Luisito Espinosa
Encyclopedia
Luisito Pio Espinosa is a retired boxer from the Philippines
who won World titles in two different weight divisions.
Espinosa turned professional in 1984. In 1989, he won the WBA
Bantamweight
title by knocking out Khaokor 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 5th 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 Cesar 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. Espinosa retired in 2005 after being knocked out
by Cristobal Cruz
.
Promotional disputes left Espinosa with little, and he retired in 2005 after a public outcry for him to stop fighting.
Espinosa, who was out of the boxing scene for quite a while, entered the Mixed Martial Arts
scene by training brothers Nick Diaz
and Nate Diaz in boxing to improve their stand-up. 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.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
who won World titles in two different weight divisions.
Espinosa turned professional in 1984. In 1989, he won the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
title by knocking out Khaokor 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
Israel Contreras
Israel Contreras is a former Venezuelan boxer who won the World Boxing Association bantamweight title. He had a supporting role in the Mel Gibson film Apocalypto.-Boxing career:...
by a 5th 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
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
title by outpointing Manuel Medina
Manuel Medina (boxer)
Juan Manuel Rubio Medina is a boxer, who is better known as Manuel Medina. He is a five-time world featherweight champion...
. 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 Cesar Soto
Cesar Soto (boxer)
César Soto Esquivel is a retired Mexican professional boxer and is the former WBC Featherweight Champion.-Professional career:...
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
Guty Espadas Jr
Gustavo Espinosa Espadas Jr. is a Mexican boxer in the Featherweight division. He is the former WBC Featherweight Champion and the son of former WBA Flyweight Champion, Guty Espadas....
for the Vacant WBC Featherweight Title, but was outboxed and lost a technical decision after their fight was stopped after a clash of heads. Espinosa retired in 2005 after being knocked out
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
by Cristobal Cruz
Cristóbal Cruz
Cristóbal Cruz Rivera, also known as Lacandón is a Mexican professional boxer and former IBF Featherweight Champion.-Career:...
.
Promotional disputes left Espinosa with little, and he retired in 2005 after a public outcry for him to stop fighting.
Espinosa, who was out of the boxing scene for quite a while, entered the Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
scene by training brothers Nick Diaz
Nick Díaz
Nicholas Robert Diaz is an American mixed martial artist. He is the former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, WEC and IFC Welterweight Champion. He has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships and Elite Xtreme Combat. Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian...
and Nate Diaz in boxing to improve their stand-up. He also assisted in the training of the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
's Boxing team from 2006-2007 in preparation for the annual Hilltop Cup.