Gabriel Elorde
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| Gabriel Elorde | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Gabriel Elorde |
| Nickname(s) | Flash |
| Rated at | Super featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in. (170 cm.) |
| Nationality |  Filipino |
| Birth date | March 25, 1935 |
| Birth place | Bogo, Cebu, Philippines |
| Death date | January 2, 1985 (aged 49) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 117 |
| Wins | 88 (75%) |
| Wins by KO | 33 (37%) |
| Losses | 27 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Gabriel "Flash" Elorde (March 25, 1935 – January 2, 1985) is widely considered as one of the greatest Filipino boxers of all time along with fellow super featherweight slugger Manny Pacquiao and flyweight champion in the 1920s, Pancho Villa . He was born and raised in the town of Bogo, Cebu. He was much beloved in the Philippines as a sports and cultural icon, being the first Filipino international boxing champion since Pancho Villa.[clarification needed]
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[edit] Person
Elorde won the world super featherweight title on March 16, 1960 by knocking out Harold Gomes in seven rounds. He defended the crown 10 times until June 15, 1967 where he lost a majority decision to Yoshiaki Numata. This made him the longest reigning world junior lightweight champion ever (seven years and three months). He also outpointed all time great featherweight champion Sandy Saddler in 1955 in a non-title bout. In 1956, he was given a rematch with Saddler, this time with Saddler's featherweight title on the line. However, Elorde suffered a cut in his eye and lost the fight on a 13th round TKO.
Elorde also challenged lightweight Carlos Ortiz for his world title on two occasions. He was stopped both times by Ortiz in the 14th round.
Elorde retired with a record of 88 wins (33 KOs), 27 losses and 2 draws and was named "the greatest world junior lightweight boxing champion in WBC history" in 1974.[weasel words]. He is the inaugural super featherweight champion in WBC history.[1]
After his retirement, Elorde remained in the Philippines within the public eye, prominent as a popular commercial endorser, especially for San Miguel Beer. In fact, his San Miguel Beer TV commercial (together with Bert Marcelo and Rico J. Puno), wherein he famously said the words ".... isang platitong mani" (one plate of peanuts), was recently named as the No.1 Filipino advertisement of all time.
A chain smoker, Elorde died of lung cancer of the night on January 2, 1985 at 6:30 p.m. local time. He was only age 49.
Elorde has a grandson named Juan Martin "Bai" Elorde, who is also a professional boxer.[2]
[edit] Honors
In 1993, he became the first Asian inducted into the New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was also enshrined into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Elorde's father-in-law, Lope Sarreal, one of Asia's most prominent boxing promoters, was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Elorde was also voted the 78th best fighter by the Ring Magazine's writers in 2002 when the Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years was released.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Professional boxing record for Gabriel Elorde from Boxrec
- Philboxing.com - Gabriel "Flash" Elorde
- Elorde Gyms Manila
- HBO: Boxing: Feature: Before there was Manny Pacquiao, there was Flash Elorde
- Gabriel "Flash" Elorde - IBHOF Biography
| Preceded by Harold Gomes |
World Super Featherweight Champion March 16, 1960 – February 16, 1963 |
Became inaugural champion for WBC & WBA |
| Inaugural Champion | WBC Super Featherweight Champion WBA Super Featherweight Champion February 16, 1963 – June 15, 1967 |
Succeeded by Yoshiaki Numata |
