Although his Dec. 19 fight against International Boxing Organization (IBO) superfeatherweight champion Cassius Baloyi has been cancelled, Espinosa is unruffled. He said his chance to become Asia’s first world titlist in three divisions remains alive and explained the Luneta bout was doomed from the start because of his inability to leave the US due to a pending application for a green card.
Espinosa’s wife Marie Cherie told The Star the other day her husband is "in good shape" and booked to fight on Jan. 24. No opponent was mentioned.
Marie Cherie said Espinosa is now managed by Randy and Josie Harris. The Harrises signed a two-year contract to take care of Espinosa’s ring career last February. They took over from Noel Rivera who is Espinosa’s attorney-in-fact.
The Espinosas and their three children live in a house provided by the Harrises in Walnut Creek, California.
Marie Cherie gave birth to a third child, Niko, last Oct. 31. He was born weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches. Oldest child John Louie, 11, is in sixth grade at Stanley Middle High School in Lafayette. Their only daughter is four-year-old Janica.
"Everybody here–Louie, John and Nica–are very excited about Niko," said Marie Cherie. "Nabuhayan na naman ng loob si Louie and he’s more focused, matured and motivated in his boxing career."
Reacting to calls for retirement from Rivera and his father Hermie, Espinosa said he’s not ready to quit. He noted that he recently engaged South African trainer Baba to prepare him for his next fight.
"Louie trains everyday," said Marie Cherie. "Dee (Pooler) is a good person but we’re going with Baba who also trains Kennedy McKinney." Pooler used to train Espinosa.
Marie Cherie said only Louie should decide when it’s time to retire. "Let’s give the poor guy the chance to decide when he wants to retire," she pleaded. "He still has at least two more years (of fighting) left and we’re hoping by this time, swertihin naman kami with the right people and the right trainer."
Marie Cherie said talk of Espinosa quitting the ring is premature. "Pabayaan na lang natin ang aming mga kritikong maglabas ng negative and below-the-belt articles about Louie," she added. "Anyway, sanay na kaming mag-asawang mabugbog sa media."
The Riveras had arranged for Espinosa to face Baloyi in an IBO title fight at the Luneta on Dec. 19. But the fight was contingent on Espinosa obtaining a parole visa from the US government to allow him to leave the country without jeopardizing his application for immigrant’s status.
When US immigration lawyer Marcia Perez said a parole visa was out of the question, the fight was off. Espinosa said he never confirmed his participation in the match.
IBO president Ed Levine had sanctioned the title fight, which would’ve paid Espinosa a purse of $25,000 and Baloyi, $75,000.
"Ano ang mas pipiliin namin?" asked Marie Cherie. "$25,000 or a green card for life and the opportunity of my kids in America?"
With Espinosa unable to leave the US, his options of where to fight are limited. Baloyi once offered Espinosa a title shot in South Africa but that also would’ve hampered his application for a green card.
Espinosa, 36, has lost four of his last seven fights since 1999. But he’s coming off a first round stoppage of Marco Angel Perez in Oakland last March. He turned pro in 1984 and has captured the World Boxing Association bantamweight and World Boxing Council featherweight crowns. His record is 47-11, with 26 KOs.
Noel Rivera said whatever is Espinosa’s decision–to retire or continue fighting, "I am still here offering my support." He continued: "I am honestly doing this for the love of the sport, our Filipino boxing heroes and my reaffirmed bond with my father who has done so much for Philippine boxing. We are all in this together–to highlight the Filipino fighting spirit for a national treasure like Louie. Let’s just help Louie prepare for his retirement by teaching the values of friendship, camaraderie and pakikisama."