# Luisito Espinosa

Luisito Pio Espinosa (born June 26, 1967) is a Filipino actor and former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2005. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title from 1989 to 1991 and the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title from 1995 to 1999.

## Professional career

Espinosa turned professional in 1984. In 1989, he won the WBA Bantamweight title by knocking out Kaokor Galaxy in the first round. He was then managed by famed boxing analyst and businessman Hermie Rivera. Espinosa defended the title twice before losing it to Israel Contreras by a fifth-round knockout in 1991.
Espinosa made an arduous climb back to the top, this time fighting under Joe Koizumi's stable. His comeback culminated in 1995, when he won the WBC Featherweight title by outpointing Manuel Medina. In his first title defense, Espinosa knocked out Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez in the 4th round in Mexico. He then took on the hard-hitting body-puncher César Soto at Luneta (Rizal) Park in Manila and hammered out a well-deserved unanimous decision in front of his countrymen, which included no less than President Fidel V. Ramos. He defended the title seven times before losing the belt in 1999 to Soto who won by a controversial unanimous decision. The following year, he challenged Guty Espadas, Jr. for the Vacant WBC Featherweight Title, but was outboxed and lost a technical decision after their fight was stopped after a clash of heads.

## Retirement

Espinosa retired in 2005 after a public outcry for him to stop fighting after being knocked out by Cristóbal Cruz. He spent his retirement living in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.

## Post-boxing career

Due to some promotional and managerial disputes, and divorce Espinosa was left with little. He had to take jobs washing dishes, stocking shelves, flipping burgers and cleaning carpets in the US. Espinosa, who was out of the boxing scene for quite a while, entered the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene by training brothers Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz in boxing to improve their stand-up. He also assisted in the training of the University of San Francisco's Boxing team from 2006-2007 in preparation for the annual Hilltop Cup. After losing his job in the US he was invited to work in Hong Kong as a boxing trainer at the Everlast Fight and Fitness Gym and moved in November 2014. On June 16, 2015, after 17 years, he won a case for prize money that was owed to him his by the promoters of his WBC featherweight title defense against Argentine Carlos Rios. In 2017, he moved to the Everlast Gym as a boxing trainer in downtown Dalian city in mainland China.
When he returned to the Philippines, he was added as cast of FPJ's Batang Quiapo, as Roberto.

