I grew up worshipping Little Red Lopez. In my opinion, he has become very overrated. He has a chance with just about anyone because of his right hand but when you add it all up...he was too easy to hit and I don't believe that his skills were really world class. But he had heart and a right hand. He could beat Mcguigan, hit him with a right hand and hurt him. But let me say this: When Lopez was champion his people would never have given Barry a shot.
Are you talking about the Wilfredo Gomez fight not happening or something else? Also can't you say same thing about McGuigan's folks not making the fight with Azumah Nelson? I think I'd pick Little Red by a late stoppage after an absolute war.
Yeah, I don't think Lopez ever blatantly ducked someone like McGugian did Nelson. Also, at least Lopez can say that he lost his title to one of the greatest featherweights of all time, and not a total ordinary featherweight like Stevie Cruz.
The point that I am trying to make is that, during his title reign, the people that Lopez fought were very carefully selected. Sanchez flew very much under the radar; he was picked for a reason and a mistake was made. I don't believe that Mcguigan would have been given a shot. That is my opinion. At the time, my father was trying to educate me by pointing out signs that Lopez was getting older and declining. I wouldn't hear it until I got older myself...
I would be hoping so, and, if I was 7 when the fight happened, I would probably cry. Like I did when he lost to Chacon when I was 9.
Chacon was an excellent counterpuncher, especially the featherweight Chacon. Countering wasn't really Barry's game.