Fighting Richard “Trino” Savala in Charity Match!

Fight fans, guess who’s back?

Tony “The Tiger” Lopez is returning to the ring once again to take on Richard “Trino” Savala in a special boxing exhibition benefiting abused and neglected children in the Sacramento area. It will be standing room only THIS Saturday when two former pro fighters from Northern Cal lace up once again–all in the name of charity at the Savala vs. Lopez “Clash of the Local Titans” in Elk Grove.

They say a true champion never gives up the fight. In speaking with the pair of ex-prizefighters, it’s clear the two men continue to fight the good fight years after they’ve hung up their gloves. When the pair face off this weekend, they will put their decades-long friendship aside as they not only battle for braggin’ rights, they will also be duking it out for the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento that assists abused kids. There will be several amateur bouts showcasing the area’s best young boxers along with the Savala vs. Lopez showdown the main event.

Lopez (50-8-1, 34 KOs) is a three-time world champ who also had over 100 amateur bouts under his belt. His victory against Rocky Lockridge was named the 1988 Ring “Fight of the Year.” The popular boxer, who fought Julio Cesar Chavez and Jorge Paez among many others, was recently honored by the Northern California Veteran Boxers Association for his career achievements. The former super featherweight is now a businessman with his Tony “The Tiger” Bail Bonds company and lives in the Sacramento area with wife Cathy and daughter Tatiana.

But come Saturday night, the fists will be flying as the former WBO NABO Light Welterweight titlist squares off against another tough warrior–and the two mean business. Their pre-fight war of words has been building steam as the collision nears. I asked Lopez for his fight prediction. “We’re both from Sac; we were both still dangerous fighters,” the ex-champ tells me. “But I will get a win by a KO! He’s gonna be rolling out of the ring. I’m gonna kick his ass, drop him and knock him out.”

The trash talk has really exploded but Lopez says it’s all in the name of a great cause to help kids who have nothing. “There’s been a LOT of smack talk,” he admits. “I’ve been calling him ‘Chavala’ (little girl). But the bottom line is it’s all for the kids!”

In the spirit of giving, the sluggers will be trading blows and risking bruised egos. The boxer adds with a laugh, “He’s 50; I’m 47–it’s two old geezers putting on a show. We have a of out-of-town guests coming in for this. And we are not making a dime–ALL the money goes to the foster kids–100% of the donations go to the children!”

Tony and Trino both have longtime ties to the Sacramento Police Department through the Sheriff’s Department and the Gangs and Drugs Unit. Lopez is on the California Police Youth Charities Board and his brother and former fighter Sal Lopez was a prison counselor for many years.

Both men have been training hard for their long-anticipated showdown. “Training’s been going good. I hit the weight limit about two days ago. Last sparring was Thursday,” Tony relays. “I’ve been at Benny Garcia’s gym trainer Jerry Jacobs and the Shotgun Boxing Crew. And these damn kids here–everyone wants to kick my butt!”

Lopez says he is amazed at how his opponent Savala (22-3, 13 KOs) has turned his life around 360 degrees. Trino, a former California State Champ, is also an ex-inmate who went from a squalid life of gangs and drugs to a life now devoted to helping others. “He’s beaten every odd that’s been thrown against him. I can’t express what this man’s been through in his life; it’s amazing,” Tony marvels. “He turned his whole life around–and I’ve known him all my life. Now he even works in the next office over from me!”

But again, mutual respect and friendship may be forgotten once that bell rings and that adrenaline flows. The day before their matchup, I asked Savala (nicknamed “Mr. KO”) what he thinks of all the “taunting” from his good friend and fellow fighter. “Tony threatens me everyday with trash talking; this has been going on for two and a half years now! He hasn’t changed one bit,” explains Trino. “I hope he’s as good a fighter as he is a talker. Well I guess he was since he has three world titles. And we’ve known each other since we were kids. His brother Sal Lopez and I were stablemates.”

He also recalls how a younger and more stylish Tony “The Tiger” used to strut his stuff as a teen. “Oh, he used to wear those flared-out pants and those open shirts,” he reveals. “He was SO flamboyant. He had that John Travolta ‘slight perm thing’ going on and he thought he was ‘Mr. Cool’ when he was just 15! But that boy could fight–so he could back up his words with his fists.”

Savala, the pride of Broderick, also tells me about the duo’s training for the charity event–and getting in fighting shape one more time. “We’re both old and fat–and we both think we’re still bad,” Savala chuckles. “I call him ‘Fat Man’ and he calls me ‘Gordo’! We both are at 182 today; I was at 210 and he was 205!

“Now we can settle the score. Now we have the opportunity to see who’s really ‘top dog.’ He’s not a young chicken anymore; he’s an old man. He is three years younger than me but I’m gonna carry him for four rounds and make him look good!”

Is Trino worried at all that his foe and former WBA World Lightweight titlist will retain that championship “Eye of the Tiger” in the ring?

The former gang banger, who has faced much worse in his life on the streets, isn’t worried about Lopez’s KO prediction. “I’m the quiet one; I’ll do my talking in the ring,” Savala assures me. He is a third-generation fighter with boxing in his blood. With his life completely transformed, the heavily-tattooed former jailbird even went on to marry the daughter of a police officer. With wife Lahoma (whose father is a retired homicide detective), daughters Veronica and Bianca, and four sons, Trino is a devoted family man and a man of faith.

And both fighters are blown away by the huge wave of support for their fundraiser. The demand for the original 500 tickets available was immediate–they flew out the door. “We sold out the first two days! As soon as everyone found it was for foster kids, the tickets sold like hot cakes!” an appreciative and humbled Trino mentions. “So now we’ve opened it up and we will have ‘walk up’ tickets, first come-first served. They can buy them at 12 noon the day of the event.”

Will it be “The Tiger” or “Mr. KO” who walks away victorious?

Both fighters say no matter what happens it will be a victory for the underprivileged children they will be helping.

See you at the fights!

Saturday, December 18
Savala vs. Lopez “Clash of the Local Titans”
School of the Tiger
2301 Longport Court
Elk Grove, CA 95758

Doors Open: 12:00 noon
Bouts: 2:00 p.m.
10.00 (with toy) Tickets Available Saturday 12:00
Ringside Seats–SOLD OUT
All Bouts Subject to Change
For more info: (916) 683-6222

Photos courtesy of Tony Lopez and Trino Savala