Louie not retiring, says new manager

Former two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa is not retiring from the ring and wants another chance to fight for the title in the twilight of his career, said his new manager Joe Robles recently.

Robles, a former San Francisco police officer who is in town to organize a training program for law enforcement authorities, said he recently took over as Espinosa’s manager from Bob Club and is in the process of suing the California State Athletic Commission for suspending the fighter indefinitely.

Robles said he joined a consortium to manage Espinosa and restore his respectability as a contender. The other members of the Bay Area-based consortium are Tyrone Poblete, lawyer Brian Soriano and trainer Frank Osias.

Espinosa, 38, was suspended indefinitely by the California State Athletic Commission for refusing to take an MRI and a brain scan the morning of a scheduled fight against former world lightweight champion Latva Sim of Mongolia in San Jose last August.

Robles said the commission had no right to insist on the tests.

"There’s nothing wrong with Louie but we pulled out of the fight because the demands were unreasonable," said Robles. "First, the purse was supposed to be $5,000 then it was reduced to $3,000. The fight was originally an eight-rounder then it became a six-rounder. We consulted a doctor who told us taking the tests on the morning of the fight might adversely affect Louie’s performance. Besides, Louie took the tests last February and was cleared. The results are good for a year. We found the commission’s demands to be unethical, ludicrous and redundant."

Robles said Soriano is filing the case against Commission head Armando Garcia.

It was last June when Robles paid the $150 fee for a manager’s license to take over from Club. Espinosa has moved from one manager to another since Joe Koizumi was relieved in 1997. Before Club, Josie Harris–a Filipina married to an American–managed Espinosa but was unable to negotiate a single bout.

Robles said Espinosa now lives in Osias’ home in Fairfield, California, after his wife Mariecherie left to work in Las Vegas. The Espinosas’ three children are back to live with their grandmother Lilia and study in Manila. "Mariecherie works two jobs in Las Vegas and is still in contact with Louie," said Robles. "From what I know, she lives by herself. Of course, the kids are broken up because they’re separated from their parents but they’re coping. Their eldest John Louie is now 13."

Robles said Espinosa continues to train and is working hard to stay in shape for his next fight.

"Louie gets up at 4:30 every morning and jogs five to six miles a day, six days a week," continued Robles who brought a team of six San Francisco police officers to train Filipino policemen in Cebu last January. "Twice or thrice a week, he spars with tough guys at the Vallejo gym near where he lives. One of his sparmates is a 5-11, 160-pound, 19-year-old former Golden Gloves and state champion Enrique Gutierrez who’s unbeaten as a pro. He’s not sparring with slouches. He weighs about 130 pounds. He’s in shape, he has to be at his age. It’s unfair to write off Louie at this point. He needs two or three tune-ups before fighting for the world title. It’s not over for Louie."

Robles, a police officer for 23 years, said he took over from Club because a change had to be made.

"Club wasn’t getting things done and once, he told Louie to prepare for two days before going to London for a fight," said Robles. "Let’s not judge Louie by his showing in his last fight against (Cristobal) Cruz. He was knocked out in the third round but he wasn’t mentally in the right frame of mind. Club put him on a liquid diet for four days before the fight and on the day of the fight, Louie got a call from Mariecherie asking for a divorce. There was no way he could win under those circumstances."

Robles said Espinosa’s willing to undergo whatever tests are required by the California State Athletic Commission but not on the day of a fight.

"First of all, it’s not easy to take those tests because Louie has no medical insurance and those tests cost a lot of money, much more than what he’ll get for a fight," said Robles. "But if that’s a requirement, he’ll do it even if he took those same tests last February. I will only ask for a couple of weeks of lead time before a fight." "There are so many nasty rumors about Louie working as a bartender or living in a friend’s garage," said Robles. "That’s all distorted information. We’re taking care of Louie. He’s not lacking for food. We’re talking with matchmaker Repo Rick of Fresno to arrange his next fight. He’s more than capable to become a top 10 fighter again."