Espinosa on comeback trail

Former two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa is a man on a mission. He’s back in the gym, beating up sparmates and looking like the fearsome knockout artist who destroyed the likes of Alejandro (Cobrita) Gonzalez, Kennedy McKinney, and Carlos Rios only a few years ago.

Espinosa, 34, is on the comeback trail and marks his return to the ring in a 10-round bout against Ever Beleno of Colombia in a Roy Engelbrecht card at the Tanka in San Jose, California, on May 23. It’ll be Espinosa’s first fight since losing to Augie Sanchez on a fourth round stoppage in Las Vegas last year.

The 16-month layoff doesn’t seem to bother Espinosa who, according to writer Fiona Manning, looks "tremendous" in sparring sessions and "nothing like the legless, faded warrior in the Sanchez fight."

Espinosa’s manager Noel Rivera, whose father Hermie took the fighter to the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight throne in 1989, described the rugged Beleno as "a good barometer of where Louie is and where we go from here." Rivera said two big-name fighter–Lamont Pearson and John Michael Johnson–backed out of commitments to face Espinosa before Beleno came up to bat.

"We are so excited about this fight," said Rivera. "Louie has been working so hard in the gym. People say all kinds of things about Louie, that he’s shot and needs to retire but I can honestly say he’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in."

Rivera said Espinosa is still considered a dangerous fighter–which explains why Pearson and Johnson chickened out. "We’d love to fight any of the 130-pounders," added Rivera, issuing a challenge to world contenders in the superfeatherweight division.

Espinosa said he hopes to become the first Filipino to win world titles in three different weight classes. He reigned as the WBA bantamweight champion in 1989-91 and World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight titleholder in 1995-99.

Beleno, 34, hasn’t won since halting Julian Flores in two rounds in October 1998. He packs a record of 38-10, with 35 knockouts. A strong starter, the southpaw has scored nine stoppages in the first round, 26 inside three rounds. But he’s been on a tailspin lately–losing his last five outings to contenders like Daniel Attah, Israel Vasquez, and Yoni Vargas. Still, Beleno is a tough trialhorse who’s expected to test Espinosa in what could be the start of a new chapter in his career.

Beleno won his first 23 fights then lost a decision to Park Yung Kyun in a bid for the WBA featherweight title in 1992. He also fought for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight crown but was knocked out by Tom Johnson in 1996.

Espinosa’s record is 45-10, with 24 knockouts. He’s lost three of his last four fights but Rivera said managerial problems were a distraction during that slide. Rivera said Espinosa’s head is back in place and he’s itching to show he’s far from over the hill.

Espinosa said he’s coming back not for the money. He’s doing it for pride, for his family, and for his country. "I still have something left," he recently told Cicero Estrella of the San Francisco Chronicle, tapping his left chest with a closed fist.