Espinosa defers decision to quit

MERIDA - Is it time for Luisito Espinosa to hang up his gloves?

After losing to Guty Espadas, Jr., on a technical decision here Friday night, Espinosa said he's seriously considering retirement. His wife Mariecherie said she hopes he quits but leaves the decision to him.

Espinosa, 32, said he'll wait for his sore left shoulder to heal before making up his mind. He admitted thinking of retirement after losing the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title to Cesar Soto in El Paso last May but decided to continue fighting because he needed the money for his family, particularly when daughter Janica was born a month later.

Espinosa, his wife and their children John Louie, 7, and Janica left here for San Francisco yesterday morning. They will stay in the Bay Area indefinitely before deciding to go back to Manila or not. Espinosa, his wife and John Louie, who are US immigrants, expect to receive their green cards in two months. Baby Janica is a US citizen by virtue of her birth in San Francisco last June.

Espinosa said if he continues fighting, there will be changes in his training regimen. He blamed his lack of footwork and poor rhythm in fighting Espadas on mistakes in the gym. For one, he never sparred with anyone quite like Espadas. His Mexican trainer Robert Aguallo tried to import Espadas fight-alike Humberto Soto from south of the border but he couldn't fix his travel papers.

Espinosa admitted he made crucial mistakes against Espadas. He said he couldn't understand why his footwork wasn't coordinated, why he couldn't throw combinations, why he kept on getting hit by the right hand. His father Dio said he'll take charge of training his son again if he decides to return to the ring.

Will Espinosa fight World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight titlist Naseem Hamed if the money is right?

Espinosa's eyes widened. "Kung si Hamed lang, laban na tayo," he said.

But Espinosa said he's outgrowing the 126-pound division. He had difficulty making the limit for Espadas and was on a draining diet the last few days leading to the weigh-in. Maybe a jump to the nior lightweight division is an option, he mused.

If ever Espinosa wins the 130-pound title, he'll be the first Filipino to win three crowns in three different divisions. And if he does it, he'll be the first Asian to capture three championships in three decades.

Espinosa almost made history Friday night. Espadas, however, did. He joined his father Guty, Sr., a former flyweight champion, as the only father-son tandem ever to win world titles.

At the moment, Espinosa is looking forward to a long rest and enjoying his role as father and husband. Boxing won't be on his mind for the next month, at least, or until the next juicy offer comes along.

To those who saw Espinosa slug it out Friday night, they're convinced he's not finished as a fighter. But then, only Espinosa can tell for sure. -