Espinosa scores big
TWO-TIME WORLD champion Luisito Espinosa scored big at the resumption of the hearing of his lawsuit against the promoters who absconded with his purse in his December 6, 1997 WBC world title defense against Carlos Rios of Argentina held in Koronadal, South Cotabato.
This as Manila RTC Judge Rosario Cruz finally completed the pre-trial proceedings of the seven-year-old case yesterday, paving the way for a full blown daily trial starting November 18 up to its final resolution.
In yesterday’s hearing, Judge Cruz denied the motion of the defense seeking a reconsideration of her earlier ruling denying a cross claim which allows co-accused Rod Nazario to go after the principal accused, ex-Gov. Larry de Pedro, in case a judgement is rendered against Nazario.
Nazario through his lawyer sought the introduction of a contract to accommodate the request of Espinosa’s manager Joe Koizumi for Nazario to act as promoter of said world title fight which Cruz accepted as part of the evidence proferred by the accused, Nazario, a move that bolstered to no end Espinosa’s case in his favor, according to his counsel Dennis Manzanal.
The celebrated case which has languished for almost seven years in the salas of two presiding regional court judges has drawn critical comments from legal observers who now see a speedy judgement with a non-stop trial.
Thus a marathon trial is in the works starting the l8th of November wherein Judge Cruz is expected to resolve the question as to who among the accused — de Pedro, Nazario and Mondejar — will pay the $150,000 purse of one of the country’s finest world beaters.
Espinosa’s lawyers are hoping for a speedy resolution of the case long dormant since Rios happily left for Argentina (despite a badly mangled mug) with his $60,000 purse intact.
The 37-year-old Espinosa has been forcing himself into several sneering fights in the United States so as to provide the needs of his family.
Espinosa also has to continue fighting to be able to justify his application for a US green card, an unwelcomed development which has precluded his presence during the trial.
Espinosa has long been planning to retire from his lone source of income-producing career hoping to use his unclaimed purse as a means to set up a gym for his would be champs.
A judgement in his favor will do it, nothing less.