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Lopez Dances to a Decision

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

First, the Ghost danced.

With Michael Jackson-esque rhythm he appeared in the ring five minutes before the 10-round main event Wednesday night and performed a spirited and skillful hip-hop sequence at the Country Club in Reseda.

Then, Mexicali’s Oscar (the Ghost) Lopez became a true showman, smirking in surprise when a first-round punch by Mauro (Betillo) Gutierrez deigned to actually graze his face.

Late in the second round, at the end of a furious exchange of punches, he wound up his left hand, holding it in the air and belted Gutierrez in the body. As the bell rang, he leaned into Gutierrez’ face and mocked him.

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And Lopez was only getting warmed up. His cockiness knew no bounds, yet Gutierrez, a veteran lightweight (47-20-5, 28 KO) from Tijuana was dishing out nearly as many punches.

At the end of the sixth round, though, Lopez was dancing again. His momentum closing in on Gutierrez with each punch, he fired a series of punches to Gutierrez’ head.

The lack of a knockout did not faze the 139-pound Lopez. When his unanimous decision was announced, improving his record to 19-6-1, he danced again.

On the undercard, promising lightweight Sugar Shane Mosley (3-0, all KOs) of Pomona lived up to his growing reputation. With a left hook, he knocked out Pey Castillo of Tucson, Ariz., (4-2) 2:25 into the first round.

Earlier, Young Dick Tiger, a Nigerian native living in North Hollywood, knocked out Carlton (The Fly) Brooks 2:40 in the first round of their scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

Tiger (28-10, 20 KOs) knocked Brooks down twice before Brooks crumpled to his knees, telling referee Rudy Jordan that he could not continue.

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Boxing notes

In his pro debut, featherweight Juan Lazcano barely broke a sweat in outclassing Chris Crespin (2-7-3) of Las Lunas, N.M. Lozcano’s shot to the body made Crespin keel over 1:11 into the first round.

Welterweight Lee Tonks of Great Britain (5-2, one knockout) decisioned Natividad Luna of Mexico (4-10-1) and featherweight Arnuflo (Chico) Castillo of Mexicali (6-0) earned a decision over Ramon (The Destroyer) Soto (9-9).

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