MUHAMMAD, MATTHEW SAAD-YAQUI LOPEZ WORKING PRESS CREDENTIAL (1980)

HISTORY: On July 13, 1980 at the Great Gorge Playboy Resort WBC light heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad defended his title against Alvara "Yaqui" Lopez. Muhammad prevailed stopping Lopez in the 14th round.  Saad Muhammad earned a reported $150,000 for the fight, Lopez earned $40,000.  Starting with the 9th round, Saad Muhammad won every round going into the 14th and what turned out to be the final round in the scheduled 15-round affair. Lopez was knocked down four times in the 14th. After last knockdown referee stopped the bout without counting. Ring Magazine named the bout Fight of the Year for 1980 and the 84th greatest title fight of all time in 1996. Ring Magazine named the eighth stanza Round of the Year for 1980 and the 8th most exciting round in boxing history in 2001. "It was pretty much the toughest fight I've had recently. I went on to prove I'm the undisputed light heavyweight champion. I don't usually look like this. I usually look pretty good. I feel truthfully he had me in trouble. I won't sit here and deny it. But at all times I knew I would be victorious. I was aware of every moment of the fight. The pace was very fast. And I was getting careless. Yaqui is a very experienced fighter but I proved myself to be unbeaten," - Matthew Saad Muhammad said. Offered here is an original Working Press Credential used for this event.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original Working Press Credential which names the fighters and includes a section, row and seat number. Crease across top border. No tears. Foxing on two outer edges, otherwise clean. 2 1/4" x 3."