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. "
Jerry Gonzalez
Public Relations Manager
Team Espino
559-643-9313
