Remembering the First Big Modern Champ of the Philippines
All of the hooplah surrounding P4P King Manny Pacquiao often obscures that he was not the first Filippino boxer to establish some notoriety in professional world boxing. In the mid-to-late 1990s, another man from the Philippines loomed large in the featherweight ranks, establishing a presence that led the great 126 pounders of the day (such as Naseem Hamed) to avoid him: Luisito Espinosa.
Alternately known as “The Golden Boy” and “The Earthquake,” Espinosa turned pro in his native country back in 1984. By 1988 he was making forays into California and Hawaii, and by 1990 he had captured the WBA Bantamweight Championship. However, Espinosa was by then too big to be making weight at 118 lbs., and soon after winning his title, Espinosa was knocked out by Israel Contreras. Contreras lost the title in his very next fight, while Espinosa jumped two weight classes to 126 lbs. and established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In December 1995, Espinosa solidly out-pointed Manuel Medina to win the WBC Featherweight Title. Medina was a perennial contender in the division at that time, and would win world titles on five separate occasions. During his reign, he avenged a defeat to contender Alejandro Gonzalez, beat future champ Cesar Soto, defeated Medina a second time, and knocked out Kennedy McKinney.
In all, Espinosa reigned for 4 1/2 years as the WBC champ and made seven successful defenses. However, by 1999 he was 32 years old, a grizzled age for the lower weight classes. He lost a close rematch to Cesar Soto, and then a not-so-close fight with Guty Espadas. That began a string of fights that saw Espinosa lose far more often than he won, including a brutal knockout at the hands of puncher Augie Sanchez. Espinosa hung up the gloves in 2005. While Espinosa was not a superstar like Manny Pacquiao, he was a good fighter and recognized name in his era, and a legitimate, almost five year reign as champion is truly a rare thing in boxing.
Today Espinosa is reportedly splitting his time between working at a San Francisco area Costco and as a trainer. He was involved in training the University of San Francisco boxing team, and works with MMA fighters who need to improve their striking skills.
