Louie mulls comeback - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Luisito Espinosa is thinking of making a ring comeback.

A few weeks ago, San Francisco-based immigration lawyer and fight enthusiast Sydney Hall met Espinosa at a Filipino-owned nightclub in the Bay Area where the former two-time world boxing champion works as a bartender on weekends.

"Louie looked like he’s in good shape," said Hall who was recently in Manila. "He told me he’s been working out. I just don’t know if he’s in shape to fight again."

Hall said Espinosa stays home from Monday to Friday to take care of his kids, John Louie and Janica. He works out early morning before his wife Mariecherie, who is employed as a secretary, leaves for office. Hall said Mariecherie’s work hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. so she has time to look after Espinosa during his training.

Although Espinosa was knocked out by Augie Sanchez early this year, he remains a hot ticket.

"Louie still has a name in boxing," said Hall. "Promoters are calling. Louie told me he got an offer from a promoter who’s willing to pay him a $5,000 monthly allowance to fight for him. I’ll bet the Prince (Naseem Hamed) will fight him now."

Hamed avoided Espinosa like the plague a few years ago. He was so deathly afraid of fighting Espinosa that his brother Riath offered the Filipino a contract — with a signing bonus of $10,000 instant cash — to be promoted by the Hameds. Espinosa, of course, refused.

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Both Hamed and Espinosa are coming off losses. Hamed was mauled by Marco Antonio Barrera in suffering his first pro loss recently. Hall said the Prince might agree to face Espinosa in a comeback bout.

Espinosa is lucky that the nightclub owner is a big fan. The nightclub and restaurant is called Solida’s, located in the San Bruno area. When Hall visited Espinosa at the bar, he saw the owner teaching the ex-fighter how to mix a martini.

Espinosa, 33, was paid only $15,000 for the Sanchez fight even as he was then the World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 3 featherweight contender. He has been struck out of the top 10 ratings.

After the loss to Sanchez, Espinosa’s trainer Robert Aguallo said: "Under no circumstances do I feel that Louie should continue to fight. He had a great career and has nothing to be ashamed of."

Espinosa has lost his last three fights to Cesar Soto, Guty Espadas, Jr., and Sanchez. His record is 45-10, with 24 KOs.

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If Espinosa returns to the ring, his only motivation will be money. It’s not easy living in the US if money is scarce. The Espinosas live with their children in a two-bedroom Daly City apartment they share with another married couple — Mariecherie’s sister and her husband — and a child.

Things wouldn’t be so bad if only South Cotabato Gov. Larry DePedro paid what he owes Espinosa for the Carlos Rios fight in Koronadal in 1996. DePedro signed a promissory note confirming his debt of about $130,000 but has yet to honor his obligation.

When he sat on top of the world, Espinosa was a source of Filipino pride and inspiration. Surely, now that he’s no longer king and only an ordinary subject, Espinosa deserves some support from the Philippine government — even if he’s in the US.

For starters, there should be a concerted effort to collect from DePedro what he owes. A little help from government in form of a monthly subsidy would go a long way, too. After all, Espinosa was once a national treasure.