ESPINOSA DEFENDS CROWN TODAY
IN CALIFORNIA
Manila, Nov. 29, 1998
- Boxing aficionados are eagerly awaiting the result of the fight today
in Indio, California, where World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion
Luisito Espinosa will stake his crown against "King" Kennedy
McKinney today.
Espinosa, 31, is defending the crown he has held since Dec. 11, 1995 for the eighth time. He is also eyeing a possible big money showdown with England's Prince Naseem Hamed. Vegas bookmakers have installed Espinosa a slight 7-5 favorite to keep the Philippines' only world boxing crown.
McKinney, 32, the 1988 Olympic bantamweight gold medallist is seeking his fourth world boxing title. He has held the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Union (WBU) junior featherweight crown.
Luisito will be relying on his vast ring experience and a strong left hook. Espinosa enters the ring with a 43-7 record, 22 by knockout while McKinney totes a 33-3 (19) slate.
While Espinosa is a natural featherweight, McKinney is a junior featherweight who is hoping to face Hamed after a win over Espinosa.
At 5'8", McKinney is one inch taller than Espinosa but both boxers are considered among the best in their division.
Former WBC flyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa predicts that Espinosa will stop McKinney at least in the middle round.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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