Luisito Espinosa

Last updated
Luisito Espinosa
Luisito Espinosa.jpg
Born
Luisito Pio Espinosa

(1967-06-26) June 26, 1967 (age 57)
Tondo, Manila, Philippines [1]
Other namesLindol (Earthquake)
Golden Boy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm) [2]
Reach69 in (175 cm) [2]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights60
Wins47
Wins by KO26
Losses13

Luisito Pio Espinosa (born June 26, 1967) is a Filipino actor and former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2005. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title from 1989 to 1991 and the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title from 1995 to 1999.

Contents

Professional career

Espinosa turned professional in 1984. In 1989, he won the WBA Bantamweight title by knocking out Kaokor Galaxy in the first round. He was then managed by famed boxing analyst and businessman Hermie Rivera. Espinosa defended the title twice before losing it to Israel Contreras by a fifth-round knockout in 1991.

Espinosa made an arduous climb back to the top, this time fighting under Joe Koizumi's stable. His comeback culminated in 1995, when he won the WBC Featherweight title by outpointing Manuel Medina. In his first title defense, Espinosa knocked out Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez in the 4th round in Mexico. He then took on the hard-hitting body-puncher César Soto at Luneta (Rizal) Park in Manila and hammered out a well-deserved unanimous decision in front of his countrymen, which included no less than President Fidel V. Ramos. He defended the title seven times before losing the belt in 1999 to Soto who won by a controversial unanimous decision. The following year, he challenged Guty Espadas, Jr. for the Vacant WBC Featherweight Title, but was outboxed and lost a technical decision after their fight was stopped after a clash of heads.

Retirement

Espinosa retired in 2005 after a public outcry for him to stop fighting after being knocked out by Cristóbal Cruz. He spent his retirement living in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.

Post-boxing career

Due to some promotional and managerial disputes, and divorce Espinosa was left with little. He had to take jobs washing dishes, stocking shelves, flipping burgers and cleaning carpets in the US. [3] Espinosa, who was out of the boxing scene for quite a while, entered the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene by training brothers Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz in boxing to improve their stand-up. [4] He also assisted in the training of the University of San Francisco's Boxing team from 2006-2007 in preparation for the annual Hilltop Cup. After losing his job in the US he was invited to work in Hong Kong as a boxing trainer at the Everlast Fight and Fitness Gym and moved in November 2014. [5] On June 16, 2015, after 17 years, he won a case for prize money that was owed to him his by the promoters of his WBC featherweight title defense against Argentine Carlos Rios. [6] In 2017, he moved to the Everlast Gym as a boxing trainer in downtown Dalian city in mainland China. [7]

When he returned to the Philippines, he was added as cast of FPJ's Batang Quiapo , as Roberto. [8]

