Ricardo López Nava (born July 25, 1966) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2001.
1981
López would win four consecutive Guantes de Oro de México Championships from 1981 to 1984.
He turned pro without having ever lost an amateur bout and is now known as one of the best amateur boxers to ever step in the ring.
1985
On January 18, 1985, Ricardo made his professional debut at the age of 18 by scoring a third-round knockout of Rogelio Hernandez.
He accumulated a record of 26–0 before receiving his first shot at a world title.
1990
He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC mini flyweight title from 1990 to 1998, defending it against a record-breaking 21 opponents; the WBA and WBO mini flyweight titles between 1997 and 1998; and the IBF junior flyweight title from 1999 until his retirement in 2001.
He is one of just fifteen world boxing champions to retire without a loss.
He is the father of undefeated former boxer Alonso López.
On October 10, 1990, López defeated WBC and lineal mini flyweight champion Hideyuki Ohashi of Japan via fifth-round knockout to win his first world title.
1991
In 1991, he defeated Korean former champion Kyung-Yung Lee (20–1) via Unanimous Decision.
1992
In 1992, he defended his title against
Pretty Boy Lucas (22–2–2) of the Philippines via Unanimous Decision and Rocky Lin (14–0) of Taiwan via TKO.
1993
López started 1993 with a stoppage victory over amateur standout Kwang-Soo Oh and followed it with a knockout over future two-time champion Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand.
Sorjaturong was knocked down once in the first round and twice in the second round before the referee stopped the bout.
Later that year, he knocked out Filipino former champion Manny Melchor in the eleventh round.
In his tenth title defense, López defeated future champion Kermin Guardia (21–0) by unanimous decision.
He knocked out Surachai Saengmorakot (10–0) in the first round of his next bout.
1995
In 1995, he defeated Andy Tabanas (30–2) of the Philippines via twelfth-round knockout.
In his next bout, he defeated another Filipino boxer and founder of the famous "Ala Gym" Ala Villamor (29–1–1) by knockout.
1997
In early 1997, there had been a plan in the works for López to move up in weight to challenge junior flyweight champion Michael Carbajal, however, the plan was upended when Carbajal lost his title in an upset loss.
López would go on to defend his title against Mongkol Charoen (20–1).
In his 20th world title bout, López unified his WBC title by defeating WBO mini flyweight champion Alex Sánchez (25–1) of Puerto Rico via fifth-round knockout.
After López won the WBO title, he said he wanted to give his championship belt to his father, who is a boxing fan.
His statement to Mexican newspapers prompted the organization to take away López' title and sanction a match between Eric Jamili and Mickey Cantwell to fill the vacancy.
"It was enough for us," said the WBO president, Francisco Valcarcel, of López' intention.
"That's a public resignation."
Dwight Manley, López' agent, said López should have had a hearing before the WBO took away his title.
"He got no letter, he got no telephone call," Manley said.
1998
On March 7, 1998, López fought undefeated WBA mini flyweight champion Rosendo Álvarez to a technical draw after referee Arthur Mercante Sr. stopped the contest following an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round.
In the rematch, Álvarez came in over the mini flyweight limit and was subsequently stripped of his title.
Due to the weight disparity, the fight was in jeopardy.
However, López chose to proceed with the contest against the heavier Álvarez with only López eligible to claim the now vacant WBA title.
López defeated Álvarez by split decision to claim his third mini flyweight title.
After the fight, he vacated his titles in order to move up in weight.
In his first bout at junior flyweight, López defeated IBF champion Will Grigsby of the U.S. by Unanimous Decision.
He defended his title against former champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin by knocked out in the 3rd Round.
2001
On September 29, 2001, López knocked out Zolani Petelo in the eighth round, who had recently vacated his IBF mini flyweight title, the only mini flyweight title that López had not claimed before moving up in weight.
2002
He officially announced his retirement from boxing at a press conference on November 27, 2002, in Mexico City.
Ricardo López was the third champion in history to retire undefeated and the first to do so as both an amateur and professional fighter.
He also shares with Joe Louis and Floyd Mayweather Jr. the record for most consecutive title bouts without a loss (twenty-six).
