Espinosa rejects Sanchez bout

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa isn’t fighting No. 9 contender Augie Sanchez in Las Vegas on Jan. 6, contrary to newspaper reports.

That’s the word from Espinosa’s manager Erlinda (Boots) Aniel and legal counsel Sydney Hall who told The STAR yesterday they couldn’t accept the America Presents offer because it came at short notice.

America Presents matchmaker Tom Brown announced the Espinosa-Sanchez fight on the internet and in USA Today last week.

Hall said Brown never formalized the offer. A few days ago, the San Francisco-based lawyer informed Brown that Espinosa, ranked No. 4, coudln’t fight because he hasn’t trained since stopping Ramon Aragon in Detroit last October.

Hall tried to match Manny Pacquiao against former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior featherweight titlist Enrique Sanchez of Mexico in place of the Espinosa-Sanchez bout. But while Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario was agreeable, local matchmaker Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. said it would jeopardize a card he is assembling here on Feb. 17. Elorde has booked Pacquiao to fight World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior featherweight titleholder Fahprakorb Rakkiat-Gym of Thailand, a substitute for Australian Nedal Hussein who has backed out of a rematch to fight for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 122-pound crown.

Aniel said America Presents has offered Espinosa a one-year contract for three fights at a minimum purse of $20,000 plus training expenses equivalent to 10 percent of each purse but nothing has been signed. Aniel added that she has asked the Denver promotions company to provide Espinosa a monthly allowance of $1,500 or suggest a bonus scheme for each fight. America Presents whose contract to represent Espinosa expired last October has not replied to Aniel on her counter conditions.

Hall, an immigration lawyer, said he is arranging to bring in trainer Ramon Factor from Manila to accompany Espinosa to Los Angeles where he is supposed to report to Joe Goossen’s gym. He said Robert Aguallo, who trained Espinosa in his last three fights, will not be rehired.

"Robert has turned Louie into a slugger and we’re not comfortable with that switch," said Aniel.

Hall said Espinosa’s fight against Sanchez would’ve been shown on pay-per-view TV and the purse would’ve been at least $20,000 – a far cry from the $5,000 he earned in halting Aragon. The fight would’ve been within 130 pounds.

"Louie continues to jog every day but he hasn’t been in the gym for weeks," said Aniel. "He takes care of the kids – John Louie and Janica – while his wife Mariecherie takes computer classes from 6 to 10 p.m. When Ramon arrives, Louie will go to Los Angeles and start training under Goossen."

If Hall has his way, he’d like Espinosa to fight No. 1 contender In Jin Chi of Korea next. "The winner of that fight should get a crack at the WBC crown," said Hall. "Fighting Sanchez wouldn’t do Louie any good. The ultimate goal is to regain the title. I’d prefer Louie to fight In Jin Chi in the US. As for the WBC title, Guty Espadas and Erik Morales will meet in February so the winner of that fight should be ready to face Louie."

Espinosa, 33, lives in Daly City, near San Francisco, with his wife and two children. They share a two-bedroom apartment with his wife’s sister, her husband, and a baby.