Nazario denies part in Espinosa fiasco

Veteran boxing man Rodolfo Nazario said yesterday he did not have a hand in the non-payment of former world champion Luisito Espinosa’s full purse in his title fight with Argentina’s Carlos Rios on Dec. 6, 1997 in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

Nazario issued the statement in answer to the complaint filed by Espinosa demanding from him, Joselito Mondejar and Governor de Pedro payment of the remaining balance of $130,349.

Nazario said he was being unjustly dragged into the case. "I never signed any document personally guaranteeing the purse of Espinosa. It was Governor de Pedro who personally guaranteed Espino’s purse. I merely ‘noted’ the alleged letter of guarantee."

"Kung may nangako kay Espinosa, si Governor de Pedro yun. Me promissory note pa si Gov. na babayaran niya si Espinosa ng natitirang balance at kami ni dating GAB chairman Dominador Cepeda ay mga testigo lang sa pirmahan nina Espinosa at Governor de Pedro," Nazario said.

Nazario also explained that he just accommodated the request of Espinosa’s manager, Joe Koizumi, and De Pedro to act as promoter (of the fight) "because the two (Koizumi and De Pedro) had no license to promote fights in the country."

Nazario pointed out that even Espinosa’s lawyer admitted this fact (that he merely acted as promoter on the request of Koizumi and De Pedro) during the pre-trial held on August 31, 2004.

Judge Rosario Cruz of Branch 173 of the Manila Regional Trial Court heard the eight-year-old case last May 5. The judge ordered Espinosa’s lawyer, Dennis Manzanal, to submit the judicial affidavit of Espinosa’s ailing father in 10 days to support their complaint that Nazario, De Pedro and Mondejar had not yet paid the balance of Espinosa’s purse.