Boxing Champions
Boxing Champions
Gabriel Elorde
Gabriel Elorde
| Gabriel Elorde | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Gabriel Elorde |
| Nickname(s) | Flash |
| Rated at | Super featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft. 5½ in. (166 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.
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.
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 at the age of 49.
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, was one of Asia's most prominent boxing promoters who was himself later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Elorde has a grandson named Juan Martin "Bai" Elorde who's also a professional boxer.
See also
- List of WBC world champions
- List of undisputed boxing champions
References
- ^ Liza Elorde: Flash Elorde Saved His Grandson Bai
Even more about Gabriel Elorde
Gabriel Elorde
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 ...
Gabriel Elorde - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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