ON OCTOBER 19TH, TWO MEN BORN NEARLY 12,000 KILOMETRES APART WILL ENTER THE RING AT GREAT CANADIAN CASINO RESORT TORONTO.
Seoul, South Korea’s Gisu Lee and Michoacan, Mexico’s Alfredo Espino have each lived incredible highs and self-reflective lows in boxing; what occurs over the eight rounds or less in their super featherweight contest could well define both of their careers.
In the red corner, Gisu Lee is a man on a revenge path.
Without strong management, Lee’s early career in Korea was difficult; shelled out for pennies on the dollar, he faced top contenders in Korea, Vietnam and Japan — losing a series of competitive and controversial decisions, most notably to current WBO No. 8 Katsuya Yasuda.
Lee persevered to become Korean Champion, and is now enjoying a knockout-fuelled renaissance fighting out of Toronto under the guidance of trainer Sal Malik and United Promotions.
Gisu Lee at the University of Toronto, Oct. 3, 2024. (Carlos Verde photo)
“This feels like home now, and I’m determined to put on a show for the Canadian and Korean fans supporting me later this month,” said Lee, who trains out of North York’s Budo gym. “I’ve had a good camp, and I promise another electric finish at Casino Resort Toronto!”
Canada’s largest city has become home for Lee, who shares an apartment with his girlfriend near Queen Station and holds down a job in addition to his vigorous daily training.
“I’d like to stay in Canada, and building a network through my boxing and Korean community could help with that,” reflected Lee. “Every time I get in the ring, it’s an opportunity to show people where I am from.
“Every night in the ring is a fight for the rest of my life.”
In the blue corner, Alfredo Espino is banking on boxing taking him out of Michoacan.
He and trainer-manager Elder Gama have been in camp mode for a while, originally for a Nov. 12th fight in Miami which later fell through.
“Fighting internationally has been a truly unbelievable experience,” said Espino. “I’ve met a lot of people, everyone has treated me well in Canada and I’m very grateful to have had this door open to fight in Toronto.”
Alfredo Espino is fighting for his career on Oct. 19 in Toronto.
Both Espino and Gama know the matchup is not an easy one — Espino has sparred with Alexis De La Cruz, who lasted seven rounds before throwing in the towel against Lee in his last fight — but are coming to win.
“It’ll be an interesting matchup, he’s had success in the pros and I have too,” reflected the Michoacan native. “I can guarantee it will be a very entertaining matchup for the fans, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to show my skills.”
Looming in the background of their training camp, however, is the reality that a third loss on Espino’s record would more or less doom his world-level aspirations.
“We know that October 19th, we have to win — it’s a step I need to take in my career,” said a determined Espino. “We’ve worked a ton with my team, my coach, and we’re solely focused on taking that next step against the Korean.”
Both men have lived good moments; Lee’s Korean title win over Hwan Young Jo in 2018, Espino’s nights headlining at home in Michoacan to roaring crowds.
The two also bear the scars of the business; Lee’s early-career decision losses to promoter-backed fighters in Asia still sting, Espino suffered a fifth-round knockout while fighting both Thomas Chabot and food poisoning in Quebec last May.
With multiple losses on their record, a defeat could be the final nail in a career.
Korea versus Mexico. Terminator versus Duro (Hard One). In the heart of one of the world’s most global cities, two men with nothing to lose and everything to gain prepare to punch for their futures.
Tickets for United’s October 19th event, headlined by the Smither-Alekozai Canadian Championship, are available now via Ticketmaster. Limited VIP tables remain via [email protected]
United Boxing Promotions
Featuring the province’s best fighters in world-class venues, Tyler Buxton’s United Boxing Promotions has a two-decade track record as Ontario’s premier boxing company. United’s roster includes a reigning WBA World Champion, four reigning IBO continental champions and a former WBO World Title Challenger.
