In celebration of Arizona's centennial, the Star will feature our picks for the 100 best athletes, moments and teams.
Throughout the summer, we will showcase our list - with the first 90 in no particular order.
In August, Greg Hansen will choose his top 10, with a column on each.
Louie Espinoza
Achievement
In December 1982, Louie Espinoza fought Ashby Dancy in Tucson in his second career professional fight.
Less than a year and six matches later, Espinoza was at the mecca - Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, fighting Manny Juarez in his first big-time match. Espinoza, born in Globe and raised in Winkelman, beat Juarez to start his professional career 8-0.
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Espinoza lost his next match, then won his next 17 and captured his first major championship belt in 1987 when he beat Tommy Valoy in Phoenix to win the WBA world super bantamweight title.
Two years later, Espinoza claimed his second major belt when he beat Maurizio Stecca to win the WBO featherweight title. He lost it later that year to Jorge Paez and never reclaimed it.
The loss to Paez was controversial. Espinoza lost by split decision, with two judges scoring it 115-113 in favor of Paez and another judge with the same score in favor of Espinoza. The Associated Press' scorecard favored Espinoza.
"I knew the fight was very close, but I really felt I was the winner," Espinoza told the AP. He finished his career with a 52-12-2 mark.
Hometown; age
Globe; 49
By the numbers
44
Wins by knockout in Espinoza's career
Daniel Berk
