Both boxers opened with flurries in the first round, but in the second Espinoza hurt Bautista during an exchange then floored him with a hard right near the end of the round.

The Filipino, however, got up and built up steam from there, battering his tiring Mexican rival in the seventh and eighth rounds. Although he failed to knock his 25-year-old opponent out, Bautista got the judges’ nods for his 19th straight win with 14 knockouts.

José Cobián and Fritz Warner both scored it 76-75, while Pat Russell had it 77-74, all for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantam champion.

Espinoza, who grew up in the same neighborhood as Mexican icon Erik Morales in Tijuana, absorbed his 10th loss against 28 wins, 26 by KO.

Before facing the 18-year-old R.P. knockout artist, “Locomotora” had lost his last four fights, and six of his last eight.

With noted trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, Bautista used his jab to overcome the more experienced Mexican, once a contender for the WBO bantamweight title.

The lanky Espinoza seemed to have an edge, having fought the undefeated Jose Miguel Aguiniga, former world champions Mauricio Martinez and Cruz Carbajal, and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez.

The pride of Candijay, Bohol, however, was unfazed, and told Fightnews.com: “I’m not worried about the experience edge he has on me because I’m well prepared for this fight and I feel I’m ready for this step up in competition.”

In the official weigh-in last Thursday, Bautista came in at 118 3-4 pounds, while Espinoza checked in at 120.

Cebu sportsman Tony Aldeguer, Bautista’s manager, said that Roach, the former Trainer of the Year, would be in Boom Boom’s corner, assisted by Filipino trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor and conditioning coach Justin Fortune.