Philippines, 20 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


LUISITO ESPINOSA GETS TASTE OF JUSTICE


PhilBoxing.com



Espinosa.

IT?S not only late, it?s very late. Former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa, son of a waiter from Tondo, was ordered by the Court of Appeals to be paid his full purse (in dollars) for his successful defense of the WBC featherweight crown in Koranadal, South Cotabato in December 1997.

The decision stemmed from the case: Luisito Espinosa versus Hilario de Pedro 111, Joselito Mondejar, and the Estate of Deceased Rodolfo V. Nazario and his legal heirs.

In a ruling rendered by the second division of the Court of Appeals on May 26, 2015, it was ordered that ?Defendants-Appellees Estate of Deceased Rodolfo Nazario and his legal heirs namely: his wife Minita V. Chiqui-Nazario and his children Roderick Nazario, Rommelious Nazario and Karen Patricia Nazario Bouzaid, to pay Plaintiff-Apellant Luisito Espinosa the following:

?1) the amount of $130,349.00; 2) interest thereon and the amount of twelve percent per annum counted from the date of judicial demand; 3) interest thereon at the rate of six percent from July 1, 2013 until full satisfaction.?

**

Said the appelate court: ?We take note of the length of time that this case has been pending. The complaint was filed by the plaintiff in 1997, and it has taken 18 years for the case to reach this point. It would be unfair and impractical to let this case go on for another number of years.?

For the record, Espinosa stopped the rugged Carlos Rios of Argentina to retain his world featherweight crown in a championship purportedly staged by then Gov. Larry de Pedro of South Cotabato.

Espinosa?s Japanese manager, Joe Koizumi, created a scene and slammed a chair on a restaurant floor on the eve of the bout after the governing Games and Amusements Board allowed the weigh-in with Espinosa?s purse still unpaid.

**

It was a magnificent bout. Unfortunately, it was not shown on national television the same day due to transmission hassles.
The video of the boxing card, which was started early in the afternoon, was supposed to be rushed by motorcycle to the Davao airport and next flown to Cebu on a private flight. Because of poor signal, it could only be beamed to Manila from Cebu, where the video would be processed for showing on national television.

However, the air traffic officer assigned in Davao left his post ahead, thus bungling the whole process.

As could only be expected, the millions supposed to be earned from television commercials were all lost.

**

With no television revenues realized, De Pedro ended up being sued by Espinosa and his Japanese manager for failing in his obligation. The case, involving Nazario and Mondejar, was filed with the Manila Regional Trial Court, and later with the Office of the Ombudsman, where it did not prosper.

As a last resort, Espinosa decided to bring the case to the Court of Appeals through his lawyer.

The case dragged on as Nazario?s side maintained he got involved in the promotion only by signing an agreement (dated Oct. 16, 1997) to accommodate Koizumi and De Pedro ?for they had no domestic license to promote the fight.?

**

The appelate court, in rendering a ruling, noted that Nazario ?certified the delayed payment to Espinosa the balance of $130, 349.00. Defendant-appellees try to convince Us that Nazario merely ?noted? the Letter of Guarantee....By placing his signature thereon, he certified that there was a delayed payment to Espinosa and the payment of the purse money is, ultimately, his obligation as set forth in the Agreement dated October 16, 1997.?

Meanwhile, lawyer Ramon Maronilla, second vice president of the UP Alumni Association, has requested the publication of the court ruling ?so Luisito can get the prize money he never had.?
?It took us 21 years to fight this legal battle and hope a settlement can be made,? he said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • PACQUIAO BACK AT WILDCARD GYM: A LEGEND'S RETURN TO GLORY
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • Argentinian Soto tests positive for cannabis after surprising victory over "Magnifico" Nuñez in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1 - MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III AFTER 50 YEARS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • IM Garcia tops Lomibao rapid chessfest; pockets P20,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 20 May 2025
  • Pacquiao Arrives in Los Angeles, Fight Announcement Imminent
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Oklahoma Thrashes Denver Nuggets in Game 7, 125-93, Completes NBA Final Four
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Results from Panamà City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • Antonio Vargas Elevated to WBA World Bantamweight Champion
    , Mon, 19 May 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN MANCHESTER ON JULY 5 LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sun, 18 May 2025
  • Jayson Mama Set to Challenge for IBO World Super Flyweight Title in Johannesburg
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher vs Allen 2: Can Johnny Make Necessary Improvements?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Weights from Panamá City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • CRUZ LANDS IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST MISHIRO IN NEW YORK
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher and Allen Hit the Scales Ahead of Highly Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Boxing: Sport Entertainment or Entertainment Sport (Part Two)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • NYC PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: BERLANGA VS. SHEERAZ / SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH TO BE HONORED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN PUBLIC CEREMONY AT FREDDIE'S GYM!
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER JIM LAMPLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • Minnesota, Indiana Back Again in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • In Jonathan’s memory
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • WATCH: HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR IN INTENSE FACE-OFF WITH ONE MONTH UNTIL NYC SHOWDOWN
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Toledo-Xignex Trojans finally win the PCAP online team chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Nazarena Romero to Exercise Immediate Rematch Clause Against Mayelli Flores Rosquero
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Pacquiao's Controversial WBC Ranking Explained: "Legend" Status Cited Amid July Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • No-contest ruling awaited
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.