“Bash Brothers” JOSESITO & RAFAEL LOPEZ

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Riverside boxer returns to the ring!

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Josesito Lopez gained fight fans across the globe when he broke the jaw of Victor Ortiz in their June 2012 bout that shocked the boxing world. Since that clash, Jose’s been called the “Riverside Rocky,” an underdog fans relate to after winning the WBC Silver Welterweight title in his defeat of Ortiz.

Putting Riverside on the map, Lopez will now be facing Argentinean puncher Marcos Maidana on June 8. While in the midst of training camp, Jose took a brief break to take in the action at Friday night’s “Path to Glory” promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions (who co-promotes Josesito). The card took place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

The welterweight was actually in the corner that night as part of “Team Lopez” featuring younger brother, Rafael Lopez. “Ralphie” was making a return to the ring after a five-year hiatus in which he worked outside the ring, got married and had a baby boy with wife, Lupita Beltran. Team Lopez has made boxing the family business. Jose and Ralph are both professional fighters and their 13-year-old brother Victor “The Last Hope” Lopez is a talented amateur boxer. Victor was ringside to witness his older siblings start off the night of Thompson boxing presented by promoter Ken Thompson and general manager/matchmaker Alex Camponovo.

On Friday night, Ralphie made a triumphant return in adding a W to his record of 6-1 with 5 knockouts.

Also in his corner was a KO team including trainer Henry Ramirez, heavyweight Chris Arreola and cutman “Indian” Willie Schunke. The team trains at the II Feathers Boxing Gym in Riverside.

Rafael says he’s 6′ 1″ and four years younger than his champion bro, Jose. Before his fight Ralphie said, “I can’t wait to get back into the ring and get that feeling again!”

Going four rounds of middleweight action were Rafael Lopez vs. Omar “Lethal Weapon” Barefield. Quickly shaking off ring rust from the time away from the squared circle, Lopez employed his hooks, body shots, uppercuts and combinations while connecting on the head and body of his foe. Lopez had a large crowd of people chanting his name as he took charge of the fight. With fire in his eyes, Rafael kept battle strong as his family and friends shouted “Sigalo, “Levantalo and “LOPEZ, LOPEZ, LOPEZ”!

At the final bell, all that was left was the official announcement. Lopez won by unanimous decision of 40-36, getting the well-earned and long-anticipated victory. For opponent Barefield, the Pomona fighter receives another blow, adding a loss to his winless ledger.

rafCelebrating the victory, Ralphie was joined by baby Aiden for the post-fight winner photo ops. And little Aiden may well be a future champ too. Watching ringside and sitting on his mom Lupita’s lap, the baby was wide-eyed watching his dad fighting. The boy also threw his own punches when Uncle Josesito pointed up to the ring. With the announcement of the unanimous decision, Aiden held his hands out saying “PAPA” and wanting to join his father inside the ropes. After all, it’s in the Lopez genes.

And the Lopez family had a successful Friday night at the fights.

“We had about 80 family and friends here tonight,” a smiling Lupita spoke, praising her husband’s win. “He is so motivated, dedicated and confident. It’s been five years and I’m so proud of him tonight. It was great! He’s finally doing what he loves to do–he’s back!”

It was a long and rocky road stepping back into the ring. Lupita reveals that at one time Ralphie weighed in at 240 pounds. But with a strong work ethic and loyal dedication, he found his way back to the boxing gym and back under the spotlight.

Interestingly enough, this was the very first time his wife watched him fight live. He had taken the break from boxing when they met and Lupita never had the chance to see his pro fights–until Friday’s showdown. Sitting with Lupita was her 13-year-old sister Sheyla; both girls are actresses/singers/dancers involved in show biz. And both chicas love the boxing biz too. They enjoyed seeing Ralph return to the ring, back where the Lopez family has found their second home. After the fight, Rafael said he was happy with the win and even happier to be back in the fight game.

And now that his initial return is complete, the camp plans on keeping Ralphie busy.

“I’m really happy with his win!” his fellow fighter and older bro Josesito told me.

“When will he fight next?” I ask the “Riverside Rocky.” “Will he be fighting in June at the next Thompson show?”

“He did good! So I hope he fights in June…and July…and August…AND September!” Jose replies with a grin. “We wanna keep him busy.”

The guys are close and spent a lot of time in the gym together too. “We trained together our whole lives,” Josesito had told me. “We sparred when we were younger until he outgrew me!”

Jose enjoys training fighters and was very proud of his brother’s win. It was his first time taking part in training a boxer and he hopes to make world champs in the future.

But for now, Josesito has his own prizefighting career. He’s the main event on the June 8 Maidana vs. Lopez clash at the Home Depot Center in Carson. And if things continue to go their way, the Brothers Lopez may both be fighting next month.

Yep, the “Bash Brothers” from Riverside may have a busy month of June.

Blood brothers, Mexican warriors, gutsy gladiators. Josesito Lopez and Rafael Lopez will continue to make their mark in the ring.

Photos by Michele Chong

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