SAN FRANCISCO, California — “Ang gusto ko lang ay masingil ang premyo ko, makabalik ng Pilipinas, at makasamang muli ang mga anak ko para ako ang magpalaki sa kanila.” (All I want is to collect my winnings, come home to the Philippines, and be with my children so I can take care of them).
Thus was the heartbreaking appeal made by former two-division world champion Luisito Espinosa to local authorities regarding his $150,000 purse for successfully defending his World Boxing Council featherweight crown via a sixth round knockout over Argentine Carlos Rios in 1997 in Koronadal, Cotabato.
“Walong taon na ang nakararaan at marami nang nangyari sa buhay ko. Nasira ang boxing carreer ko, nilayasan ako ng asawa ko at ang tatlong anak ko pinadala niya sa Maynila (It’s been eight years and a lot had happened to my life. My career is in shambles, abandoned by my wife who sent my three children back to Manila),” the now 38-year-old former world bantamweight and featherweight champion lamented.
“Ngayon, nag-iisa na lang ako. Nakikitira kung kani-kanino. Hindi naman ako makauwi sa atin dahil ano naman ang magiging buhay ko doon. Sa atin, pag ganito na ang edad mo, hindi ka na mabibigyan ng laban. Dito, kahit papaano makakalaban ka.” (In the Philippines when you are this age, no one will give you a fight. Here, at least I can still fight).
“Kaya ang panawagan ko lang sa mga kinauukulan, tulungan naman nila akong makasingil. Pinaghirapan ko naman ‘yon. Nag-kabasag-basag ang mukha ko at katakot-takot na sakit ng katawan ang inabot ko. Yung kalaban ko, nabayaran at baka nga naubos na ‘yon pero ako hanggang ngayon ipinaglalaban pa ang karapatan ko.” (My only appeal to all concerned is please help me collect. I worked hard for it. If I’m not entitled to it, why was my opponent able to collect his?)
Espinosa’s case was first handled by the now retired Judge Felesicimo Cabigao of the Manila Regional Trial Court and was inherited by Judge Rosario Cruz in whose sala it has been gathering dust for years.
Espinosa and his present handlers, led by San Francisco police officer Joe Robles, denied the Filipino fighter has been banned by the California State Athletic Commission as a result of his aborted fight against Mongolian Lakva Sim, a former world lightweight champion, set last Aug. 18.
“That’s not true. It was Louie himself who requested that the fight not push through after he was asked to undergo MRI a day before the fight. As a result, he was suspended by the commission. But we think it’s better than getting mauled because he could have lost a lot of energy had he consented in undergoing MRI,” said Robles, a recent Manila visitor who along with other Fil-Am members of the SFPD.
“Louie must have learned his lesson in his last fight when he was subjected to liquid diet for four days just to trim his weight resulting in a third round stoppage to Cristobal Cruz last February in Stockton. That’s what our countrymen back home did not know. Mahinang mahina si Louie nang lumaban, pero kung hindi kayang-kaya niya ang kalaban.”
Robles said his group is working on how Espinosa’s contract with his present manager Bob Club can be rescinded, saying the guy contracted by Espinosa’s wife Mariecherie to handle his career has been remiss in his duty.
