Beristain Claims Espinoza Hurt Rafael Marquez's Career
By Mark Vester
The feud between trainer/manager Nacho Beristain and manager Frank Espinoza continues. Beristain threw his feelings on the table a few weeks ago when Abner Mares signed a contract with Espinoza. Beristain had been training Mares but quickly dropped him and banned him from the Romanza Boxing Gym. The reason was simple, Beristain was mad that Mares didn't speak to him before signing a deal with Espinoza.
Beristain has taken several shots at Espinoza in 2009. The lastest jab-fest took place during an interview with Sports Illustrated.
He claims that Espinoza waited months to disclose the severity of Israel Vazquez's eye injury, and during that time Rafael Marquez was sitting on the bench while waiting for an answer as to a fourth fight. Beristain says the career of Marquez was hurt because they waited around for Vazquez while turning down other offers.
"I don't like the way Frank Espinoza treated us," said Beristain. "He didn't do the right things. He hurt Rafael's career. It's a risky fight for Rafael. Rafael knows that. He knows he could get hurt very badly. But this is the fight he wants."
Vazquez has been cleared to fight again and Marquez returned to action in March. Marquez has been pushing for a fourth fight with Vazquez since last November.
"I was ready to fight [Vazquez] last November," said Marquez. "That's who I wanted then and who I want now."
The two camps would like to make the fight. The problem is coming down to money. Both networks, Showtime and HBO, are pretty tight with their 2009 budgets and don't see the need to spend millions for a fourth meeting between the two Mexican warriors.
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