Earlier today featherweight Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) showcased his boxing skills at The Santa Fe Springs Activity Center in front of the boxing press and fight fans. Lopez, trained hard in front of everyone to show a glimpse of what they can expect to see from him on Friday, March 16 when he squares of against Glendale’s Gabriel “The Ghost” Tolmajyan (12-1-1, 3 KOs) as the opener to the exciting 10-round welterweight war between Kendall Holt versus Tim Coleman on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.
On how he feels about his upcoming fight…
I feel it’s a blessing. I am thankful to Thompson Boxing, my manager Frank Espinoza and ESPN. This is a big card that I am fighting on and it will give me the opportunity to show the public what I am capable of.
I don’t know too much about Gabriel Tolmajyan but what I can say is that night is going to be my night. I’m going to win.
When I think about the future I think about it one fight at a time. First comes this fight that I need to win. Once I do that , I will work on the next one.
On Gabriel Tolmajyan’s fighting style…
Tolmajyan drops his hands too much and I think I will be able to connect. I know I am heavy handed and our records show I have more power than him, but I won’t go in there to be get careless, if I knock him out I will be happy but mainly I want to win.
Cumulatively I have fought more difficult opponents than him and I am ready for whatever he brings.
On his weight:
I am weighing 127lbs. I’m on weight. I’m very disciplined.
On Tolmajyan’s Armenian fan fare…
The fight is in Morongo and that is very close to Coachella, where I used to train, and not so far from home near Los Angeles. He will have fans like I will but there will only be 2 guys in the ring, him and me.
On training at home in a private gym with his father as a trainer…
I enjoy training at home and I like the one on one attention. My father has made me into the fighter and the man that I am today.
On his nickname…
Chamaco used to be my dad’s nickname when he was a fighter. I decided to use it so that I can carry on the name in my family.
On how he compares to Tolmajyan…
I am a better fighter over all because Tolmajyan drops his hands a lot and I will use that to my advantage. If he adapts well and it’s hard to hit him on the outside then I have to fight him inside.
On his personal inspirations…
My personal inspirations are Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and Finito Lopez. They are all legends that I admired while growing up because they had beautiful fighting styles. I will do my best to hopefully one day have a career like theirs.
On his personal life…
I will graduate in the summer from a Respiratory Therapist program and then get state board certified. I am already in talks with Whittier Presbyterian Hospital to take on a part-time job.
Rafael Lopez, Father and Trainer:
I work with Abraham leading up to the fight but come fight night I don’t say anything because I am too hot headed. I will have Joel Diaz take the lead as coach on fight night.
Frank Espinoza, Manager:
When I first saw Abraham Lopez I saw incredible talent. He has tremendous knockout power and I believe that he is in the right path working his way to be a world champion. This is the first step. 2012 will be a breakout year for him and he will gain more experience. By 2013 he should be fighting for a world title.
This is going to be one heck of a fight. We’re happy to have that ESPN exposure. We’re happy with how the entire training camp has been coming along and we are going to win this one.
Ken Thompson, Promoter:
Abraham Lopez is one of the greatest, young fighters in the world today. The networks will pay attention because of his fighting style. He’s the complete package. Fight fans around the world are going to witness the birth of a champion.
Alex Camponovo, General Manager and Matchmaker:
This is a very good fight for the sport of boxing. Gabriel Tolmajyan is a tough opponent that defeated Lopez’s stablemate Daulis Prescott. Abe has everything that he needs to win this fight. He is powerful, confident and has the backbone. We are happy to see him get to this position and we look forward into moving another one of our prospects to the big leagues.
Abraham Lopez is ready for Tolmajyan. He has trained hard and his mentality makes him ready for a victory.
Tickets priced $35 & $55 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Morongo Casino Box office or by calling the Box office hotline at (951) 755-5391. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745- 3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.
