Bro-in-Law is pro boxer Jonathan Arellano
The last time pro boxer Jonathan Arellano fought (8-0, 1 KO) he had a familiar voice ringing through his ears as his walkout song blasted through the speakers at the “New Blood” show promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. His sister-in-law, international recording star T Lopez (whose hit single “Breathe” features rapper Lil Wayne) provided the walkout music and also performed the National Anthem live in the ring at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.
With Lopez’s “Vivelo” playing in the background, over 100 Team Arellano supporters cheered on the So Cal super bantamweight nicknamed “Lil Thunder.” And as he claimed his eighth victory over the tough Shawn Nichol from Colorado, the unbeaten fighter from Ontario kept it all in the family. With his wife Selina, her sister T (whose given name is Christina) and their whole family and friends celebrating, the local up-and-comer had a memorable night in his second six-rounder as a pro.
And he gives a rave review about T Lopez’s own ring “victory.” As she walked down the steps after singing the anthem, the crowd roared its approval after hearing her with the powerful pipes. Many stopped to congratulate her including heavyweight champ Chris Arreola (whose trainer Henry Ramirez is also coach to Arellano). Jonathan was also the first to give her a “10” for her sizzling round in the squared circle.
“She’s amazing. It speaks for itself,” Jonathan nodded when I asked him about T’s performance. “I knew she’d kill it!”
Arellano will be fighting Felipe Cordova TOMORROW night, July 22 on the undercard of the Juan Carlos Burgos vs. Gilberto Sanchez Leon, looking to add to his perfect ledger. His famous relative won’t be singing inside the ropes this time, due to her busy schedule traveling and performing as a multi-talented singer, actress, TV host and model. But knockout artist T Lopez hopes to be on the canvas again in the future–as a singer not a boxer, of course.
She is no stranger to the limelight as the sexy songstress is accustomed to red carpet events and glitzy affairs. You may recognize her from the remake of the classic dance hit “Macarena” (which has gotten over three million hits on YouTube).
Catching up with the pretty Latina, who has Cash Money Records in her corner, I quizzed her about singing in the ring, what she thinks about her bro-in-law’s success as a prizefighter, and all about her exciting new projects including working with A.B. Quintanilla (brother of the legendary Selena).
“You looked like you had fun singing in front of a boxing crowd,” I told the entertainer. “This wasn’t the first time in a ring, was it?”
“This was not my first time singing in a boxing ring. I’ve sung the anthem at a few fights,” Lopez confirmed. “But actually I got a little nervous for this one though, and I think it was because I was singing at a match my brother-in-law was fighting in!”
The evening proved extra special and inspiring for the Mexican-American beauty. “Jonathan actually came out to one of my songs ‘Vivelo’ for this fight. It was really meaningful to me,” she confides, “because I wrote the song about Latinos standing up, being counted–and fighting for their rights…So it was kind of fitting for a fighter to walk out to it!”
With four sisters in the family, the Lopez crew and their parents are a tight-knit group. “That was 
also the best part,” the singer says. “It was really special for my family.” All of the Lopez girls have dabbled in show business and Jonathan’s wife Selina also runs her own business as an event producer.
The familia was also confident of Arellano’s victory the last time he fought–and remain confident for adding future wins.
“We never have any doubt that Jonathan is gonna win. But when he does, there is always this sense of relief and celebration,” T says. “For this fight in particular, it looked like both fighters weren’t gonna stop until the other went down. Each of them was fighting so hard! At the end, Jonathan came out on top as usual. I had his son, my nephew Josiah with me. We screamed so loud!”
Little Josiah has built up his own following at the live fights. The cute tot is often decked out in his own mini satin boxing robe, gloves and sunglasses. And now the doting Aunt T also has a brand new nephew to spoil. Jonathan and Selina are proud parents of a second little champion in son Jorden, who was born last month.
His tia and in-demand singer always has cool new happenings going on so I ask her what’s new–and what’s next.
This spicy chica doesn’t disappoint me with her glamorous and exciting “jet set” lifestyle. She tells 
me: “I have a single out now. It’s me featuring Lil’ Wayne. It’s called ‘Breathe’ and it’s been doing really well virally, which I’m so excited about. I also have a Spanish single out called ‘Mentirosa’ on A.B. Quintanilla’s album, which has hit #1 in South America.”
“We’ll be back there on tour and I am hosting both LatiNation, and a new show called ‘Vive Tu Musica,’ which will be shot in a few cities around the country,” Miss T Lopez adds. “I keep myself pretty busy!”
Looks like the whole family is on a “Path to Glory,” as both Team Lopez and the Arellano camp continue on their rise to the top.
“Path to Glory”
Friday, July 22
Ontario Doubletree Hotel
Tickets: (714) 935-0900
(Tickets may also be purchased at the door)
Photos by Michele Chong/ Additional images courtesy of Team Lopez