Another payday for Espinosa

Refusing to call it quits, former World Boxing Association bantamweight and World Boxing Council featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa–now 37 and in his 21st year as a pro–tries to turn back the hands of time as he faces Cristobal Cruz of Mexico in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, California, on Feb. 18.

Espinosa hasn’t fought since losing to Carlos Navarro on a seventh round stoppage in Reno in July last year. It was the fifth defeat in his last eight outings.

Cruz, 27, was only seven years old when Espinosa turned pro. He has won his last three bouts, two by knockout, and totes a 29-7-1 record, with 18 KOs, compared to Espinosa’s 47-12, with 26 KOs.

Espinosa’s former manager Hermie Rivera said he couldn’t be sure how much the former two-time champion’s purse is for battling Cruz but estimated it to be about $5,000. The match is the main event on the "Guilty Fight Night" card which will be televised in the US and overseas.

"Guilty Fight Night" is shown in the US on America One, in Europe, Africa and Middle East countries on Fox Sports International, in other European and African countries on BEN Television and in the Caribbean on WCVI Super Station. The telecast is beamed to a potential 50 million households in the world.

"Guilty Fight Night" was launched last May and has been held in Las Vegas, Southern California, Arizona and Tijuana.

Bob (The Colonel) Sheridad and Benny Ricardo are the "Guilty Fight Night" TV commentators. Sheridan has worked almost 800 world title fights on six continents in over three decades as a TV broadcaster. Ricardo, a seven-year National Football League veteran as a place kicker, is a veteran announcer who has covered events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup.

Rivera said he’s in the dark as to who is now managing Espinosa in the US. Boots Aniel and Rivera’s son Noel had their turn to manage Espinosa since he migrated to the US in 1998.

Espinosa signed a two-year contract to be managed by Randy and Josie Harris in February 2003. It is not known if the contract has been renewed.

Rivera also couldn’t confirm if Dee Pooler or Flor Rivera is training Espinosa.

Espinosa’s wife Mariecherie once told The Star that Josie Harris, a Filipina, offered to manage the fighter and allowed his family to live in one of the couple’s homes in San Francisco. The Harrises own a jewelry and cargo business.

"Josie is also involved in promoting concerts," said Mariecherie in an e-mail two years ago. "We lived in one of their (Harris’) homes. Louie was given a training expense (account), a nice gym in our house (where) we have a punching bag, speed bag and a double-end bag."

Rivera said although Espinosa hasn’t been back in Manila for seven years, the case that was filed to recover his unpaid 1997 purse of $150,000 for fighting Carlos Rios in Koronadal is still alive.

"The problem is it isn’t moving despite repeated assurances by judge Rosario Cruz of the Manila trial court," lamented Rivera.

Lawyer Dennis Mazanal filed a motion for immediate judgment on the recovery case late last year as the defense failed to mount serious arguments but judge Cruz has not acted on it.

"A hearing was set last Feb. 8 but it was postponed to March 8 because of the judge making an inventory of her cases," said Rivera. "All the evidence has been submitted. I can’t see how the accused can wiggle out of this. It’s plain and simple. Former South Cotabato governor Larry de Pedro signed a promissory note to pay Espinosa’s purse of $150,000 and he didn’t come through."

Espinosa was lined up to challenge Cassius Baloyi for the International Boxing Organization superfeatherweight title last year but negotiations stalled. It would’ve been Espinosa’s last hurrah as he has expressed the desire to retire as a world champion.

Espinosa was originally booked to take on Mexican Martin Honorio this Friday but promoters decided to tap Cruz instead. Although Honorio halted Cruz in a single round in 2002, he is coming off a fourth round knockout loss to William Abelyan last November.

Cruz is a dangerous opponent for Espinosa even if he is over two inches shorter and has a one-inch reach disadvantage. He’s younger and hungrier. Cruz, who is from Tijuana like Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent Erik Morales, would like nothing better than to add the legendary Espinosa to his list of victims.

Cruz was devastating in his last three outings. He floored Mario Flores once enroute to a unanimous decision in October last year then three weeks later, halted previously unbeaten Cornelius Lock in Las Vegas. Last Jan. 7, Cruz–nicknamed Lacandon–disposed of Jose Navarrete in four rounds in Tijuana.