Oliver-Lopez: Sudden Lightening at the Roxy

By Ted Sares: Mike Oliver, 22-0, met Reynaldo Lopez, 28-5-2, at the Roxbury in Boston on April 7, 2008, and was heavily favored to remain undefeated. For all practical purposes, Oliver, out of nearby Hartford, was the home town fighter. Lopez was coming off a one punch blow out loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon and a UD loss to talented Cristian Mijares, Fighting for 15 years, some thought he might be ring worn and made to order for the speedy Oliver.

Though he seemed tight and tense, Oliver won the first two rounds with his superior speed. The third started out slowly with some roughhousing and then the fighters engaged in an exchange in a neutral corner. Oliver missed with his shots and Lopez threw a long left that caught Oliver flush at the 1:22 mark and sent him to the canvas face first. He barely beat the count and when the referee saw that he was helpless, the action was immediately halted.

Out of the blue, Reynaldo Lopez had pulled off a hugh upset derailing the Oliver Express and resurrecting his own career--and all this was done in the friendly confines of his opponent’s home area..

This was the very essence of an upset in every meaning of the word and was affirmed by the silence of the shocked crowd. And it was particularly difficult for me to witness as Trainer John Scully is a great personal friend.

Now, the challenge will be to overcome this adversity and get back on track. If anyone can do it, Mike and John can. As for Lopez, he gets another shot at a good pay day and deserves every penny.