By Peter Lim

Under the banner El Tigre Promotions, former super middleweight contender Alfonso Lopez (27-3, 21 KOs) will promote his first professional fight card at the Galveston Island Convention Center on Saturday, April 14. In his biggest fight, Lopez lost a 10-round majority decision to Kelly Pavlik in 2011. Lopez, 35, is still active as a boxer although not as active as he would have liked. 

“I still feel I can be a world champion,” Lopez said. “I’ve had some setbacks with injuries but I just now feel that my level of maturity in the boxing ring and my knowledge in the game is just at a point now that I wish it had been five or six years ago. I am a young 35 but I just now feel as a complete fighter.”

Both Lopez and his wife Gina Lee have degrees in sports science and nutrition which they have used professionally, so he had a multitude of options to earn a livelihood outside the ring. But making the leap from boxer to promoter just seemed like a natural progression.

“I know the business is tough,” Lopez said. “What I want to do with the knowledge I have in boxing is try to help the young up-and-coming boxers get an opportunity to change their lives. I know it’s not going to make me a ton of money. It’s more or less trying to reach out and touch as many lives as possible.

“As a fighter and now a promoter and just a boxing fan, I want the fans to enjoy an event where they leave bragging about what they have just experienced. I’ve always been great with people, with kids, you name it. I want to use my God-given gifts to help not only upcoming pugilists but also to help different organizations – veterans organizations, charities.

 “I always go by what my trainer Henry Harris told me – always remember the word of the Lord; it is better to give than to receive. That goes for my fights in the ring and in business outside.”

The card will feature seven bouts:

Alicio Castaneda (15-2, 6 KOs) vs. Joshua Ross (3-7-4) in the main event.

Monica Flores (4-2) vs. Samantha Salazar (3-5-1)

Andy Patina (1-0) vs. Michael Klekotta (0-2)

Armando Frausto (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Christian Morris (debut)

Alejandro Morales (15-9, 7 KOs) vs. Andrew Sosa (0-13-1)

Marc Perales (1-2, 1 KO) vs. Christopher White (2-1, 2 KOs)

Travis Conley (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Reynaldo Trujillo (1-4-1)