Espinosa ready for war

MERIDA -- The fire in Luisito Espinosa's eyes is back. And that's bad news for Guty Espadas, Jr.

Espinosa, 32, isn't predicting how he'll beat Espadas in their scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title at the 7,980-seat Poliforum Zamna here today (Manila time). But he's so confident of victory that you can almost taste it.

"Pakikita ko kung sino ang nararapat maging kampyon," promised Espinosa who tipped the scales at 126 pounds flat in his first try at the 6:15 weigh-in last night. Revenge was clearly on his mind as he swore to regain the title that was robbed by Cesar Soto on a controversial decision in El Paso last May.

If Espinosa wins, he'll make boxing history by becoming the first Asian fighter ever to capture world titles in three different decades. He won the World Boxing Association bantamweight diadem in 1989 and the WBC featherweight crown in 1995.

Espadas, 25, declined to predict the outcome. "I respect Luisito too much because he's a great fighter," said Espadas whose father Guty Sr. was the world flyweight champion from 1976 to 1978. "I expect a good fight. We're both ready. My advantage is youth and his advantage is experience. Will it end in a knockout? I don't know. I didn't prepare for a fight less than 12 rounds - I'm prepared to go 15 rounds or even 20."

Espadas' record is 31-2, with 21 knockouts compared to Espinosa's 44-8, with 23 stoppages.

Authoritative boxing oddsmaker Herb Lambeck has installed Espinosa a 2-1 pick to win.

Fight expert Graham Houston said: "Espinosa's great experience is likely to prove too much for Espadas to overcome. Espadas is a competent boxer but nothing exceptional. Of course, he could rise to the occasion but it is more likely that Espinosa will stop him inside 10 rounds."

Espinosa's trainer Robert Aguallo said a right cross will put Espadas to sleep in the seventh. Papa Dio insisted a counter left hook will do the trick in the fifth. The ploy is to confuse Espadas and scare him out of his wits. The hometowner has never fought a tougher opponent and has never involved in a world title bout where the pressure is awesome.

Espadas' trainer Nacho Beristain said the Mexican will concentrate on the body. Espadas' plan is to wear down Espinosa for the kill in the late rounds.

America Presents President Dan Goosen said Espinosa will stop Espadas inside eight because the Mexican just doesn't pack the firepower to keep the Filipino away. America Presents is the Denver promotions outfit that has Espinosa's rights until May 12. Goosen is trying to extend the contract up to Nov. 8.

Curiously, America Presents isn't promoting the bout. Top Rank is - Bob Arum's group beat America Presents in the purse bid, $253,000 to $120,000. Espinosa's purse is $139,150 or 55 percent of the top bid but will take home only about $50,000 after deducting payment of debts and obligations.

Espadas weighed in at 1253/4 without a stitch on. A blanket held up by handlers covered his uncircumcised penis. Espinosa wore briefs on the scales and raised both arms when WBC President Jose Sulaiman announced he was right on the dot.

After the weigh-in, Espinosa went to his Holiday Inn hotel room and ate some fried chicken and Chinese fried rice. He said he was looking forward to eating Japanese food the morning of the fight. The night before the weigh-in, Espinosa got a slight scare when he scaled 130 pounds after downing a piece of fried chicken, some masked potatoes, and cole slaw. He ate nothing and drank only small gulps of pedialite to prevent dehydration from waking up in the morning until the weigh-in.

The Espinosa-Espadas fight will be shown at 12 noon today on Via Vintage Sports, IBC-13.

Sulaiman hinted that he may allow the winner to make an optional defense before facing former WBC superbantamweight champion Erik Morales who will be ringside for Mexican TV. If Espinosa wins, his manager Erlinda (Boots) Aniel plans a choice defense against North American Boxing Federation champion David Vasquez in Manila or San Francisco in June then will shoot for a big-money mandatory defense against Morales in Las Vegas in August or September. -