## Professional boxing record

| 60 fights | 47 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 26 | 7 |
| By decision | 21 | 6 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 60 | Loss | 47–13 | Cristóbal Cruz | TKO | 3 (10), 2:13 | Feb 18, 2005 | Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, US | |
| 59 | Loss | 47–12 | Carlos Navarro | TKO | 7 (10), 1:49 | Jul 9, 2004 | Reno Hilton Theater, Reno, Nevada, US | |
| 58 | Win | 47–11 | Marco Angel Pérez | TKO | 1 (10), 2:57 | May 27, 2003 | Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, US | |
| 57 | Loss | 46–11 | Zahir Raheem | TKO | 8 (10), 2:02 | Oct 11, 2002 | Creek Nation Gaming Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US | |
| 56 | Win | 45–10 | Ever Beleno | TKO | 2 (10), 0:42 | May 23, 2002 | Compaq Center, San Jose, California, US | |
| 55 | Loss | 44–10 | Augie Sanchez | TKO | 4 (10), 1:36 | Jan 6, 2001 | Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Us | |
| 54 | Win | 44–9 | Ramon Aragon | RTD | 4 (8), 3:00 | Oct 20, 2000 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, US | |
| 53 | Loss | 43–9 | Guty Espadas Jr. | TD | 11 (12), 2:40 | Apr 14, 2000 | Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico | For vacant WBC featherweight title |
| 52 | Loss | 43–8 | César Soto | UD | 12 | May 15, 1999 | Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, US | Lost WBC featherweight title |
| 51 | Win | 43–7 | Kennedy McKinney | TKO | 2 (12), 0:47 | Nov 28, 1998 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, US | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 50 | Win | 42–7 | Juan Carlos Ramírez | TD | 11 (12), 2:22 | Aug 15, 1998 | County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 49 | Win | 41–7 | Carlos Rios | TKO | 6 (12), 1:12 | Dec 6, 1997 | South Cotabato Stadium, Koronadal City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 48 | Win | 40–7 | Manuel Medina | TD | 8 (12), 1:22 | May 17, 1997 | Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 47 | Win | 39–7 | Nobutoshi Hiranaka | TKO | 8 (12), 0:32 | Nov 2, 1996 | Marine Messe, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 46 | Win | 38–7 | César Soto | UD | 12 | Jul 6, 1996 | Luneta Park, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 45 | Win | 37–7 | Alejandro González | TKO | 4 (12), 1:12 | Mar 1, 1996 | Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico | Retained WBC featherweight title |
| 44 | Win | 36–7 | Manuel Medina | UD | 12 | Dec 11, 1995 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBC featherweight title |
| 43 | Win | 35–7 | Raúl Pérez | TKO | 1 (10), 1:56 | Oct 9, 1995 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 42 | Win | 34–7 | Tomoaki Iwasa | TKO | 7 | Jul 30, 1995 | Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | |
| 41 | Win | 33–7 | Singnum Chuwatana | TKO | 8 (10) | May 6, 1995 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 40 | Win | 32–7 | Yong Heung-Nam | TKO | 2 | May 14, 1994 | Araneta Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 39 | Loss | 31–7 | Alejandro González | TKO | 2 (12), 2:51 | Aug 13, 1993 | Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico | For WBC International featherweight title |
| 38 | Win | 31–6 | Boyet Andales | TKO | 3 (10), 2:52 | May 20, 1993 | Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 37 | Win | 30–6 | Raul Mora | SD | 12 | Feb 20, 1993 | Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 36 | Win | 29–6 | Evgeny Burchak | UD | 10 | Nov 28, 1992 | Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 35 | Win | 28–6 | Thanomchit Kiatkriengkrai | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 26, 1992 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 34 | Win | 28–6 | Eduardo Rojas | UD | 10 | Jul 17, 1992 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 33 | Win | 27–6 | Rudy Cabiles | UD | 10 | Mar 14, 1992 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 32 | Loss | 26–6 | Israel Contreras | KO | 5 (12), 2:16 | Oct 19, 1991 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Lost WBA bantamweight title |
| 31 | Win | 26–5 | Thanomsak Sithbaobay | UD | 12 | Nov 29, 1990 | Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 30 | Win | 25–5 | Jun Young-Man | TKO | 1 (10), | Oct 12, 1990 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 29 | Win | 24–5 | Hurley Snead | RTD | 8 (12), 3:00 | May 30, 1990 | Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Retained WBA bantamweight title |
| 28 | Win | 23–5 | Juan Mendoza | TKO | 3 (10), 2:39 | Dec 1, 1989 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US | |
| 27 | Win | 22–5 | Kaokor Galaxy | KO | 1 (12), 2:13 | Oct 18, 1989 | Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Won WBA bantamweight title |
| 26 | Win | 21–5 | Keiichi Ozaki | UD | 10 | Aug 30, 1989 | Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US | |
| 25 | Win | 20–5 | Park Young-Duk | TKO | 2 (10), 2:50 | Jun 28, 1989 | Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US | |
| 24 | Win | 19–5 | Pedro Rodriguez | TKO | 4 (10), 1:59 | Apr 28, 1989 | Blaisbell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, US | |
| 23 | Win | 18–5 | Somboonyod Singsamang | TKO | 1 (10), 2:16 | Feb 18, 1989 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 22 | Loss | 17–5 | Min Young-Chun | SD | 10 | Dec 4, 1988 | Gwangju Gymnasium, Gwangju, South Korea | |
| 21 | Win | 17–4 | Mauro Diaz | KO | 2 (12), 0:38 | Jul 23, 1988 | Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, US | Won USA California State bantamweight title |
| 20 | Win | 16–4 | Ron Cisneros | UD | 10 | May 20, 1988 | Concourse Exhibit Hall, San Francisco, California, US | |
| 19 | Loss | 15–4 | Juan José Estrada | TKO | 10 (12) | Mar 14, 1988 | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | For WBC International bantamweight title |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Loremor Pontino | KO | 3 (10), 1:44 | Sep 27, 1987 | Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines | |
| 17 | Win | 14–3 | Dadoy Andujar | UD | 10 | Sep 5, 1987 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 16 | Win | 13–3 | Roger Pilapil | TKO | 4 (10), 2:01 | May 16, 1987 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 15 | Win | 12–3 | Ruben De La Cruz | KO | 9 | Feb 7, 1987 | Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines | |
| 14 | Win | 11–3 | Lee Bong-Ho | UD | 10 | Nov 8, 1986 | Manila Midtown Ramada Hotel, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 13 | Win | 10–3 | Ari Blanca | PTS | 10 | Jun 25, 1986 | Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 12 | Win | 9–3 | Robinson Cabusao | PTS | 8 | Mar 22, 1986 | Quezon, Philippines | |
| 11 | Loss | 8–3 | Dadoy Andujar | SD | 10 | Feb 2, 1986 | General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines | |
| 10 | Loss | 8–2 | Jun Resma | PTS | 10 | Dec 6, 1985 | Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Romy Navarrete | PTS | 10 | Jul 19, 1985 | University of Life Training & Recreational Arena (ULTRA), Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Roger Pilapil | UD | 10 | May 29, 1985 | Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Romy Austria | PTS | 10 | Mar 22, 1985 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Titong Dignos | PTS | 6 | Nov 16, 1984 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Danny Duran | TKO | 2 (6) | Sep 22, 1984 | Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Manuel Corpus | KO | 3 (6), | Sep 15, 1984 | Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 3 | Loss | 2–1 | Ariel Samson | PTS | 6 | Aug 17, 1984 | Tayuman, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ric Santiago | PTS | 4 | Jul 29, 1984 | Pasay City Sports Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Vladimer Raffy | PTS | 4 | May 25, 1984 | San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | |

## Awards and recognition

* 2023 Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards Banquest of Champions "Ring Excellence Award"

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Production Company | Ref(s): |
| 1997 | Bagsik ng Kamao | David | EDL Productions, Premiere Entertainment Productions | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | TV Network | Notes | Ref(s): |
| 2023–2024 | Batang Quiapo | Roberto | Kapamilya Channel | Supporting cast | |