Gene Mateo, of Spanish and French Basque, a
middleweight, was ranked number eight in the world during the eighties. He was
sent to France to fulfill a military commitment, in which once graduating boot
camp was allowed to train and box. During that time, he fought many world
contenders.
Fel Clemente, of Philippino descent, fought Bobby
Chacon, who eventually became the featherweight champion in the late seventies.
Gentle Giant Alvaro "Indian Yaqui" Lopez
fought for the world championship five times. Lopez was ranked in the top ten in
the light-heavyweight division ten years in a row. Lopez's record was 65-15, 42
wins by knockout. Lopez came close-twice-to winning a world championship. In
1978 he lost a split decision in a rematch with Victor Valindez for the World
Boxing Association Light-Heavyweight Title in Vireggio, Italy. In 1980, in
Atlantic City, New Jersey, he was ahead through seven rounds in his bout with
Matthew Saad Muhammad, before Muhammad came alive and knocked out Lopez in the
14th round. The Ring Magazine voted it the fight of the year and round 8, as the
round the year. Boxing Illustrated rated the fight the 6th best ever.
Freddie Hutchins, another middleweight, fought
during the mid-eighties. In 1986 he fought Tommy Hearns.
Rodney Jones, a light-middleweight, is currently
fighting out of Stockton with a record of 28-3 and 17 KOs and ranked 11th in the
world.
The ring being used for the fight was once used by
Muhammed Ali to do an exhibition in the eighties.
Additional information provided by: Ray Brudernich,
Executive Director, Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame
