Lopez’s Defense of State Title Tops Boxing Card Tonight at Irvine Marriott

Ben Lopez of Upland will defend his California super featherweight title tonight in the main event of the monthly boxing program at the Irvine Marriott.

Lopez (16-8) takes on Evelio Perez (9-3-5) of Santa Ana in a scheduled 12-round match that headlines a six-bout card. Lopez won the super featherweight (130) title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Vicente Gonzalez of Bell in January, 1990. The title was vacant at the time.

Lopez moved up to junior lightweight (135). In his most recent fight, he was knocked out in the sixth round by Genaro Hernandez in September at the Forum. This will be his first title defense.

Perez, who was born in Zacatezas, Mexico, will be making his main-event debut at the Marriott.

Danny Perez (11-0) of Los Angeles takes on Cesar Valez of Long Beach in the six-round bout at 143 pounds. The first bout starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets--at $32, $27 and $22--go on sale at 10 a.m. today in the ballroom of the hotel.