Jesse Espinas
Jesse Oliberos Espinas, also known by his nickname Little Giant is a Filipino professional boxer.
Professional career
Early years
Jesse Espinas made his professional debut on 28 April 2012 against 1–0–1 Abel Gayhun at Iligan, Espinas won via 6-rounds unanimous decision. Espinas would win his next two bouts via first-round knockouts to compose a record of 3–0 before facing 10–5–1 Ronelle Ferreras in an 8-rounder bout at the famed Cuneta Astrodome where he would lose for the first time via majority decision.Espinas vs. Araneta
After enduring his first loss, Espinas went on a seven-winning streak before facing Christian Araneta on 12 September 2015 in Davao City, Araneta would end Espinas' win streak as he stopped Espinas in the eight round of their scheduled 10 rounds, making this to this day Espinas' sole knockout loss.Rise up the ranks
Espinas vs. Canoy
After losing to Araneta, Espinas challenged the reigning Asian Boxing Federation mini-flyweight champion Joey Canoy for the title on 12 January 2016, Espinas defeated the rising prospect via fifth-round TKO.Espinas vs. Paipharob
On 26 February 2016, just a month and few weeks after his last bout, Espinas fought former WBA interim mini-flyweight champion, and reigning PABA and WBO Oriental light-flyweight undefeated champion Paipharob Kokietgym for the WBO Oriental title in Wat Kokkuod, Surin, Thailand. Espinas, who was the underdog, dropped the Thai three times before spectacularly stopping him in the eight round, which assumingly sets him high up in the WBO rankings as Paipharob Kokietgym was previously ranked #2. Eventually, it caused Paipharob Kokietgym to retire until his return on 2023 after a 7-years hiatus.Espinas vs. Dante
After defeating Indonesians Tommy Seran and Silem Serang, both in Bangkok, Thailand, which made him rank at the Top 15s in three of four sanctioning bodies at light-flyweight and also among the top 15 at mini-flyweight with the fourth, Espinas fought tough gatekeeper Lito "Naruto" Dante on 21 December 2016 in Muntinlupa. Espinas and Dante capped off the year with a bloody brawl, the bout was for 10 rounds but was stopped on the eight-round due to a clash of heads that gave Espinas a long, wide gash through his left eyebrow, ending in a TD, Espinas won the close bout via unanimous TD with a close scores of 77–75 thrice.Espinas vs. Joaquino, Abutan
On 15 January 2018, Espinas fought Francisco Rodríguez Jr.'s previous foe Elias Joaquino for the vacant Philippines Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation light-flyweight title, Espinas won via UD with the scores of 95–94, 96–92 and 95–93. On 22 May 2018 Biñan Town Plaza, Biñan, Espinas challenged the reigning and defending PGAB light-flyweight champion Lester Abutan, which would allegedly determine the best Filipino boxer in the division, Espinas won via UD.Espinas vs. Heno
On 11 August 2018, Espinas fought the reigning and defending OPBF light-flyweight champion Edward Heno at San Pedro, Laguna, Espinas' 8-fights winning streak would be cut off as his compatriot cut it with a unanimous decision victory. After this loss, Espinas seemingly took the role of a gatekeeper.Gatekeeper
Espinas vs. Vicelles
On 6 July 2019, Espinas fought unbeaten prospect Mark Vicelles for the inaugural WBA Asia South light-flyweight title at Liloan. Vicelles beat Espinas via majority decision to claim the title. On the weigh-in day, Vicelles was successful to make weight for the 108lbs limit of the division, weighing at 107.7lbs whilst Espinas merely made weight only weighing.8 lbs above the mini-flyweight's 105lbs limit.Espinas vs. Cuello
On 12 October 2019, Espinas fought former world-title challenger and current Asian Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Denver Cuello in a non-titled bout, Espinas scored a surprising, albeit underdog unanimous decision victory with the scores of 96–94 and 97–93 twice. Espinas also expressed his adoration for Cuello, stating that he just defeated his "idol".Espinas vs. Domingo, Gabunilas
After 2 years and 3 months worth of hiatus, Espinas returned on 26 February 2022 against rising prospect Esneth Domingo in the Sanman Gym at General Santos, in an event named "Sanman Bubble VIII", the bubbles series are meant for the bouts that takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Domingo won via unanimous decision, with all of the judges' scorecards reading a tight 96–94. On 20 December 2022, Espinas challenged prospect and subsequent OPBF light-flyweight title-challenger John Paul Gabunilas in San Fernando, Cebu, Espinas lost via UD.Espinas vs. Davidas
On 14 May 2023, Espinas defeated worthy Ruben Davidas for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation light-flyweight title via stunning first-round KO in Alegria, Surigao del Norte.Espinas vs. Tshabalala
On early August 2023, Espinas was scheduled to fight South African light-flyweight champion and subsequent IBO champion Mpumelelo Tshabalala in a bout scheduled for the vacant WBO Inter-Continentel light-flyweight belt on 20 August 2023 in Soweto, South Africa. Espinas would fail as he loses via UD again, marking his seventh career loss.On 12 July 2024, Espinas and his trusted coach Marvin Alegria flew to Serpukhov for an upcoming "exhibition" or "IBA pro match" against Russian former amateur star Vasilii Egorov for 6 rounds. Before the bout, Espinas, his team, alongside Jayr Raquinel's team was able to meet boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. hours before the bouts. Espinas lost via UD, the bout was also undercard of the WBA bridgerweight world crown between winner Muslim Gadzhimagomedov and Chinese Zhaoxin Zhang.
