Carl Costas / Sacramento Bee Staff Photo
Three-time World Boxing Champion Tony "The Tiger" Lopez photographed Friday, July 25, 2008 at the No Limit Boxing Gym.
Poll
Which Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame inductee was the best of the group?
Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.
Tony Lopez can still move his feet, duck and jab, only it plays out in slow motion.
In his boxing heyday from the 1980s to the early '90s, few were ever better than the Tiger.
"I wasn't too bad," Lopez said Wednesday, admitting that he scores more with quick wit and humor these days.
"I was raised here, and I'll die here. This is home. … And I own a bail bonds agency here in town, so if anyone's in trouble … let me know. Just saying."
Lopez, Dusty Baker, Bill Cartwright, Kevin Johnson and Summer Sanders will be inducted into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night at Thunder Valley Casino.
Lopez was a three-time world champion, and a fan favorite at Memorial Auditorium and Arco Arena. He retired with a record of 50-8-1 and about as many gashes over his eyebrows. He graduated from Burbank High School, using his fists, he said, to settle a score as a teenager and into his adult days when he got paid to punch men.
Lopez works with local law enforcement agencies "in youth charities," he said, and is working on a reality show.
"Love the guy," Baker said of Lopez. "In his day, what a fighter. He'd be hard to handle."
What to surf
Youtube.com, Tony Lopez boxing: Check out some of Lopez's greatest fights.
What to watch
NBA, Kings at 76ers, 4:30 p.m., CSNCA: Philadelphia seeks its eighth victory in nine games against Sacramento.
What to watch II
PGA Tour, Phoenix Open, 1 p.m., GOLF: What will Phil (Mickelson) do next?
Today's poll
Which Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame inductee was the best of the group?
• Dusty Baker
• Bill Cartwright
• Kevin Johnson
• Tony Lopez
• Summer Sanders
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Thursday's poll results
Will the Kings still be "your" NBA team if they move to Seattle?
• Yes: 18%
• No: 82%
Total votes: 544
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