Espino
Gets Title Shot! Challenges Pavlik for WBC and WBO World Titles
November 18, 2009
(NOV 18) For nearly ten years, WBC
CABOFE Middleweight Champion and former Contender alum Miguel Espino
(20-2-1, 9 KO's) has been fighting for a better life for he and his
family in hopes of being a World Champion one day. Well now, he finally
has that opportunity as Espino will be challenging Kelly Pavlik for his
WBC and WBO World Middleweight Championship titles on December 19, 2009
in Pavlik's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.
This has been a dream in the making for Espino who fights out of North
Hollywood and is ranked # 3 by the WBC. Under the tutelage of long-time
trainer and mentor John Bray, Espino is now one fight away from being
World Middleweight Champion; something that both Miguel and John knew
could happen if he stayed focused and worked hard. Both have dealt with
many obstacles in their lives; Espino caring for his legally blind
mother and younger sister and Bray coming back from a near fatal stroke
to becoming a world-class trainer and recent California Boxing Hall of
Fame Inductee.
Since his last controversial loss in 2004 at the hands of Peter
Manferedo Jr. on the Contender television series, Espino has been able
to put together eleven wins in a row. His last win came in an impressive
fashion over former World Light Middleweight Champion Alejandro "Terra"
Garcia, who retired on his stool before the start of the sixth round.
Although Espino hasn't fought in eight months, he has been active in the
gym training diligently with Bray. Asked about his pupil's shot at the
world title, Bray indicated that, "this is the opportunity that Miguel
has been waiting for his whole life. Miguel knows that he has a tough
fight ahead of him with Kelly Pavlik, but come December 19th he will put
it all on the line in an attempt to become World Champ."
When Espino was asked about how he felt at his opportunity for a title
shot, he stated "I've been dreaming for this opportunity ever since I
was kid and won my first trophy in the amateurs. I'm so appreciative of
the opportunity that I have in becoming a World Champion and GOD willing
if I'm victorious, I will be able to care for my mother and sister. "
