Louie ready for make-or-break fight

It’s do or die for former two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa as he battles unbeaten Zahir Raheem in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Creek Nation Gaming Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, tonight (tomorrow morning in Manila).

Espinosa, 35, is putting his career–or what’s left of it–on the line against Raheem, a flashy 1996 Olympian known for his lightning-quick jabs and impregnable defense. Raheem, 25, was only eight years old when Espinosa turned pro in 1984.

But Espinosa insists he’s ready to beat the Philadelphia fighter whose record is 19-0, with 10 knockouts. He’s looking forward not only to trouncing Raheed but also to capturing another world crown.

"He’s hungry again," said Espinosa’s trainer Danovis (Dee) Pooler. "And I’m hungry for him. He’s going for a world title, maybe two, before he’s done."

In an e-mail to The STAR, Espinosa said he’s dedicating the fight to his fellow Filipino fighters, particularly to the late Maruel Zayas who died from ring injuries recently.

"Mahirap ang buhay ng boksingero at nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon dahil narito pa rin ako na may pagkakataong tubusin ang aking pangalan," said Espinosa. "Sa mga kababayan kong mga Pilipino, sana naman ay magustuhan ninyo ang pagsisikap ko. Handa na po ako sa laban ko."

Raheem won’t be an easy opponent. He’s slick and hard to hit. At the Atlanta Olympics, the 5-7 stylist pounded out a 19-4 decision over North Korea’s Jong Gil Oh before losing to Cuban Arnaldo Mesa on a first-round stoppage in the bantamweight division.

As a pro, Raheem has hardly been tested. Last March, he decked tough Joe Morales once en route to posting a lopsided 12-round decision to capture the North American Boxing Association featherweight diadem.

Ramon Aragon of Mexico is the protagonists’ only common foe. Raheem decisioned Aragon in a four-rounder in 1996. Espinosa halted Aragon in five rounds in Detroit two years ago.

Jim Brady, writing in Boxing News, said Raheem "can box, has nice upper body movement, jabs twice or thrice at a time, slips and dips, (and) has a good record, a lot of flash, but no chin." He was described by Brady as "cute" with a lot of "theatrical moves."

Raheem will likely box Espinosa from a distance. Espinosa will try to mix it up inside and go for broke from the first bell.

World superwelterweight champion Oscar de la Hoya said Espinosa’s far from finished as a fighter. De la Hoya promoted Espinosa’s most recent outing–a second round knockout over Ever Beleno to raise his record to 46-10, with 25 knockouts, in San Jose last May. "I grew up watching Espinosa," noted De la Hoya. "He’s a smart and experienced fighter. He’s patient. He’ll pick his shots then go for the kill."

Espinosa’s manager Noel Rivera said the ESPN2 spot was offered only last Sept. 29 when John Michael Johnson backed out as Raheem’s opponent.

"We couldn’t have begged for a better fight," said Rivera. "An undefeated prospect against a tested veteran proved too irresistible for ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. This will be our gift to the many kababayan who have supported Louie through the years. Money was not the issue. More important is the enormous exposure Louie will get. Now he has the national and international stage to show the world he is ready."

Rivera said Raheem is young, tough, and has everything to gain.

"Scouting tapes showed he is as tough and slick as any Philly fighter," continued Rivera. "Good jab, excellent left hook, nice footwork, and decent head movement. For Louie, beating a solid fighter like Raheem could catapult him back into title contention. Team Espinosa shares Louie’s desire to rekindle that championship drive."

Pooler predicted a short workout for Espinosa. "Raheem is a tough, technical up-and-coming kid but I doubt he’ll be ready for Luisito–it should be a short evening in Tulsa," he said.

"The Filipino people should be proud of Luisito and his unparalleled accomplishments. I had the opportunity to prepare Luisito as a sparring partner for his fights against Juan Carlos Ramirez and Kennedy McKinney. It just feels like I’m in the twilight zone now that I am his trainer. Luisito and I have taught each other lessons in life and in boxing. Our philosophy in training camp is superb conditioning. One cannot successfully execute plans when one is not in shape. With scientific training and proper dieting, Luisito has made the weight comfortably at 128 pounds a week before the fight."

Rivera’s father Hermie, who was Espinosa’s original manager, confessed it’s a big gamble to fight Raheem.

"Some people told me we’re crazy for agreeing to fight Raheem," said Hermie. "But how else can we find out if Louie still has what it takes to be a world champion? We want to put him to the test against a top contender. We’re confident he’ll pull through. He wants to win. He’s looking to become the first Filipino to win titles in three different divisions."

Hermie said North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol offered a purse of at least $5,000 for Espinosa to take on former world featherweight titlist Goyo Vargas of Mexico in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Fahprakob Rakkiat-Gym mainer in Davao City on Oct. 26. But the offer came too late as Espinosa had already agreed to face Raheem.

Hermie said if Espinosa beats Raheem, he’ll be in the queue for a world title shot. "His dream is to be able to fight for his third championship before his countrymen in the Philippines," continued Hermie. "I hope that dream will come true."