Professional boxing record

60 fights47 wins13 losses
By knockout267
By decision216
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Loss47–13 Cristóbal Cruz TKO3 (10), 2:13Feb 18, 2005Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, US
59Loss47–12Carlos NavarroTKO7 (10), 1:49Jul 9, 2004Reno Hilton Theater, Reno, Nevada, US
58Win47–11 Marco Angel Pérez TKO1 (10), 2:57May 27, 2003Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, US
57Loss46–11 Zahir Raheem TKO8 (10), 2:02Oct 11, 2002Creek Nation Gaming Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
56Win45–10Ever BelenoTKO2 (10), 0:42May 23, 2002Compaq Center, San Jose, California, US
55Loss44–10 Augie Sanchez TKO4 (10), 1:36Jan 6, 2001Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Us
54Win44–9Ramon AragonRTD4 (8), 3:00 Oct 20, 2000 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, US
53Loss43–9 Guty Espadas Jr. TD11 (12), 2:40Apr 14, 2000Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, MexicoFor vacant WBC featherweight title
52Loss43–8 César Soto UD12May 15, 1999Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, USLost WBC featherweight title
51Win43–7 Kennedy McKinney TKO2 (12), 0:47Nov 28, 1998Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USRetained WBC featherweight title
50Win42–7 Juan Carlos Ramírez TD11 (12), 2:22Aug 15, 1998County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, USRetained WBC featherweight title
49Win41–7 Carlos Rios TKO6 (12), 1:12Dec 6, 1997South Cotabato Stadium, Koronadal City, Cotabato del Sur, PhilippinesRetained WBC featherweight title
48Win40–7 Manuel Medina TD8 (12), 1:22May 17, 1997Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBC featherweight title
47Win39–7Nobutoshi HiranakaTKO8 (12), 0:32Nov 2, 1996Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, JapanRetained WBC featherweight title
46Win38–7 César Soto UD12Jul 6, 1996Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBC featherweight title
45Win37–7 Alejandro González TKO4 (12), 1:12Mar 1, 1996Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoRetained WBC featherweight title
44Win36–7 Manuel Medina UD12Dec 11, 1995Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon WBC featherweight title
43Win35–7 Raúl Pérez TKO1 (10), 1:56Oct 9, 1995Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
42Win34–7Tomoaki IwasaTKO7Jul 30, 1995Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
41Win33–7Singnum ChuwatanaTKO8 (10)May 6, 1995Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
40Win32–7Yong Heung-NamTKO2May 14, 1994Araneta Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
39Loss31–7 Alejandro González TKO2 (12), 2:51Aug 13, 1993Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, MexicoFor WBC International featherweight title
38Win31–6Boyet AndalesTKO3 (10), 2:52May 20, 1993Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
37Win30–6Raul MoraSD12Feb 20, 1993Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
36Win29–6Evgeny BurchakUD10Nov 28, 1992Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
35Win28–6Thanomchit KiatkriengkraiKO1 (10)Sep 26, 1992Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
34Win28–6Eduardo RojasUD10Jul 17, 1992Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
33Win27–6Rudy CabilesUD10Mar 14, 1992Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
32Loss26–6 Israel Contreras KO5 (12), 2:16Oct 19, 1991Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesLost WBA bantamweight title
31Win26–5 Thanomsak Sithbaobay UD12Nov 29, 1990Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
30Win25–5Jun Young-ManTKO1 (10),Oct 12, 1990Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
29Win24–5Hurley SneadRTD8 (12), 3:00May 30, 1990Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandRetained WBA bantamweight title
28Win23–5Juan MendozaTKO3 (10), 2:39Dec 1, 1989Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
27Win22–5 Kaokor Galaxy KO1 (12), 2:13Oct 18, 1989Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandWon WBA bantamweight title
26Win21–5Keiichi OzakiUD10Aug 30, 1989Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
25Win20–5Park Young-DukTKO2 (10), 2:50Jun 28, 1989Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
24Win19–5Pedro RodriguezTKO4 (10), 1:59Apr 28, 1989 Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
23Win18–5Somboonyod SingsamangTKO1 (10), 2:16Feb 18, 1989Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
22Loss17–5Min Young-ChunSD10Dec 4, 1988 Gwangju Gymnasium, Gwangju, South Korea
21Win17–4Mauro DiazKO2 (12), 0:38Jul 23, 1988 Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, USWon USA California State bantamweight title
20Win16–4Ron CisnerosUD10May 20, 1988 Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, US
19Loss15–4 Juan José Estrada TKO10 (12)Mar 14, 1988 Tijuana, Baja California, MexicoFor WBC International bantamweight title
18Win15–3Loremor PontinoKO3 (10), 1:44Sep 27, 1987 Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines
17Win14–3Dadoy AndujarUD10Sep 5, 1987 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
16Win13–3Roger PilapilTKO4 (10), 2:01May 16, 1987 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
15Win12–3Ruben De La CruzKO9Feb 7, 1987 Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
14Win11–3Lee Bong-HoUD10Nov 8, 1986 Manila Midtown Ramada Hotel, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
13Win10–3Ari BlancaPTS10Jun 25, 1986 Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
12Win9–3Robinson CabusaoPTS8Mar 22, 1986 Quezon, Philippines
11Loss8–3Dadoy AndujarSD10Feb 2, 1986 General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines
10Loss8–2Jun ResmaPTS10Dec 6, 1985 Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
9Win8–1Romy NavarretePTS10Jul 19, 1985 University of Life Training & Recreational Arena (ULTRA), Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
8Win7–1Roger PilapilUD10May 29, 1985 Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines
7Win6–1Romy AustriaPTS10Mar 22, 1985 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
6Win5–1Titong DignosPTS6Nov 16, 1984 Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
5Win4–1Danny DuranTKO2 (6)Sep 22, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
4Win3–1Manuel CorpusKO3 (6),Sep 15, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
3Loss2–1Ariel SamsonPTS6Aug 17, 1984 Tayuman, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
2Win2–0Ric SantiagoPTS4Jul 29, 1984 Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
1Win1–0Vladimer RaffyPTS4May 25, 1984 San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines

Awards and recognition

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleProduction CompanyRef(s):
1997Bagsik ng KamaoDavidEDL Productions, Premiere Entertainment Productions [9]

    Television

    YearTitleRoleTV NetworkNotesRef(s):
    2023–2024 Batang Quiapo RobertoKapamilya ChannelSupporting cast [10]

      See also

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      References

      1. ↑ Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Angelo Michael Merino (2002). From Pancho to Pacquiao: Philippine Boxing In and Out of the Ring, Anvil Publishing.
      2. 1 2 HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Kennedy McKinney fight.
      3. ↑ Della, Percy D. "Manny Pacquiao's millions; Luisito Espinosa's lost purse". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
      4. ↑ "About.com — Nick Diaz MMA Fighter Profile". Archived from the original on 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
      5. ↑ "Filipino boxing great 'Earthquake' Luisito Espinosa gets life back on track in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
      6. ↑ Songalia, Ryan. "Boxing legend Luisito Espinosa receives justice 17 years later". Rappler. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
      7. ↑ "LUISITO ESPINOSA FINDS A SECOND LIFE IN CHINA". philboxing.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
      8. ↑ "Boxing champ Luisito Espinosa, parte na ng 'Batang Quiapo'". ABS-CBN News .
      9. ↑ Gerry Ramos (October 27, 2023). "Boxing great Luisito Espinosa lands 'Batang Quiapo' role". spin.ph. SPIN.
      10. ↑ Mary Ann Bardinas (October 29, 2023). "Netizens amused by Roda's antics anew surprised by appearance of ex-boxing champ Luisito Espinosa". ent.abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN.
      Sporting positions
      World boxing titles
      Preceded by WBA bantamweight champion
      October 18, 1989 – October 19, 1991      		Succeeded by
      Preceded by WBC featherweight champion
      December 11, 1995 – May 15, 1999      		Succeeded by
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