NEWSFLASH ! ESPINOSA KEEPS WBC TITLE
Manila, Aug. 16, 1998 - The entire country rejoiced at midday today, Sunday, as millions dropped what they were doing to watch a live TV coverage of Filipino boxing idol, Luisito Espinosa's successful defense of his World Boxing Concil featherweight title against Mexican Juan Carlos Ramirez.
The fight was close, and was stopped midway into Round 11 of the 12-round championship fight, when Espinosa started bleeding after an accidental head butt.
After the judges' score cards were tallied, Espinosa emerged the winner by split decision.
The Filipino champion's wife was shown being escorted out of the venue under heavy guard, to prevent any untoward incident. The fight's outcome was not received well by the biased hometown crowd.
The bout was held in El Paso, Mexico and broadcast live via satellite on RPN 9.
Espinosa, the second of six children, was born into poverty. Though he dreamed of becoming an engineer, he dropped out of school at 14, and turned pro because his family needed money. When he was six, he started training, and before he was seven, he had his first fight at a local village fiesta.
His father, Dio, and several uncles fought as pros in the 1950s and 1960s.
Espinosa has the height, speed and raw power. He could outbox opponents or knock them out with either hand. Of his 47 fights, he has won 22 by knockouts.
It was sportscaster/journalist Heermie Rivera, as his manager, who guided him to his first world conquest - the WBA bantamweight championship.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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