Back in the hunt - SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson

Luisito Espinosa isn’t finished as a fighter. If you doubt it, ask Ramon Aragon who was brutally mauled by Espinosa in the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Andrew Golota mainer at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, last Saturday (Manila time).

Aragon will swear that Espinosa still packs the power to make it back to the top. The poor Mexican was floored in the third round and didn’t answer the bell for the fifth. His left eye was swollen shut. He would’ve been badly hurt if the fight went on. He was battered enough as it was.

Espinosa, 33, fought Aragon flat-footed. He didn’t show the usual spring in his legs. Espinosa engaged Aragon in a toe-to-toe slugfest. He had fire in his eyes like in the Alejandro (Cobrita) Gonzalez rematch in Guadalajara in 1996. Espinosa delivered a strong message to his fans – "I’m back."

Since losing the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight crown to Guty Espadas in Merida, Mexico, last April, Espinosa took a four-month rest to rehab an injured shoulder then returned to the gym last Aug. 29 to prepare for his comeback.

Mexican-born Robert Aguallo, who worked Espinosa’s corner in his losses to Cesar Soto and Espadas, was brought back as "temporary" trainer for the Aragon bout. Espinosa’s manager Erlinda (Boots) Aniel told The STAR that Aguallo won’t be rehired.

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Aniel is in the final stages of negotiating a one-year extension of Espinosa’s contract with America Presents, the Denver promotions outfit that represents Tyson. America Presents president Dan Goossen is offering to promote Espinosa’s next three fights culminating in a title shot. Goossen is also making available his brothers Joe and Larry to train Espinosa in Los Angeles. The Goossens trained Espinosa for his wins over Juan Carlos Ramirez and Kennedy McKinney two years ago.

Espinosa said he’s comfortable as a featherweight and weighed in at 127 1/2 for Aragon. But it seems that the Goossens plan an invasion of the junior lightweight ranks. WBC superfeatherweight titleholder Floyd Mayweather is rumored to be vacating his throne to campaign in the 135-pound ranks. If Mayweather relinquishes, the Goossens intend to lobby for Espinosa to dispute the vacant title, possibly against World Boxing Association junior lightweight ruler Joel Casamayor of Cuba.

However, an Espadas rematch isn’t being ruled out. Espadas pulled out of a defense against Erik Morales last month because of a shoulder injury. Morales went on to bag the "interim" title and is waiting for the chance to face Espadas. Espinosa, the WBC’s No. 3 contender, is in line to battle the winner of the Espadas-Morales duel. Or the WBC might just sideline Morales and pave the way for an Espinosa-Espadas return.

Another option is for Espinosa to meet Naseem Hamed. But the problem is Hamed has surrendered his World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title. The WBC detests Hamed because when the Prince unified the WBC and WBO crowns, he opted to give up the WBC recognition in favor of the WBO. But in boxing, disagreements are never permanent because money is a great healer. If a promoter is willing to put up big bucks for Espinosa and Hamed to fight, perhaps the WBC will sanction it as a match for the vacant superfeatherweight crown, assuming Mayweather vacates.

Aragon couldn’t be considered a serious opponent. He entered the ring to fight Espinosa toting a 4-10 record, with two knockouts. Let’s face it, Aragon was a sacrificial lamb. He wasn’t supposed to win – he was supposed to make Espinosa look good. Aragon certainly earned his paycheck. Espinosa didn’t only look good, he looked devastating.

Espinosa’s former manager Joe Koizumi watched the scheduled 8-rounder at ringside. After the demolition, the Japanese fight expert reminded Espinosa to guard against predictability by not overusing his favorite left hook.

Espinosa is booked for two more tune-ups against opposition of higher caliber before shooting for a third world title. Only two Filipinos – Dodie Boy Peñalosa and Espinosa – have won world crowns in two different divisions. If Espinosa annexes a third, he’ll be the first and only Filipino to do it.

The win over Aragon was Espinosa’s first since demolishing Carlos Rios in Koronadal in 1997. So it ended a long victory drought. Toasting Espinosa to celebrate the start of a new beginning in Auburn Hills were his wife Mariecherie, Aniel and her sons Jason and Alex, pal Joji Vendil, and lawyer Sydney Hall. Espinosa was paid $5,000 for the workout.

The turn of events means Espinosa is back in America Presents’ arms. It’s no secret that Espinosa needs protection in the fight racket. He needs backers with clout "upstairs" to safeguard his interests. Now that the Goossens and Aniel are on the same side, expect Espinosa’s career to pick up.