Boxing

 

Bantamweight Champion Juan Antonio Lopez Diagnosed with Leukemia

Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos and his Retired Boxers Foundation asking for help to pay Lopez's medical bills

28.01 - Less than one week ago, boxing writer Jaime Estrada contacted the Retired Boxers Foundation, desperately seeking financial assistance for Super Bantamweight Champion, Juan Antonio Lopez, who has leukemia. After more than 100 fights, Lopez is fighting something that no referee, trainer or commission can change: A possible death sentence.

Estrada wrote to the Retired Boxers Foundation, "Life is full of turns in the destiny of every human being, and the potential for bad luck lurks around the corner. Most of us have memories of close calls and many have had lives tested by adversity." He continued in his passionate email to Alex Ramos, Founder of the Retired Boxers Foundation, "When God blesses us with health and prosperity, sometimes it seems like we forget where we came from and our hearts are blocked to the pain of others. It is nothing less than a selfish attitude when we choose not to help the less fortunate when we can afford to."

It is especially sad when a boxer as great as Juan Antonio Lopez-best known for introducing the legendary Julio Cezar Chavez to the sport of boxing-is suffering and too proud to ask for help. Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos and his Retired Boxers Foundation responded to Jaime Estrada within 48 hours, sending money to pay for desperately needed cancer medication to Lopez in his hometown of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

"I am happy that I got the opportunity to know Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos and Jacquie Richardson of Retired Boxers Foundation, so I could explain to them about Juan Antonio Lopez and his unfortunate situation. Then did not hesitate and they set the example of humanity, sending him some money for treatments and medicine in this sad moment for him and his family," said Estrada. Alex Ramos, humbled by Estrada's compliment, believes that it is his relentless promotion of the mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation that makes sure the fighters know where to turn. He said, "People tell me all the time that they get a lot of email from me. Sometimes I think they are annoyed, but this just proves that if I can't afford to call you, you can count on regular emails. You won't forget me or what I am trying to do, and who knows, maybe you will call me someday about a fighter like Juan who needs our help."

Juan Antonio Lopez was a trainer until he got sick, but he is better known as a boxer where he had a remarkable 92 victories (60 KO's) and 20 defeats. For the last 8 months of last year, Lopez was training a group of talented kids from Culiacan to help them increase their chances of success in the world of boxing. Juan Antonio went to see his family in his hometown and was not feeling well. He went to the doctor and was immediately hospitalized. The tests revealed that Juan had Leukemia, which is essentially "cancer in the blood."

Juan Antonio was a brave warrior in the bantamweight category, winning bouts against Romeo Anaya and "Famosito" Gomez, but he regrets that after two tries, he did not succeed against Puerto Rican, Wilfredo Gomez, at the time the WBC Featherweight Champion. Even after 100 fights-every one of them exciting, Juan Antonio Lopez remains better known for introducing Julio Cesar Chavez to boxing.

The Retired Boxers Foundation exists to provide assistance to fighters who need a hand up. The Founder and President of the Retired Boxers Foundation, Alex Ramos, said, "We never have enough money to help the way we should, but we never turn anyone away. If I had to sell my own championship belt for a fighter who needs chemotherapy like Juan Antonio Lopez, I wouldn't hesitate. The RBF is "Fighters Helping Fighters" because no one else gives a damn."

For those who blame the fighters for not saving their money and planning for retirement or for life's curve balls, Ramos says, "That's a bunch of crap. We need to look at this like the emergency room doctor. He doesn't ask whose fault the injury is, he looks at it, treats it and sends the patient on their way. It is not for us to judge." He continued, "Juan Antonio Lopez needs our help TODAY. For anyone who had the pleasure of watching him fight-for anyone who got a moment of entertainment or made a dime off the backs of prizefighters, now is the time to show your appreciation. The man needs our help and I am asking you to open your hearts and your pocketbook."

The Retired Boxers Foundation has helped over one hundred retired professional boxers during the past couple of years, including Greg Page who received nearly $3000 from the Retired Boxers Foundation and from their Internet Campaign set up specifically to help him after his tragic fight against Daryl Crowe in Erlanger Kentucky. Page was hospitalized for nearly four months and is completely disabled. Ringside Physician and a member of the RBF Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Van Buren Lemons, donated $1000 and Lou DiBella, one of the best people in boxing, sent $500. A man from Florida sends Greg $30 every month and because of an article written by Fiona Manning about the RBF and Greg Page, two little girls sent their life savings to help the family pay for medical expenses. RBF Executive Director, Jacquie Richardson, said "If you want to help, no amount is too small. $20 will pay for the Western Union fees to get the money to Juan Antonio Lopez's doctors." If you want to help Juan Antonio Lopez fight this disease, you can send your tax-deductible donation to the Retired Boxers Foundation:

The Juan Antonio Lopez Fund
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION
3359 Bryan Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93063

Jaime Estrada contributed to this story. He says, "We should give a standing ovation for the great compassion from the RBF, for assisting those that are laid down on the canvas with no chance of getting up. All the retired boxers in the whole world must to know that they not alone. The RBF gives them a little hope. God bless you all." According to Richardson and Ramos, the RBF believes the same is true of Mr. Estrada.

If you would like more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, contact Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos at (805) 583-5890, or email him at rbfalex@ix.netcom.com.

The Retired Boxers Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation started by 1984 USBA Middleweight Champion, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos in 1995 to help fighters in need, is leading a campaign called "Fighters Helping Fighters" to inspire other fighters to help. Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation because of what happens to professional boxers once their careers are over. Because boxing is the only sport that does not provide adequate pensions to fighters once they retire, too many of them suffer in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement.

For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, "Fighters Helping Fighters" program, call Alex Ramos at (805) 583-5890 or visit their website at www.retiredboxers.org. The Fighters Helping Fighters campaign has assisted over 100 retired professional boxers and their families, including arranging surgery, tax consultation to clear up problems with the IRS, legal services, rehabilitation services, Dignity Bags for homeless fighters and fighters in convalescent homes as well as financial assistance for the families.

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