NEWSFEATURE
Ex-boxing champ Espinosa is a Dagupeño

By Gabriel L. Cardinoza

DAGUPAN CITY – Did you know that two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa is a Dagupeño?

Well, not many people know it, but the former World Boxing Council featherweight champion became an “honorary son” of this city on July 23, 1996 through a Sangguniang Panlungsod resolution.

And for good reason: Espinosa then was a frequent visitor to this city and residents here liked him, treating him as if he was their own relative.

“He was a source of pride of the whole city,” said former City Councilor Rudy Fernandez, who met Espinosa during his term.

No one remembers now the year Espinosa last visited this city.

But while here, Fernandez said, Espinosa served as role model for aspiring young fighters and contributed largely to the speedy development of professional as well as amateur boxing here.

“Luisito was an inspiration to our young boxers then. He was idolized. In fact, the city government made amateur boxing then a priority project in its sports development program,” Fernandez said.

Former City Mayor (now Immigration Commissioner) Alipio Fernandez Jr. recalled that Espinosa easily blended with the residents here, “earning him high acceptance, due chiefly to his friendly ways.”

“He was natural. He would not hesitate to belt a mean song when prodded and he loved spinning funny yarns about his boxing experience,” Commissioner Fernandez said.

It was the commissioner who hosted Espinosa and his wife, Mariecherrie, when they eloped to Dagupan.

Espinosa’s mentor, Hermie Rivera, this city’s son-in-law (his wife is a Dagupeña), recalled that the former world boxing champion also did extensive running at the famed blue beach of Bonuan while training for a big fight.

“Luisito was gaga over grilled bangus and other delicacies, such as malaga, crabs, bagoong, bocayo, Calasiao puto, etc.,” Rivera said.

In between his workouts, Espinosa also accepted invitations as guest in various barangay fiesta celebrations and civic clubs meetings, where he was warmly received.

But those were the happy moments.

Espinosa, former World Boxing Council featherweight champion, who now lives in the United States of America, is in dire straits and has been forced to fight in the US to support his wife and three children.

In his last fight in Stockton, California two months ago, he was knocked out by Mexican fighter Cristobal Cruz. The fight earned Espinosa $3,000.

But what is more devastating perhaps, is the fact that a case he had filed against his promoters for the non-payment of his $150,000 purse in a fight he won some eight years back, has been lying dormant in a Regional Trial Court in Manila.

His father, Igmidio Espinosa, had written Chief Justice Hilario Davide to appeal for the resolution of the case, which is in the sala of Judge Rosario Cruz.

“Nawa’y inyo pong pagtuunan nang nararapat na pansin ang aming panawagan, bago man ako mamaalam sa mundong ito dahil sa aking karamdaman, para kay Luisito hindi lamang bilang aking anak, kungdi bilang isang bayani na tunay na maipagmamalaki ng ating bansa,” the older Espinosa wrote Davide.

Winner or loser, champion or not, Espinosa is still a hero to most Dagupeños. The next time he comes here, the red carpet will be rolled out for him and Dagupeños will still be here for him. (30)