Career
Esa began his amateur boxing career at the age of 17 in New Jersey, accumulating a record of 7-1 with 7 knockouts. At the age of 20, while preparing for the Olympic trials, Esa was hit in the face with a bottle and required over 300 facial stitches, which ended his amateur career. After playing defensive end in football for Saint Peter"s College in New Jersey, Esa tried out for the Miami Dolphins.
He suffered a helmet strike to his knee which abruptly ended any football career.
A few months later, after he successfully rehabilitated his knee, Esa heard that boxing legend Muhammad Ali was training at a local gym, so he headed down for the opportunity to meet his hero. While at the gym watching Ali, Esa hung out in the back and worked on the heavy bag.
Angelo Dundee was impressed with Esa"s technique and power and introduced himself. The next day Esa met with the Dundee brothers to discuss his professional career.
Dundee introduced Esa to Murray Gaby who became his manager and Dwayne Simpson who became his trainer.
Esa fought under the Mendoza Group, who he credits for helping his professional boxing career. A few weeks later, on July 22, 1975, Esa made his professional debut at the Miami Beach Convention Hall against James Edwards. Esa, who had been arrested in his hotel room and had spent the previous night in jail, was knocked out in the third round.
The fight"s promoters Lou Duva and Bob Arum were criticized for promoting a mismatch.
Following losses in three of four fights during the next three years, Esa"s career ended in 1981. According to his cornerman, Ferdie Pacheco, Esa had a precarious reputation as a journeyman who "couldn"t take a hard rap" and was "never in shape" enough to last more than a couple of rounds.
In 2012, Lou Esa was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. After moving to Spain, Esa was found guilty of involvement in narcotics racketeering and was extradited back to the United States.
He served seven and a half years in the federal penitentiary before being released in 2003.
