LUISITO ESPINOSA GETS TASTE OF JUSTICE
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Jun 2015
Espinosa.
IT?S not only late, it?s very late. Former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa, son of a waiter from Tondo, was ordered by the Court of Appeals to be paid his full purse (in dollars) for his successful defense of the WBC featherweight crown in Koranadal, South Cotabato in December 1997.
The decision stemmed from the case: Luisito Espinosa versus Hilario de Pedro 111, Joselito Mondejar, and the Estate of Deceased Rodolfo V. Nazario and his legal heirs.
In a ruling rendered by the second division of the Court of Appeals on May 26, 2015, it was ordered that ?Defendants-Appellees Estate of Deceased Rodolfo Nazario and his legal heirs namely: his wife Minita V. Chiqui-Nazario and his children Roderick Nazario, Rommelious Nazario and Karen Patricia Nazario Bouzaid, to pay Plaintiff-Apellant Luisito Espinosa the following:
?1) the amount of $130,349.00; 2) interest thereon and the amount of twelve percent per annum counted from the date of judicial demand; 3) interest thereon at the rate of six percent from July 1, 2013 until full satisfaction.?
**
Said the appelate court: ?We take note of the length of time that this case has been pending. The complaint was filed by the plaintiff in 1997, and it has taken 18 years for the case to reach this point. It would be unfair and impractical to let this case go on for another number of years.?
For the record, Espinosa stopped the rugged Carlos Rios of Argentina to retain his world featherweight crown in a championship purportedly staged by then Gov. Larry de Pedro of South Cotabato.
Espinosa?s Japanese manager, Joe Koizumi, created a scene and slammed a chair on a restaurant floor on the eve of the bout after the governing Games and Amusements Board allowed the weigh-in with Espinosa?s purse still unpaid.
**
It was a magnificent bout. Unfortunately, it was not shown on national television the same day due to transmission hassles.
The video of the boxing card, which was started early in the afternoon, was supposed to be rushed by motorcycle to the Davao airport and next flown to Cebu on a private flight. Because of poor signal, it could only be beamed to Manila from Cebu, where the video would be processed for showing on national television.
However, the air traffic officer assigned in Davao left his post ahead, thus bungling the whole process.
As could only be expected, the millions supposed to be earned from television commercials were all lost.
**
With no television revenues realized, De Pedro ended up being sued by Espinosa and his Japanese manager for failing in his obligation. The case, involving Nazario and Mondejar, was filed with the Manila Regional Trial Court, and later with the Office of the Ombudsman, where it did not prosper.
As a last resort, Espinosa decided to bring the case to the Court of Appeals through his lawyer.
The case dragged on as Nazario?s side maintained he got involved in the promotion only by signing an agreement (dated Oct. 16, 1997) to accommodate Koizumi and De Pedro ?for they had no domestic license to promote the fight.?
**
The appelate court, in rendering a ruling, noted that Nazario ?certified the delayed payment to Espinosa the balance of $130, 349.00. Defendant-appellees try to convince Us that Nazario merely ?noted? the Letter of Guarantee....By placing his signature thereon, he certified that there was a delayed payment to Espinosa and the payment of the purse money is, ultimately, his obligation as set forth in the Agreement dated October 16, 1997.?
Meanwhile, lawyer Ramon Maronilla, second vice president of the UP Alumni Association, has requested the publication of the court ruling ?so Luisito can get the prize money he never had.?
?It took us 21 years to fight this legal battle and hope a settlement can be made,? he said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025