidence and his main goal. He became sad and angry.

For twelve years, from 1992 to 2004, Ernie lost touch with his family. They considered him to be out of contact. His ex-wife remembered seeing him in 1992. She said he had given up all his belongings and was just wandering. It was a very sad time.

Rediscovery and Hall of Fame

In early 2004, Ernie Lopez was chosen to be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. This news gave his family hope to find him. A police officer from the Los Angeles Police Department helped Ernie's family search. In February 2004, Ernie was found living in a shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Fort Worth, Texas.

When his ex-wife contacted him, Ernie said, "I'm not lost. I'm right here." When he learned about the Hall of Fame, he told the Los Angeles Times, "Why are they doing this for me? I wasn't good enough for the Hall of Fame." Soon after, Ernie was reunited with his four children and 23 grandchildren.

Ernie's story was featured in many newspapers and on television. Reporters came to the shelter to interview him. He told the Los Angeles Times that he didn't remember why he moved to Fort Worth. But he recalled living with a church family in Missouri. He shoveled snow in Maine, slept in New York's Central Park, worked in construction in Florida, and cleaned hotel rooms in Phoenix. He told another reporter, "I've been all over the United States. Might have missed a few states, but it's sure a nice place. But I never stayed too long anywhere."

Later Years and Passing

On October 3, 2009, Ernie Lopez passed away in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was 64 years old. He died from problems related to dementia.

Professional Boxing Record

48 Wins (24 knockouts, 24 decisions), 13 Losses (6 knockouts, 7 decisions), 1 Draw [1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	7-2	Kenny Louis	KO	1	07/07/1987	Omni New Daisy Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Loss	38-3-1	John Stracey	TKO	7	29/10/1974	Royal Albert Hall, London, England	Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the seventh round.
Loss	27-4-1	Armando Muniz	TKO	7	26/07/1973	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Loss	74-5	Jose Napoles	KO	7	28/02/1973	Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	WBC/WBA Welterweight Titles. Lopez knocked out at 1:36 of the seventh round.
Win	15-16	Jose Luis Baltazar	KO	5	10/11/1972	Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	59-25-6	Manuel Gonzalez	RTD	5	12/10/1972	Sahara Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	73-12	Emile Griffith	UD	10	30/03/1972	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	28-4-1	Sal Martinez	TKO	3	20/01/1972	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 1:28 of the third round.
Win	39-4-1	Oscar Albarado	UD	10	28/10/1971	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	16-2	Manuel Fierro	UD	10	16/09/1971	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	22-21-2	"Dangerous" Danny Perez	TKO	2	08/07/1971	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Loss	68-11	Emile Griffith	MD	10	03/05/1971	Nevada Sports Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	40-42-3	Peter Cobblah	MD	10	20/01/1971	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	13-9-2	Cipriano Hernandez	UD	10	10/10/1970	Valley Music Theater, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Win	20-15-1	Ruben "Sandwich" Rivera	KO	6	03/08/1970	Sacramento, California, U.S.
Win	25-17-3	Manuel Avitia	KO	8	08/07/1970	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	62-4	Jose Napoles	TKO	15	14/02/1970	Inglewood Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	WBC/WBA Welterweight Titles. Referee stopped the bout at 2:38 of the 15th round.
Win	28-1	Hedgemon Lewis	TKO	10	04/10/1969	Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 2:33 of the tenth round.
Loss	27-1	Hedgemon Lewis	UD	10	10/07/1969	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	72-11-2	Chucho Garcia	UD	10	13/03/1969	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	26-20	Brad Silas	KO	1	18/02/1969	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Silas knocked out at 2:35 of the first round.
Win	40-12-1	Raul Soriano	TKO	9	30/01/1969	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the ninth round.
Win	7-27-3	Polo Corona	PTS	10	31/07/1968	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	22-0	Hedgemon Lewis	TKO	9	18/07/1968	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 1:48 of the ninth round.
Win	32-10	Gabe Terronez	UD	12	30/04/1968	Selland Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.
Loss	33-12-1	Raul Soriano	UD	10	03/03/1968	Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Win	14-1	Bob "Robert" Murray	UD	10	08/02/1968	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	21-19-1	Doug McLeod	KO	4	20/11/1967	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	23-16-2	Jose Valenzuela	TKO	10	12/10/1967	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the tenth round.
Win	29-3-3	Musashi Nakano	KO	3	08/08/1967	Nagoya, Japan	Nakano knocked out at 0:47 of the third round.
Win	5-2	Andy Gonzalez	KO	7	06/07/1967	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	California Welterweight Title. Gonzalez knocked out at 2:58 of the seventh round.
Win	2-2-1	Phil Robinson	PTS	10	13/06/1967	Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Win	8-16	Ed McGruder	PTS	10	22/05/1967	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	17-17-4	Frank Jennings	TKO	8	20/04/1967	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 2:15 of the eighth round.
Win	37-14-5	Johnny Brooks	PTS	10	27/03/1967	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	30-24-4	Benito Juarez	PTS	10	06/03/1967	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	16-5-2	Adolph Pruitt	UD	10	12/12/1966	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	31-12-5	Johnny Brooks	SD	10	19/09/1966	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	31-11-5	Johnny Brooks	PTS	10	22/08/1966	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	34-11-5	Tito Marshall	UD	10	21/06/1966	Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	27-6-2	Jose Stable	UD	10	09/05/1966	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	27-10-4	Johnny Brooks	UD	12	04/04/1966	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	19-7-3	Al Grant	PTS	10	28/02/1966	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	2-2-2	Mel Fields	TKO	3	14/02/1966	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	12-16-1	Memo Lopez	KO	6	31/01/1966	Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Lopez knocked out at 2:14 of the sixth round.
Win	26-33-5	Al Andrews	PTS	10	17/01/1966	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	25-15-2	Pulga Serrano	TKO	4	20/12/1965	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Referee stopped the bout at 1:32 of the fourth round.
Win	8-2-1	Armand Laurenco Laurinco	KO	1	06/12/1965	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Laurinco knocked out at 2:47 of the first round.
Draw	8-2	Armand Laurenco Laurinco	PTS	6	09/11/1965	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	13-12-3	Billy Marsh	PTS	6	01/11/1965	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	12-1	Don Minor	UD	12	22/12/1964	Hacienda Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	North American Welterweight Title.
Win	6-2-1	Chappell Funnye	KO	8	19/10/1964	Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Win	5-0	Bernie Magallanes	PTS	6	29/09/1964	Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Loss	11-3-1	Jesse Armenta	KO	9	04/07/1964	Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Win	3-1	Joe Clark	PTS	6	12/06/1964	Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	22-8-6	Andres Herrera	PTS	6	30/03/1964	Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Win	0-2	George Green	KO	5	10/03/1964	Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	--	Trini Lopez	PTS	4	03/03/1964	Valley Garden Arena, North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Win	9-4-1	Mickey Davitt	KO	1	13/02/1964	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Win	3-3-3	Carl Moore	KO	3	04/02/1964	Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	--	Armand Laurenco Laurinco	PTS	6	21/01/1964	Castaways Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win	--	John Coopride	KO	2	24/06/1963	Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.	Coopride knocked out at 1:04 of the second round.