In yesterday’s court proceeding presided by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 173 judge Rosario Cruz, Espinosa’s lawyer Dennis Manzanal presented to the court a binding contract signed by manager Joe Koizumi and two defendants of the case namely local promoter Rod Nazario and South Cotabato Governor Hilario de Pedro.

The contract stipulated that Nazario agreed to guarantee Espinosa’s $150,000 fight purse apart from a $10,000 training allowance.

The same pact also states that Nazario will handle the fight purses of Espinosa’s foe Carlos Rios of Argentina and of those who appeared in the undercard.

Judge Cruz has set for Aug. 31 a continuation of the hearings to to act on a motion filed by Nazario’s lawyer for a cross claim which Rosario earlier denied.

Granting a Cross Claim will give Nazario an authority to go after De Pedro as far as Espinosa’s fight purse is concerned.

This, according to Manzanal, only means that Nazario is already trying to find ways to absolve himself should a resolution against his favor be meted out..

Espinosa’s lawyers are hoping for a speedy resolution of the case long dormant since its initial filing right after the December 6, 1997 Koronadal title setto.

Judge Cruz, in an interview with mediamen, expressed keenness to hand out an immediate resolution of the 7-year complaint.

In he meantime, Espinosa still has to receive his fight purse after a successful defense of his World Boxing Council title against Rios who has long departed the scene fully paid and retired in his native Argentina.

The 37-year-old Espinosa has been forcing himself into several sneering fights in the United States so as to provide the needs of his family.

Categorized as a "person with exceptional ability", Espinosa also has to continue fighting to be able to justify his application for a green card in the United States.

Espinosa has long been planning to hang-up his gloves, hoping to use his unclaimed purse as capital for an intended boxing gym which he will use to train upcoming, young fighters.