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:
Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025