Former Boxer Tony 'The Tiger' Lopez Kicks Off Candidacy For Sacramento Mayor

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A former sacramento boxing champ--is jumping into the political ring.

Tony "The Tiger" Lopez tells CBS13 he's ready for round one in what he knows will be a tough fight.

The man known for pounding faces in the boxing ring more than 25 years ago spent Friday night pressing the flesh in a new arena: a political one. After standing toe-to-toe with supporters, Lopez heard the familiar sounds of an enthusiastic introduction: "Tony is a 3-time world boxing champion."

Then he came out of his corner to announce he's running for sacramento mayor.
"I'm here because I want to see Sacramento succeed--even further than what it has been," he said.

The Sacramento native who now owns a bail bonds company retired in 1999 from the ring with a 16-year career with 34 KOs.

He knows knocking out a political heavy hitter former senate leader Darrell Steinberg and current city council Mayor Pro Tem Anjelique Ashby will take more than some fancy footwork.

Lopez feels his lack of experience will score high with voters:

"i'm not a politician. I have nobody in my back pockets, don't have to. Hey look, i'm goin' at it alone," he said.

His focus will be on the economy.

"We need jobs; we also need a riverfront; we also need to revitalize downtown even more," he said.

And cut down on crime, another top priority.

Lopez says his business expertise will help.

"it's my job; i'm in it, i understand it, i see it," he said.

Lopez says he began thinking about running for mayor over a year ago. He says he will outline specific plans in the weeks to come.