One last shot for Espinosa

Former two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa isn’t giving up hope in becoming Asia’s first-ever fighter to capture global titles in three different divisions and his dream is to make it happen on home soil.

Hermie Rivera, who recently blew into town from San Francisco, said he’s helping out his son Noel–now Espinosa’s manager–to arrange a historic duel for the 36-year-old beakbuster from Tondo to challenge International Boxing Organization (IBO) superfeatherweight champion Cassius Baloyi of South Africa in Manila this year.

If Espinosa dethrones Baloyi, he will break into the record books as the first Asian to bag world crowns in three weight categories. He previously held the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight and World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight diadems.

Rivera said Baloyi offered Espinosa a $30,000 purse for a showdown in South Africa. But his son Noel, who took over as Espinosa’s manager from Boots Aniel two years ago, countered by asking Baloyi’s manager Brian Mitchell how much it would take to stage the fight in Manila instead.

Baloyi’s price was not less than $100,000. Rivera said he’s now moving heaven and earth to raise the money to bring Baloyi here.

"It will be a historic fight, one for the books," said Rivera. "Louie is ready for Baloyi. He hasn’t fought in the Philippines since knocking out Carlos Rios in Koronadal six years ago. He’d like to end his career where it began–at home. And what a storybook ending it will be when Louie knocks out Baloyi."

Espinosa is coming off a first round demolition of Marco Angel Perez in Oakland last March. The win triggered a slew of fight offers for Espinosa. But Rivera said Espinosa is biding his time.

"Why bother with inconsequential fights?"asked Rivera. "We want the big one. That’s the only thing left for Louie. He has nothing more to prove. He wants to go out a champion. We’re waiting for Baloyi."

Rivera said Espinosa is also setting his sights on WBC superfeatherweight titlist Sirimongkol Singmanassak and WBA champion Yodsanan Nanthachai but both Thais are lukewarm to fighting the Filipino who is unbeaten in three bouts in Thailand and has never lost to a Thai. In a career that started in 1984, Espinosa has so far beaten five Thai opponents.

Baloyi, 28, appears to be the only reigning world superfeatherweight champion willing to face Espinosa. The South African is a former World Boxing Union (WBU) superbantamweight and featherweight champion. He won the 122-pound crown in 1997 and after two defenses, moved up in class and annexed the 126-pound title. Baloyi made seven defenses of the featherweight title then lost to Philip N’dou on points in a bid for the WBU superfeatherweight crown in 2001.

In April last year, Baloyi stopped Filipino Tiger Ari in the sixth round in Brakpan to claim the vacant IBO superfeatherweight title. Last October, he halted Mbulelo Botile in the 11th round to retain the crown, also in Brakpan.

"Tiger and Louie are in touch since they now both live in the US," said Rivera. "Tiger told Louie he can beat Baloyi who fights straight up and is an easy target. Tiger has felt Baloyi’s power and thinks Louie can take his punch. He has also felt Louie’s power in sparring sessions. Tiger is convinced Louie will knock out Baloyi."

Rivera said he is talking to prospective promoters who could bankroll Espinosa’s bid for a third world crown. He added that Espinosa’s court case against former South Cotabato Gov. Larry DePedro has been revived. DePedro signed a promissory note to pay Espinosa the balance of $130,000 for his purse from the Rios fight in 1997 but the debt remains unpaid.

Rivera said if and when DePedro pays up, Espinosa will use the money to buy a house in a San Francisco suburb and open a gym.

In a recent interview on the maxboxing web site, Espinosa told writer Jack Dunne, "When I hang up the gloves, I plan on opening up a gym. I want to work with young fighters and impart my knowledge on them, specifically younger kids. I have a couple of kids, a daughter and a son. It’s my daughter who is showing the signs of wanting to learn how to box."

Espinosa added: "Though I feel that I am eligible for the Hall of Fame, I still feel that there is something lacking in my reign. I feel that I need to again be recognized for both my country and my career. My priority is providing for my family through boxing. If I do get to the Hall of Fame, it is because I represented the Philippines with pride. I honestly feel that a third world title is realistic. I’ve taken care of my health and I have God and my family to thank for that."