Philippines, 05 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Luisito ?Earthquake? Espinosa: TAP THE ROPES FOR LUCK


PhilBoxing.com




Filipino prizefighters interestingly tap their heels against the bottom ropes before the round.

Here?s some rhyme and reason for this riveting habit adopted by Pinoy boxing greats.

?It works (Puwede).? ---Manny Pacquiao.

?Eases the nerves.? ---Dodie Boy Penalosa.

?I agree with Kuya Dodie? ---Gerry Penalosa?

?Pumps me up.? ---Nonito Donaire, Jr.?

?You mean kick the ropes??--- Morris East.

So, who started the trend?

Let?s give credit to the greatest Filipino bantamweight and featherweight champion --- Luisito ?Lindol? Espinosa --- the only Filipino boxer, and one of seven international fighters since 1890, to win the bantamweight and featherweight crowns. ?Parang talisayin bago sabong (Just like a fighting cock before the derby), ? Espinosa summarized.

Espinosa?s Best performances:

- KO1 Kaokor Galaxy, WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
- TKO8 Hurley Snead, defense WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
- UD12 Thanomsak Sithboabay, defense WBA bantamweight championship (Bangkok, Thailand)
- KO1 Raul Perez, WBC Featherweight Championship (Tokyo, Japan)
KO6 Carlos Rios, WBC Featherweight Championship (Koronadal, South Cotabato)
- UD 12 Manuel Medina (Tokyo, Japan) and TD8 (Manila Bay, Philippines), WBC Featherweight Championship
- KO4 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)

Author?s Notes: Happy Birthday to my brother Herminigildo ?Jay? Rivera, Jr.

Photo: Luisito Espinosa KO2 Ever Beleno (130 pounds @ San Jose, California. Golden Boy Promotions) Pic: Courtesy of Nelson Carrera 1ofonephoto.com.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Herlan Gomez, Jason Moloney Make Weight for WBC Australasia Bantamweight Battle in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 5: 1928 OLYMPICS AT AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
    , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ
    , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Severino and Mendoza win Blitz Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 05 Dec 2025
  • Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 04 Dec 2025
  • KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
    , Thu, 04 Dec 2025
  • Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Dec 2025
  • CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
    , Thu, 04 Dec 2025
  • MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
    , Thu, 04 Dec 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Who was Clever Sison?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Two Pacquiaos on same card?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Dec 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.