Philippines, 13 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa: STILL PUNCHIN’


PhilBoxing.com




October 18, 1989

'Twas the day of the great San Francisco (Loma Prieta) earthquake—a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale that paralyzed the entire SF Bay Area, resulting in 3,800 injuries, 63 deaths, and collective damages exceeding $6 billion.

The temblor jolted our lives and halted the Game 3 of the World Series of baseball between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics at Candlestick Park.

Half a world away, just a few hours before the force of nature struck, the WBA bantamweight world title fight between hometown Thai hero Khaokor Galaxy and Filipino challenger Luisito Espinosa concluded at the famed Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.



“Three cataclysmic lefts—a jab, a hook to the liver, punctuated by a hook to the Thai champion’s right ear drum—catapulted Louie to the stratosphere,” my late father Hermie Rivera once related in an overseas call… “Hinimatay yung kalaban (The opponent passed out)…A delayed reaction left Khaokor Galaxy out cold, and the referee did not bother to count.”



“I just wanted to check up on you. I just got word at The Chronicle that Louie has won the bantamweight crown.” Jack Fiske said. “Tell your dad and Luisito, congratulations. The Philippines must be proud.”

Jack Fiske of the SF Chronicle and Al Corona of the SF Examiner were a few of my father’s closest friends who called because of care and concern.



Said Al Corona of the SF Examiner: "We have news from Thailand. Luisito Espinosa knocked out Galaxy in one round. Send Hermie and Luisito our best.”

For the record, it was the late Al Corona who came up with the timely nom de guerre for the first Filipino--and one of only seven fighters in the history of boxing since 1892--to win the bantamweight and featherweight crowns.

"They call him 'The Earthquake,'” wrote Al Corona of Luisito Espinosa in his column the next day.



For the record, Mr. Espinosa was the first Filipino and one of only seven fighters in the history of boxing since 1890 to win the bantamweight (118 pounds) and featherweight (126 pounds) world championships.

Espinosa’s Best performances:

• KO 1, Kaokor Galaxy, WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
• TKO 8, Hurley Snead, defense WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
• UD 12, Thanomsak Sithboabay, defense WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
• KO 1, Raul Perez, WBC Featherweight Championship (Tokyo, Japan)
• KO 6, Carlos Rios, WBC Featherweight Championship (Koronadal, South Cotabato)
• UD 12, Manuel Medina (Tokyo, Japan) and TD8 (Manila Bay, Philippines), WBC Featherweight Championship
• KO 4, Alejandro ‘Cobrita’ Gonzalez, WBC Featherweight Championship (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Curriculum vitae:

• Athlete of the Year (Philippine Sports Writers Association) WBC Featherweight Champion (December 1995- May 1999, 7 defenses)
• WBA Bantamweight Champion (October 1989-October 1991, 2 defenses)
• California Bantamweight Champion (1988)
• WBC Mundo Hispano Champion (February 1993)
• Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards Night, Honoree for His Achievements in Boxing



We will never forget the devastating 1989 quake which was considered the strongest since the 1906 catastrophe, and we will always remember Espinosa— then the first Bay Area world boxing champion since Carl “Bobo” Olson who was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955, as Jack Fiske once revealed to Hermie Rivera.


(Painting courtesy of Carl Roberts)

Luisito Espinosa deserves a tremendous debt of gratitude and commensurate help in any shape or form for everything he has achieved in and out of the squared circle.

He has recently revealed to PhilBoxing.com that he is back in the place where he was reared— “Pangarap Village” they call it…a haven of hope and grinding poverty.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
    , Fri, 10 Oct 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.