Espinosa, 35, promised "a great night of boxing" for Bay Area fans and said he’s out to cement his legacy as a ring legend.
No less than Oscar de la Hoya, who promoted Espinosa’s fight against Ever Beleno of Colombia in San Jose last year, said he’s convinced the Filipino still has what it takes to rule the world.
"I’ve followed Luisito’s career since my Olympic days," said De la Hoya. "He’s a great fighter. He takes his time and knows when to go in for the kill." The Golden Boy noted that watching Espinosa go for the jugular is like watching a cobra recoil for a sting.
Although Espinosa is coming off an eighth round knockout loss to Zahir Raheem in Oklahoma last October, his manager Noel Rivera said the setback was just a bump on the road.
"You can’t bury the dead three times," said Rivera whose father Hermie used to manage Espinosa. "He’s determined to prove the skeptics wrong. He’s a tough, proud Pinoy and he’ll go out fighting. Matapang at marunong si Luisito. The Filipino people should be very proud of his efforts. He still has the fire and we agreed we won’t give up just yet. No ill effects from the Raheem fight. The only visible damage was a bruise on his right optic temporal area, the size of a quarter, more like a scratch."
Against the unbeaten Raheem, Espinosa scored a second round knockdown but couldn’t finish him off. Rivera blamed it on the "GI flu" that drained Espinosa of about five pounds the day before the bout because of vomiting and diarrhea.
"I felt Luisito’s energy and legs weren’t there," Rivera continued. "Under the circumstances, it’s amazing he went eight rounds with this guy. His pride, conditioning and fighting spirit kept him in the fight, pero talagang ubos by the start of the eighth. No lomotil and any other available fluid replenishments could compensate for his weakened condition. He couldn’t put three combinations together. Raheem caught Luisito on a bad night."
Rivera said he’d never allow Espinosa to fight at less than 80 percent capacity again. That’s why, he added, Espinosa cancelled out a Jan. 30 bout against Roque Cassiani in Portland. Espinosa got sick during the Christmas holidays and couldn’t work out consistently in the gym.
But for Perez, Rivera said Espinosa is ready to rumble.
"I’ve taken good care of myself pretty well," said Espinosa. "I’d like to go out a winner. It feels great fighting again for the homecrowd."
Rivera said he expects a huge turnout from the 360,000 Filipinos who live in the Bay Area. Two mayors of Filipino descent will lead the cheering for Espinosa at ringside. Daly City Mayor Mike Guingona said: "Luisito’s meaning to the Filipinos and the Filipino-American community is tremendous. He’s a classy fighter and a family man. Luisito has highlighted the Filipino spirit through boxing. March 27 will be our time to reciprocate."
Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves chimed in, "I’ve always been a fan of Luisito. Finally, a lot of us will get to see him fight live."
Espinosa’s trainer Danovis (Dee) Pooler said it’s all systems go for the fight dubbed "Thrilla In Little Manila." Pooler credited "fast and furious" sparmates Gilbert Jackson, Jongsanan Fairtex, and James Buggs for toughening Espinosa whose style, he described, is reminiscent of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Leonard, and Tommy Hearns.
Promoter Justin McRay said: "We hope to duplicate, if not exceed, that fantastic turnout (in the Beleno fight). Luisito has time and again proved that he’s still got what it takes to reclaim glory. A world-class venue befits his return."
The venue is the 19,500-seat Oakland Coliseum where the Golden State Warriors play their National Basketball Association home games.
Perez, 25, turned pro in 1996 and raced to a 13-0 record before losing to Juan Angel Macias on a second round stoppage for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas superfeatherweight title in Mexico City three years ago. Perez was only seven years old when Espinosa made his pro debut in 1984.
Perez is fresh from suffering two straight knockout losses to Roger Medal and Humberto Soto so he’s itching to get back on the winning track, at Espinosa’s expense. It’ll be a big feather in his cap if he scalps Espinosa.
Since losing the WBC featherweight crown on a controversial decision to Cesar Soto in 1999, Espinosa has lost three of five but was impressive in halting Ramon Aragon in four and Beleno in two. His record is 46-11, with 25 KOs, compared to Perez’ 16-3, with 12 KOs.
Because of his youth and high knockout rate, Perez is a dangerous opponent for Espinosa. But Rivera is confident a rejuvenated Espinosa will get the job done.
"I’ve been Luisito’s sole sponsor for the past two years and it’s been very difficult for me and him," said Rivera. "But, hey, we’re 1-1 in 2002. Coming back from the dead must feel great despite our bad luck in Oklahoma. Perhaps now, the other fighters, particularly champions, will consider fighting Luisito. It would be their mistake to think he’s shot."
A loss to Perez will likely bring down the curtains on Espinosa’s career.