Espinosa Espinosa

Ex-boxing champ Espinosa returns

February 25, 2022 Ed Andaya 1013 views

REMEMBER two-division world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa?

Espinosa, nicknamed “Lindol” during his long and colorful career from 1984 to 2005, is making a return to the boxing ring not as a fighter but as a trainer-coach.

The 54-year-old Espinosa will be in the corner as a trainer-coach of Ronnie Baldonado in his coming WBA Asia Super Bantamweight title fight against champion Carl Jammes Martin on March 12 at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque City.

The said title fight will headline the blockbuster “Ultimate Knockout Challenge” boxing card of Cucuy Elorde of VSP Promotions.

“Nagpapasalamat ako na nabigyan uli ako ng pagkakataon na makasama si Baldonado sa kanyang laban kay Martin,” said Espinosa during a visit at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) office in Makati to apply for a license.

Espinosa rose to prominence when he knocked out Khaokor Galaxy of Thailand for WBA bantamweight championship un Bangkok last Oct. 18, 1989.

He captured his second world title when he stopped Manuel Medina of Mexico by unanimous decision for the WBC featherweight championship in Tokyo on Dec. 11, 1995.

The Tondo-born Espinosa had an impressive 47 wins, including 26 knockouts, against 13 losses before retiring in 2005.

In his last two fights, Espinosa lost by TKO against Carlos Navarro of the United States in Reno Nevada on July 9, 2004, and Cristobal Cruz of Mexico in Stockton, California last Feb. 18, 2005.

He last tasted victory against Marco Perez of Mexico in Oakland, California on May 27, 2003.

The other featured attractions in the “Ultimate Knockout Challenge” are the fights between Charly Suarez and Tomjune Mangubat for the WBA Asia Super Featherweight title, and Bienvenido Ligas and Roland Jay Biendima for the Philippine Flyweight title.

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