By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Veteran broadcaster Hermie Rivera who steered the career of Luisito Espinosa to the world bantamweight championship and later parted ways after a dispute with Espinosa’s wife Marichere has commended WBC president Jose Sulaiman for his plan to name Espinosa as an Ambassador of the WBC.
However, Rivera said that what Espinosa needs is to get paid for his title defense against Carlos Rios some eight years ago in Koronodal which was handled by then governor Larry de Pedro. Rivera noted that Espiniosa was “ down in the dumps” even as he assailed the judge who he claimed had been “sitting on the case” filed by Espinosa’s lawyers to collect over $130,000 still owed him by the promoters.
While informing Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today about his plan to name Espinosa as a WBC Ambassador, Sulaiman echoed the pleas of several boxing fans and Espinosa supporters including Rivera who want him to retire. Sulaiman warned that if he fights again Espinosa would “only be risking his health and his future.”
Sulaiman also disclosed that “all the mandatory defenses and elimination bouts” of the WBC boxers would be reviewed at its 43rd annual convention in Spain from October2-8. He was making particular reference to WBC No. 2 light flyweight contender Juanito Rubillar who wants to fight newly crowned champion and fellow Filipino Brian Viloria who was ranked No.1 for the title.
Viloria won the crown with a sensational first round knockout victory over Eric Ortiz of Mexico on what has been referred to as a “Glorious Sunday” for Philippine boxing in which WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista scored a spectacular third round KO over rugged Colombian southpaw Felix Flores Murillo and ring idol Manny Pacquiao blasted veteran Hector Velazquez into submission in six rounds.
Sulaiman noted that they would discuss the Rubillar case with GAB chairman Eric Buhain who is also expected to attend the convention.
