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Luisito Espinosa

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Not to be confused with American boxer Louie Espinoza.
Luisito Espinosa
Born
Luisito Pio Espinosa

(1967-06-26) June 26, 1967 (age 57)
Tondo, Manila, Philippines[2]
Other namesLindol (Earthquake)
Golden Boy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Reach69 in (175 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights60
Wins47
Wins by KO26
Losses13

Luisito Pio Espinosa (born June 26, 1967) is a Filipino former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2005. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBA bantamweight title from 1989 to 1991 and the WBC featherweight title from 1995 to 1999.

Professional career

Espinosa turned professional in 1984. In 1989, he won the WBA Bantamweight title by knocking out Kaokor Galaxy in the first round. He was then managed by famed boxing analyst and businessman Hermie Rivera. Espinosa defended the title twice before losing it to Israel Contreras by a fifth-round knockout in 1991.

Espinosa made an arduous climb back to the top, this time fighting under Joe Koizumi's stable. His comeback culminated in 1995, when he won the WBC Featherweight title by outpointing Manuel Medina. In his first title defense, Espinosa knocked out Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez in the 4th round in Mexico. He then took on the hard-hitting body-puncher César Soto at Luneta (Rizal) Park in Manila and hammered out a well-deserved unanimous decision in front of his countrymen, which included no less than President Fidel V. Ramos. He defended the title seven times before losing the belt in 1999 to Soto who won by a controversial unanimous decision. The following year, he challenged Guty Espadas, Jr. for the Vacant WBC Featherweight Title, but was outboxed and lost a technical decision after their fight was stopped after a clash of heads.

Retirement

Espinosa retired in 2005 after a public outcry for him to stop fighting after being knocked out by Cristóbal Cruz. He spent his retirement living in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.

Post-boxing career

Due to some promotional and managerial disputes, and divorce Espinosa was left with little. He had to take jobs washing dishes, stocking shelves, flipping burgers and cleaning carpets in the US.[3] Espinosa, who was out of the boxing scene for quite a while, entered the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene by training brothers Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz in boxing to improve their stand-up.[4] He also assisted in the training of the University of San Francisco's Boxing team from 2006-2007 in preparation for the annual Hilltop Cup. After losing his job in the US he was invited to work in Hong Kong as a boxing trainer at the Everlast Fight and Fitness Gym and moved in November 2014.[5] On June 16, 2015, after 17 years, he won a case for prize money that was owed to him his by the promoters of his WBC featherweight title defense against Argentine Carlos Rios.[6] In 2017, he moved to the Everlast Gym as a boxing trainer in downtown Dalian city in mainland China.[7]

