ALL SET FOR ESPINOSA FUND RAISER
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Sep 2005
Fight for Love, a boxing card aimed at raising funds for former world champion Luisito Espinosa is all set to be staged in Manila on Oct. 22 with two Philippine championship fitghts as the main events.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who has vowed to support the big boxing event, said the city will exempt the boxing card from amusements taxes since ticket proceeds will be given to Espinosa to support his court battle against a boxing promoter who failed to pay him his purse in a 1997 championship bout totalling $150,000.
Atienza said the use of the fully-airconditioned San Andres Gym in San Andres, Manila will also be for free.
Espinosa, son of former boxer Dio Espinosa, is a native of Manila growing up in the squatters' area of Tondo before his family moved to the outstkirts of the city when they were able to build a home for themselves.
When he was world champion, he took pride in being called a "Tondo Boy."
Topbilling the card are the championship bouts between Philippine lightweight champion Fernando Montilla of Manila and challenger Dexter Delada of Cebu City and the Philippine junior bantamweight champion Eric Barcelona of Valencia, Bukidnon and No. 1 contender Bernarbe Concepcion of Rizal Province.
Upcoming fighters from Mindanao and the Visayas are also expected to see action. Glen Porras, No. 7 jr. bantamweight, Tommy Terado No. 10 miniflyweight and No. 11 junior flyweight Dennis Juntillano will see action in eight round bouts along with fellow Braveheart Boxing Club members Ervin Dapudong and Rex Penalosa. All of them will be fighting in Manila for the first time.
Outstanding boxers Joel Alcos of Davao City, Benedict Suico and Pingping Tepora of Cebu City will also appear in the supporting bouts.
North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol, who is spearheading the project, said all ticket sales will go to Luisito Espinosa. The former world champion, who once was the toast of the whole Philippines, has lately been stopped by the California Boxing Commission from fighting again following four straight knockout losses.
Espinosa is now fighting a lonely battle to collect his purse from a 1997 defense of his world featherweight title against Argentina's Carlos Rios in Koronadal, South Cotabato amounting to about P7-M. A suit which he filed against promoter Rod Nazario is pending before a Manila court.
Supporting Gov. Pinol in the project are Espinosa's former manager, Hermie Rivera, journalist Recah Trinidad and Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez.
"We should not abandon our boxing heros. They deserve our support and our love in the twilight of their career," said Gov. Pinol.
The Oct. 22 card will be televised live nationwide.
END
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