Champs and Dustin Hoffman at Hollywood Fight Night

Adam “BluNose” Lopez Showcased in Main Event!

Billed as “Hollywood Fight Night,” Saturday’s live boxing show proved to be an exciting evening of action for the huge crowd in attendance at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood.

Spotted ringside were several famous faces including legendary actor Dustin Hoffman (fans would love for the icon to do a new boxing movie), hip hop superstar Kendrick Lamar, Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Tillman, former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Paul Banke, heavyweight Gerald Washington and more. Check out my snapshots from the star-studded night!

The event was presented by PR Sports, Bash Boxing, Top Rank and Lights Out Promotions and featured eight bouts of fisticuffs on the card. The main event showcased an Adam Lopez vs. Aldimar Silva matchup that closed out the show.

This night of battles was originally scheduled to take place on February 8 at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. But after a small fire occurred at the Studio City venue, Steve Bash, Peter Rasmussen and team quickly bounced back; it was their first time in over 10 years and over 80 shows that they were forced to reschedule. But this February 16 “Hollywood Fight Night” proved to be a memorable show for the packed audience.

Burbank’s Adam “BluNose” Lopez (12-1, 5 KOs) had a knockout group of supporters in the famed arena (which houses a disco ball seen above the boxing ring). Facing Brazil’s Aldimar Silva (21-16, 13 KOs), the local rising star boxed well, using his jab while stalking his prey. The veteran Silva has fought for an WBA title last year and a WBO strap in 2013 and came here to win. But throughout the six stanzas, Lopez, just 22, used his speed and footwork to put in a solid performance from the opening round till the final bell. “BluNose” also scored a knockdown to secure a unanimous decision victory, a shutout with scores of 60-53.

Trained by Buddy McGirt, the new Top Rank signee had an exciting performance in front of an appreciative crowd including Dustin Hoffman!

After scoring the W, the popular featherweight was surrounded by his friends, family and fans. Adam’s mom Norma Lopez and his brother Hector Lopez Jr., 24, (also a pro boxer) led the Team Lopez crew, all decked out in blue and black “BluNose” shirts. The sweet science runs through the boxing brothers’ veins. Their father is the late champion Hector “El Torero” Lopez; winning is in their DNA. And it looks like they sky’s the limit for Team Lopez.

After the victory, Hector Jr. raved about his younger bro’s win. “That was a awesome fight,” the proud sibling told me.

Heavyweight pro Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington also nodded in agreement when I asked him what he thought about Adam’s victory.

“Great fight,” Washington remarked. “Adam looked sharp!”

And the star of the six-rounder wants to stay busy as his fan base continues to increase. I caught up with the SoCal fighter after his win.

“Congrats, Adam! How do you feel about your victory and what’s next for you?”

“Thanks, Michele! I felt good about this victory,” he replies. “I had an experienced opponent in front of me and it was exactly what I needed at this time in my career.

“And for what’s next, I’ll be fighting within the next two months if everything lines up. I want to fight at least six times this year.”

The hungry young fighter is poised for success. And he has remained humble along the way. Adam has a shout out for “Team BluNose”:

“A message to all the people supporting me, THANK YOU! This is just the beginning for Adam “BluNose” Lopez!”

Look for the talented prizefighter to be back in the spotlight again soon!

And look for the Bash Boxing guys to make a quick return too as ring announcer Barrie Eget told the spectators the next Florentine Gardens show will be March 9 –a California Xtreme Fighting (CXF) show presented by Lights Out Promotions and Bash Entertainment.

See you at the fights!

Photos by Michele Chong