FILIPINO BOXERS ALL RESPECT “KING LOUIE”
With the success of Brian Viloria, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, and the Pacquiao brothers, Manny and Bobby, Philippine boxing has taken over the country and is making waves throughout the United States. However, before these great young talents (and even before former jr. bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa), there was Luisito Espinosa who single-handedly represented his country in two weight classes, bantamweight (118 lbs), and featherweight (126).
BROKE, BUSTED, & WRONGED BY INFAMOUS TRIO
Those who squared off with Espinosa at featherweight included Prince Naseem Hamed, Freddie Norwood, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Espinosa, dubbed “King Louie,” was the man that set the Philippine sports world on fire, once drawing over 300,000 fans for a defense. Today, Espinosa has become a “rags to riches, back to rags” story of a Filipino icon, broken, aged, and penniless. On October 29th, a fight card has been put together in an attempt to rectify an injustice done to Espinosa and put some much needed cash in his pocket.
TWO REGIONAL TITLES UP FOR GRABS!
A “Double Header,” will take place in the San Andres Civic and Sports Center in Manila, Philippines. In the main event, champion Fernando Montilla (30-19-3, 21 KO’s) will defend the Philippine lightweight (135) championship against Dexter Delada (13-2, 10 KO’s). Delada, managed by Rex “Wakee” Salud (co-manager of Bobby Pacquiao), has won his last five fights. On the flipside, Montilla has played the role of a sacrificial lamb in losses outside the Philippines.
JR. BANTAMWEIGHTS GO IN CO-FEATURE
The co-main event will be a jr. bantamweight (115) bout between Philippine champion Eric Barcelona (31-7-5, 10 KOs) and former mini flyweight (108) Philippine champion Celso Danggod (33-20, 10 KO’s). Barcelona, handled by North Cotabato Governor, Manny Pinol, has fought the red-hot Filipino prospect, “Z” Gorres (20-1-1, 11 KO’s). Danggod, whose record speaks for itself, fought Vernie Torres who trains with Manny Pacquiao.
TAX FREE PROCEEDS GO TO ESPINOSA LEGAL FEES
The fight card is a creation inspired by Gov. Manny Pinol, along with columnist Recah Trinidad, Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez, and former manager of Luisito Espinosa, Hermie Rivera. In an email sent by Pinol, he explains, “All ticket sales will be turned over to Luisito by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.” Should the fight sell out an estimated $10,000 US will be forwarded to Espinosa. Pinol continued, “The Mayor has exempted ticket sales from the amusements tax.”
MONEY WILL HOPEFULLY JUMP START LAWSUIT!
The purpose for the benefit is to provide Espinosa, or his representatives, with money that may refuel his bid to collect money ($150,000) owed to him from a world title fight he fought in 1996. People, this was fueled by articles written by Pedro Fernandez. The Governor said, “We were appalled by the length of time a boxer, a former world champion at that, had to seek redress in the courts to claim what is legally and morally his. For your information, the collection case involving about $150,000 (plus interest) in purse money in his defense against Carlos Rios was filed in December of 1996, but is still pending before a Manila court today.” With added interest to that purse, and the current economical crisis in the Philippines, the debt continues to grow.
EVEN WITH DEEP POCKETS, “THE ROACH” WILL NOT PAY!
Former business manager of Manny Pacquiao, Rod Nazario, along with former major Hilario de Pedro, and matchmaker Lito Mondejar, are the three men held responsible for paying Espinosa’s purse in court papers. At the time, Espinosa was the biggest name in Philippine Sports. He defended his title in front his countrymen, knocking out the previously undefeated Carlos Rios. Espinosa has not fought in the Philippines since then, but his story has not been forgotten, even among other boxing writers than those at www.RingTalk.com
CAN’T FIGHT IN UNITED STATES UNTIL “BRAIN” TEST
Today Espinosa continues to try to fight at the age of 38, after losing his last two fights, both by devastating knockout. Recently he was matched against top rated WBA lightweight contender Lakva Sim, but the California Athletic Commission nixed it at the last minute, mandating Espinosa take a battery of brain tests. Espinosa refused. He is 47-13, with 26 KO’s. Turning pro in San Pedro Laguna in 1984, Louie’s first round KO of the 24-1 Thai Khaokor Galaxy on October 18, 1989, garnered him the WBA 118 lb. crown. After a pair of defenses, Espinosa, then being trained by his wife, was KO’d by Israel Contreras two years and one day after the title winning effort. At 126 lbs., Espinosa won the WBC featherweight title in 1995, and defended it seven times. His title reign came to an end when he was robbed in 1999 against Cesar Soto.
FIGHTING FOR A LOST CAUSE?
Although the lawsuit heavily favors Espinosa, the question of who should pay the debt has not been resolved. Rod Nazario, obviously the wealthiest of the three handlers of the promotion, continues to claim that he had no financial obligations to Espinosa, and was only the promoter of record. Should the ball start rolling and the lawsuit finally reaches court, Espinosa must be present during the proceedings. Pinol stated that he has talked to current manager Joe Robles about the card, and hopes Espinosa can attend in person. The fight card on October 29th hopefully will spread the word of Luisito’s getting screwed. One politico uttered the feelings of many, “We are all doing this for the love of Louie.”
