Luisito Espinosa: Filipino Two-Division Boxing Champion
Luisito Pio Espinosa is a Filipino former world champion who held major titles at bantamweight and featherweight. His professional career ran from 1984 to 2005.
WBA bantamweight champion
Espinosa won the WBA bantamweight title on October 18, 1989, knocking out Thailand’s Kaokor Galaxy in the first round. He defended the belt against Hurley Snead and Thanomsak Sithbaobay before losing it to Israel Contreras by fifth-round knockout in October 1991. The WBA’s fighter record lists each of those title bouts.
WBC featherweight reign
In December 1995, Espinosa moved up to featherweight and won the WBC title with a unanimous decision over Manuel Medina in Tokyo. He made successful defenses during a reign that lasted until May 1999. The WBC records his wins over Nobutoshi Hiranaka and Manuel Medina among those defenses; César Soto ended the reign with a unanimous decision in El Paso.
Record
Espinosa’s professional record was 47 wins and 13 losses, according to BoxRec. The WBA describes him as a two-division world champion.
Sources
- World Boxing Association: Luisito Espinosa fight record
- World Boxing Council: Espinosa defends against Nobutoshi Hiranaka (1996)
- World Boxing Council: César Soto wins Espinosa’s featherweight belt (1999)
- BoxRec: Luisito Espinosa biography and championship reigns
- Philstar: “25 greatest Phl boxers” (2011)
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