Professional boxing record

60 fights 47 wins 13 losses
By knockout 26 7
By decision 21 6
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
60 Loss 47–13 Cristóbal Cruz TKO 3 (10), 2:13 Feb 18, 2005 Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, US
59 Loss 47–12 Carlos Navarro TKO 7 (10), 1:49 Jul 9, 2004 Reno Hilton Theater, Reno, Nevada, US
58 Win 47–11 Marco Angel Pérez TKO 1 (10), 2:57 May 27, 2003 Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, US
57 Loss 46–11 Zahir Raheem TKO 8 (10), 2:02 Oct 11, 2002 Creek Nation Gaming Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
56 Win 45–10 Ever Beleno TKO 2 (10), 0:42 May 23, 2002 Compaq Center, San Jose, California, US
55 Loss 44–10 Augie Sanchez TKO 4 (10), 1:36 Jan 6, 2001 Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Us
54 Win 44–9 Ramon Aragon RTD 4 (8), 3:00 Oct 20, 2000 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, US
53 Loss 43–9 Guty Espadas Jr. TD 11 (12), 2:40 Apr 14, 2000 Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico For vacant WBC featherweight title
52 Loss 43–8 César Soto UD 12 May 15, 1999 Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, US Lost WBC featherweight title
51 Win 43–7 Kennedy McKinney TKO 2 (12), 0:47 Nov 28, 1998 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, US Retained WBC featherweight title
50 Win 42–7 Juan Carlos Ramírez TD 11 (12), 2:22 Aug 15, 1998 County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US Retained WBC featherweight title
49 Win 41–7 Carlos Rios TKO 6 (12), 1:12 Dec 6, 1997 South Cotabato Stadium, Koronadal City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines Retained WBC featherweight title
48 Win 40–7 Manuel Medina TD 8 (12), 1:22 May 17, 1997 Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC featherweight title
47 Win 39–7 Nobutoshi Hiranaka TKO 8 (12), 0:32 Nov 2, 1996 Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan Retained WBC featherweight title
46 Win 38–7 César Soto UD 12 Jul 6, 1996 Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC featherweight title
45 Win 37–7 Alejandro González TKO 4 (12), 1:12 Mar 1, 1996 Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Retained WBC featherweight title
44 Win 36–7 Manuel Medina UD 12 Dec 11, 1995 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won WBC featherweight title
43 Win 35–7 Raúl Pérez TKO 1 (10), 1:56 Oct 9, 1995 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
42 Win 34–7 Tomoaki Iwasa TKO 7 Jul 30, 1995 Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
41 Win 33–7 Singnum Chuwatana TKO 8 (10) May 6, 1995 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
40 Win 32–7 Yong Heung-Nam TKO 2 May 14, 1994 Araneta Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
39 Loss 31–7 Alejandro González TKO 2 (12), 2:51 Aug 13, 1993 Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico For WBC International featherweight title
38 Win 31–6 Boyet Andales TKO 3 (10), 2:52 May 20, 1993 Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
37 Win 30–6 Raul Mora SD 12 Feb 20, 1993 Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
36 Win 29–6 Evgeny Burchak UD 10 Nov 28, 1992 Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
35 Win 28–6 Thanomchit Kiatkriengkrai KO 1 (10) Sep 26, 1992 Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
34 Win 28–6 Eduardo Rojas UD 10 Jul 17, 1992 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
33 Win 27–6 Rudy Cabiles UD 10 Mar 14, 1992 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
32 Loss 26–6 Israel Contreras KO 5 (12), 2:16 Oct 19, 1991 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines Lost WBA bantamweight title
31 Win 26–5 Thanomsak Sithbaobay UD 12 Nov 29, 1990 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
30 Win 25–5 Jun Young-Man TKO 1 (10), Oct 12, 1990 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
29 Win 24–5 Hurley Snead RTD 8 (12), 3:00 May 30, 1990 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Retained WBA bantamweight title
28 Win 23–5 Juan Mendoza TKO 3 (10), 2:39 Dec 1, 1989 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
27 Win 22–5 Kaokor Galaxy KO 1 (12), 2:13 Oct 18, 1989 Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Won WBA bantamweight title
26 Win 21–5 Keiichi Ozaki UD 10 Aug 30, 1989 Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
25 Win 20–5 Park Young-Duk TKO 2 (10), 2:50 Jun 28, 1989 Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
24 Win 19–5 Pedro Rodriguez TKO 4 (10), 1:59 Apr 28, 1989 Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
23 Win 18–5 Somboonyod Singsamang TKO 1 (10), 2:16 Feb 18, 1989 Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
22 Loss 17–5 Min Young-Chun SD 10 Dec 4, 1988 Gwangju Gymnasium, Gwangju, South Korea
21 Win 17–4 Mauro Diaz KO 2 (12), 0:38 Jul 23, 1988 Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, US Won USA California State bantamweight title
20 Win 16–4 Ron Cisneros UD 10 May 20, 1988 Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, US
19 Loss 15–4 Juan José Estrada TKO 10 (12) Mar 14, 1988 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico For WBC International bantamweight title
18 Win 15–3 Loremor Pontino KO 3 (10), 1:44 Sep 27, 1987 Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines
17 Win 14–3 Dadoy Andujar UD 10 Sep 5, 1987 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
16 Win 13–3 Roger Pilapil TKO 4 (10), 2:01 May 16, 1987 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
15 Win 12–3 Ruben De La Cruz KO 9 Feb 7, 1987 Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
14 Win 11–3 Lee Bong-Ho UD 10 Nov 8, 1986 Manila Midtown Ramada Hotel, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
13 Win 10–3 Ari Blanca PTS 10 Jun 25, 1986 Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
12 Win 9–3 Robinson Cabusao PTS 8 Mar 22, 1986 Quezon, Philippines
11 Loss 8–3 Dadoy Andujar SD 10 Feb 2, 1986 General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
10 Loss 8–2 Jun Resma PTS 10 Dec 6, 1985 Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
9 Win 8–1 Romy Navarrete PTS 10 Jul 19, 1985 University of Life Training & Recreational Arena (ULTRA), Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
8 Win 7–1 Roger Pilapil UD 10 May 29, 1985 Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
7 Win 6–1 Romy Austria PTS 10 Mar 22, 1985 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
6 Win 5–1 Titong Dignos PTS 6 Nov 16, 1984 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
5 Win 4–1 Danny Duran TKO 2 (6) Sep 22, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
4 Win 3–1 Manuel Corpus KO 3 (6), Sep 15, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
3 Loss 2–1 Ariel Samson PTS 6 Aug 17, 1984 Tayuman, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
2 Win 2–0 Ric Santiago PTS 4 Jul 29, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
1 Win 1–0 Vladimer Raffy PTS 4 May 25, 1984 San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines

See also

References

  1. ^ a b HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Kennedy McKinney fight.
  2. ^ Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Angelo Michael Merino (2002). From Pancho to Pacquiao: Philippine Boxing In and Out of the Ring, Anvil Publishing.
  3. ^ Della, Percy D. "Manny Pacquiao's millions; Luisito Espinosa's lost purse". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. ^ About.com — Nick Diaz MMA Fighter Profile
  5. ^ "Filipino boxing great 'Earthquake' Luisito Espinosa gets life back on track in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  6. ^ Songalia, Ryan. "Boxing legend Luisito Espinosa receives justice 17 years later". Rappler. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  7. ^ "LUISITO ESPINOSA FINDS A SECOND LIFE IN CHINA". philboxing.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA bantamweight champion
October 18, 1989 – October 19, 1991 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC featherweight champion
December 11, 1995 – May 15, 1999 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Luisito_Espinosa&oldid=1168675415"