Philippines, 19 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Luisito Espinosa: They called him “The Earthquake”


PhilBoxing.com





San Francisco, California - It was late in the evening of October 17, 1989, when I got the call from Al S. Mendoza of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “I hope you and the family are ok. I’ve been trying to call Bangkok, but the lines are down,” the vacationing Mr. Mendoza said with a chaser, "Give me a buzz when you hear anything from your dad and Recah (Trinidad).”

It was the day of the San Francisco (Loma Prieta) earthquake, and everyone was on the edge due to its magnitude 6.9 on the Richter scale, paralyzing the entire Bay Area and halting Game 3 of the World Series of baseball between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics at Candlestick Park. The consequences amounted to 63 deaths, about 3,800 injured, and an estimated $6 billion in damages to properties. The quake was the strongest since 1906.
Half a world away and just a few hours before the catastrophe struck, the WBA bantamweight world title fight between hometown Thai hero Khaokor Galaxy and Filipino challenger Luisito Espinosa ended at the famed Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.

“I just wanted to check up on you. I’ll be here if you guys need anything,” Jack Fiske said. “Tell your dad and Luisito, congratulations. The Philippines must be proud.”



"We have news from Thailand. Luisito Espinosa knocked out Galaxy in one round. Send Hermie and Luisito our best. Take care. Watch out for the aftershocks.”

For the record, it was the late Al Corona who came up with the timely and cataclysmic 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.

Wrote Al Corona about the new WBA bantamweight champion in his column the next day: “They call him ‘The Earthquake’…”



“Gather up everyone and make sure everyone is safe. That temblor may just be the beginning... The Thai had Louie cornered early...But Luisito unleashed three consecutive lefts, first a weak jab, followed by a dig to the liver and then a searing hook... The Thai hero brushed off the initial attack, then waded in with his hands down...Luisito responded with an uppercut to the solar plexus...Seconds later, Galaxy wiped his brow, rolled his eyes, and then collapsed on the ropes. HINIMATAY YUNG KALABAN (the opponent had passed out)...The referee did not bother to count and waved the match off...




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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • “Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Fighting for clean sweep
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Rosaupan rules Pasay rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Fall to China in Nail-Biter, Slip to 5–2 in Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
    By Leo Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
    , Thu, 17 Jul 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.