REMEMBERING LUISITO ESPINOSA'S SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF WBC FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST JUAN CARLOS RAMIREZ OF MEXICO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Aug 2016
The World Boxing Council remembers the successful defense of featherweight champion Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa in a clash with Mexico's Juan Carlos Ramirez at the County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas on August 17, 1998.
Espinosa won by an 11th round TKO with the fight ending at 2:22 of the penultimate round when referee Laurence Cole stopped the action due to a nasty gash suffered by Espinosa following an accidental clash of heads.
Well known boxing writer Michael Katz of the New York Daily News reported that Ramirez who was from Anapra, the poor shantytown of Juarez to which Ramirez had promised a sewage system and maybe some running water if he won the title from Espinosa but that the water last night was thrown by angry supporters of 'El Ranchero' who lost an eleven round decision to old champion Luisito Espinosa of the Philippines.
The bout had to be stopped because of a nasty cut over Luisito's right eye.
Under WBC rules the scoring was completed for the 11th round and while Ramirez was ahead on the card of Gary Ritter 106-104, Espinosa was ahead on the scorecards of David Harris 106-104 and Jerry McKenzie 105-104. Katz said the Daily News had it even at 105-105 but said Ramirez was dominating the last two rounds.
Ramirez who was only 20 years old with a record 14-0 seemed overmatched against the 31 year old Espinosa who was a two-time world champion in his 50th pro bout but by the 6th round Ramirez was landing solid left hooks and Espinosa was looking at him as if to say, "who is this guy with 14 fights?"
The Filipino world champion however was landing with enough rights to form a mouse beneath the left eye of Ramirez who also suffered a nasty cut by his left eye.
Espinosa ended his career with a record of 47-13 with 26 knockouts.
Luisito Espinosa (R) of the Philippines defended his WBC featherweight title against Juan Carlos Ramirez of Mexico on Aug. 17, 1998 in El Paso, Texas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Year Ends With a BANG
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai: Birmingham Barnburner
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Experience gain from competition - Lim
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Victory for Swedish Boxer Genti Morina in Professional Debut – A Dominant Performance in Copenhagen
Sat, 30 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024DC jiu jitsu, lawn tennis bags 8 medals in BP
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Three Pinoy Fighters in Crucial Bouts This December
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 28 Nov 2024Camp Notes: Oscar Valdez & Emanuel Navarrete Prepared for Phoenix Firefight on December 7 LIVE on ESPN
Thu, 28 Nov 2024Mabuhay at Salamat: Long Live and Thanks
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 28 Nov 2024