Second rise
Espinas vs. Cao
After beating Thai journeyman Adisak Ketpiam and experienced compatriot Jerald Paclar in the flyweight division, on 21 June 2025, in Huhehaote, China, Espinas challenged the reigning Asian Boxing Council super-flyweight champion Jiangtao Cao who has defended the title twice already and has been unbeaten for the last ten bouts, Espinas stunned his opponent early in the fifth round en route to a stoppage to become the WBC Asia super-flyweight champion.Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 32 | Win | 25–7 | April Jay Abne | TKO | 8, 2:34 | 12 Oct 2025 | University of Abra's Bangued Campus Gov. Andres B. Bernos Gymnasium, Bangued, Philippines | Won vacant IBF Asia flyweight title |
| 31 | Win | 24–7 | Jiangtao Cao | TKO | 5, 0:22 | 21 Jun 2025 | Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China | Won WBC-ABCO super-flyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 23–7 | Jerald Paclar | SD | 10 | 25 Jan 2025 | Public Plaza, Iligan, Philippines | |
| 29 | Win | 22–7 | Adisak Ketpiam | KO | 2, 1:57 | 26 Sep 2024 | Spaceplus Bangkok RCA, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 28 | Loss | 21–7 | Mpumelelo Tshabalala | UD | 10 | 20 Aug 2023 | Orlando Community Hall, Soweto, South Africa | For vacant WBO Inter-Continental light-flyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 21–6 | Ruben Davidas | KO | 1, 0:27 | 14 May 2023 | Don Francisco Kikoy Bagol Sports Complex, Alegria, Philippines | Won vacant |
| 26 | Loss | 20–6 | John Paul Gabunilas | MD | 10 | 20 Dec 2022 | San Fernando Sports Complex, San Fernando, Philippines | |
| 25 | Loss | 20–5 | Esneth Domingo | UD | 10 | 26 Feb 2022 | Sanman Gym, General Santos, Philippines | |
| 24 | Win | 20–4 | Denver Cuello | UD | 10 | 12 Oct 2019 | The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque, Philippines | |
| 23 | Loss | 19–4 | Mark Vicelles | MD | 10 | 6 Jul 2019 | Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex, Liloan, Philippines | For inaugural WBA Asia South light-flyweight title |
| 22 | Loss | 19–3 | Edward Heno | UD | 12 | 11 Aug 2018 | San Pedro Gymnasium, San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | For OPBF light-flyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Lester Abutan | UD | 12 | 22 May 2018 | Biñan Town Plaza, Biñan, Philippines | Won Philippines GAB light-flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Elias Joaquino | UD | 10 | 15 Jan 2018 | Barangay Tablon Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | Won vacant |
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Jason Mopon | UD | 8 | 30 Sep 2017 | Public Plaza, Iligan, Philippines | |
| 18 | Win | 16–2 | Lito Dante | TD | 8, 0:47 | 21 Dec 2016 | Barangay Cupang Covered Court, Muntinlupa, Philippines | Unanimous TD after Espinas cut on left eyebrow caused by an accidental headbutt |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Silem Serang | KO | 2 | 1 Jul 2016 | Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Tommy Seran | TKO | 4 | 6 May 2016 | Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Paipharob Kokietgym | TKO | 8 | 26 Feb 2016 | Wat Kokkuod, Surin, Thailand | Won WBO Oriental light-flyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Joey Canoy | TKO | 5, 1:22 | 12 Jan 2016 | Barangay Tablon Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | Won |
| 13 | Loss | 11–2 | Christian Araneta | TKO | 8, 2:45 | 12 Sep 2015 | Sabang Gym, Danao, Philippines | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Michael Borja | TKO | 2, 1:25 | 14 Feb 2015 | Barangay Bulua Covered Court, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Rey Morano | TKO | 3, 1:27 | 7 Dec 2014 | Central Market Gym, Iligan, Philippines | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Rodel Tejares | TKO | 7, 1:15 | 4 Oct 2014 | Macasandig Covered Court, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Lyster Jun Pronco | TKO | 8, 2:59 | 16 Aug 2014 | Macasandig Gym, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Lyster Jun Pronco | UD | 8 | 3 May 2014 | Waterfront [Cebu City Hotel & Casino|Waterfront Hotel and Casino], Cebu City, Philippines | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Ryan Ralozo | UD | 10 | 19 Mar 2014 | Municipal gym, Dumingag, Philippines | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Louie Arlos | MD | 8 | 26 Oct 2013 | Makati Coliseum, Makati, Philippines | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Rey Morano | RTD | 4, 3:00 | 8 Mar 2013 | Calamba, Misamis Occidental, Philippines | |
| 4 | Loss | 3–1 | Ronelle Ferreras | MD | 8 | 21 Sep 2012 | Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, Philippines | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Nestor Languido | KO | 1, 2:59 | 18 Aug 2012 | Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Mateo Jasma | TKO | 1, 1:41 | 16 Jul 2012 | Public Plaza, Baliangao, Philippines | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Abel Gayhun | UD | 6 | 28 Apr 2012 | MSU-IIT Gym, Iligan, Philippines |
IBA professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Vasilii Egorov | UD | 6 | 12 Jul 2024 | IBA Coliseum, Serpukhov, Russia |
Titles in boxing
Regional/International titles
- ABF mini-flyweight champion
- WBO Oriental light-flyweight champion
- MinProBA light-flyweight champion
- GAB light-flyweight champion
- PBF light-flyweight champion
- WBC Asia super-flyweight champion