LUISITO Espinosa is not losing hope that he would still get his purse for a world title fight against Argentina?s Carlos Rios at the South Cotabato Stadium in Koronadal City more than 10 years ago.
Espinosa defeated Rios inside six rounds to keep his WBC featherweight champion but up to now has yet to receive the balance of a $150,000 purse despite an overdrawn court case against the fight promoters.
Based on records, Espinosa is going after the balance of $130,000 that was not given him after a big snafu regarding the television coverage and the revenues that were supposed to be raised.
Espinosa stayed in the US for more than 10 years after that fight, and is back in the country, aided by some friends, to pursue the case and recover what is truly due him. In a rare appearance at Tuesday?s PSA Forum at Shakey?s UN Avenue,
Espinosa, now 40, said he?s hopeful that reopening the case that was filed a decade ago would lead to better results.
?I?m back to pursue the case and get what I truly deserve,? said Espinosa, who was accompanied to the public forum by Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, the former swimming star.
?The case is still alive,? he said.
In fact, the boxer said he was asked to appear before the Manila Regional Trial Court on Thursday so he could establish that he is still pursuing the case that has dragged on and on.
On the other end of the line are promoters Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar, and former South Cotabato Gov. Hilario de Pedro.
?Luisito is trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild his life after settling down in the US and going through a lot. But he lives a decent life. He is here to get what he truly deserves,? said Buhain in the same session sponsored by Shakey?s, the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen spa.
Buhain accompanied Espinosa to Malacanang last Friday to look for new avenues on how he could pursue the case.
Atty. Ramon Maranilla is the one helping the former world champion.
?There may be some light at the end of the tunnel,? said Buhain.
