Luisito Revisited…….by VEEGEE Manuel

TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION LUISITO ESPINOSA was a trusting victim in the defense of his World Boxing Council featherweight crown against Carlos Rios of Argentina.

No, Espinosa did not lose that battle in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

He battered Rios black, purple and blue, sending the game Argentine to the canvass for the count.

But Espinosa in a sense also suffered a knockout.

The promoters welshed on his 150,000 dollar purse according to his long- time mentor Hermie
Rivera.

“Now, how was Espinosa to think the promoters would con him” Rivera asked?

The irony of it all was that Rios flew home with his 60,000 dollar purse intact but his physical demeanor which was stitched by the ardous pummeling administered by the champ they call Earthquake caused untold physical hardship.

“That’s crash discrimination against a fellow Filipino in his own home especially one idolized all over the land after emerging as its best fighter since the slammin’ days of Pancho Villa and Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde, Rivera stressed.

Co-accused in Luisito’s collection case are Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar — both busy making their pile after their short-lived dalliance with the GenSan sensation Manny Pacquiao.

Another trusting victimi by the latest entrants in the roster of boxing’s hall of shame?

As the ubiquitous promoters go about amassing more lucre and the judge taking her own sweet time scrutinizing the collection case, Louie struggles to provide food, clothing and roof to his three children.

He may be down on his luck but not on his back.

“He’ll beat the count like he previously did during his historied time” Rivera concluded.