Espinosa beaten but unbowed

MERIDA -- There was no earthquake in this provincial Mexican city that was the center of Mayan civilization over 20,000 years ago as Luisito Espinosa failed to turn back the hands of time in losing to Guty Espadas, Jr. in their World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title bout here Friday night (yesterday in Manila).

The end came abruptly. An accidental headbutt opened a nasty cut on Espadas' forehead midway in the 11th round and the hometown hero was declared unfit to continue. So it went to the cards as stipulated under WBC rules. But not before Espinosa was slapped a point deduction and the unfinished round was scored.

Confusion marked the announcement of the scorecards. WBC supervisor Rex Walker of Colorado initially said Chuck Hassett and John Keane both saw it 118-109 and Marty Denkin, 117-110, for Espadas. Then he realized the bout ended before the 12th round so it was impossible to score 118 or 117 for either fighter.

Walker later apologized to Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Dominador Cepeda who sought an explanation for the discrepancy. He admitted the error in the official scoresheet which was marred by alterations, raising doubts of integrity and fueling speculation that the outcome was rigged from the start.

There was no doubt as to whom the judges picked. The corrected cards showed Hassett and Keane both scoring 108-99 and Denkin, 110-98. In the round-by-round countback, Hassett and Keane gave nine of 11 rounds to Espadas and Denkin pitched a shutout.

Espinosa, 32, conceded defeat but couldn't agree to the lopsided margins in the cards.

Espadas, 26, got off to a rousing start when he decked Espinosa in the first round. A counter right cross did it as Epinosa moved in. Espinosa took the mandatory eight-count from referee Richard Steele and survived the initial shock. Espadas continued to put the pressure in the next round as he found the range early.

Espinosa then realized he was an open target from long distance because of Espadas' reach advantage. So he turned aggressor in the third and went toe-to-toe. Espadas had difficulty moving away from Espinosa who appeared to stem the tide in the sixth. But the Mexican wouldn't be denied his place in history. Behind chants of "Gu-ty, Gu-ty," he staggered Espinosa late in the eighth as the Filipino began to tire. Espadas stepped up his attack in the ninth and Espinosa, hardly throwing any punches, faded quickly -- only his big heart kept him on his feet.

Undaunted, Espinosa came charging out in the 11th. His father told him to go for a knockout. But the power was gone and so were his legs. An accidental headbutt stopped it in the 11th.

"I've never fought a more courageous fighter," said Espadas after the bout. "Espinosa's a great champion. He's got a big heart. No one has hit me harder with the left. He hurt me several times but I never thought I'd lose. I was in control of the fight. I congratulate him for a good fight. The Filipino people should be proud of Espinosa. I salute him for his courage."

Espadas' trainer Nacho Beristain said Espinosa will be back. "He's not old," added Beristain. "He's intelligent and he's tough. Maybe, Guty was better prepared for the fight. There's too much money out there for Espinosa to give it up."

Espinosa was disconsolate in his dressing room. He complained of a sore left shoulder and said he suffered a pull a month ago. His future as a fighter is up in the air. Espinosa said he is considering retirement and will weigh his options in the next few weeks before deciding.

The win improved Espadas' record to 32-2, with 21 knockouts. Espinosa's mark dipped to 44-9, with 23 knockouts. -