Gabriel Elorde


Gabriel "Flash" Elorde was a Filipino professional boxer. He won the lineal super featherweight title in 1960. In 1963, he won the inaugural WBC and WBA super featherweight titles. He holds the record at super featherweight division for the longest title reign, spanning seven years. Elorde is considered one of the best Filipino boxers of all time along with eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and Pancho Villa, flyweight champion in the 1920s. He was much beloved in the Philippines as a sports and cultural icon, being the first Filipino international boxing champion since middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia.

Fighting style

A southpaw, Flash Elorde was known for his boxing skills and speed. Writer Robert Lipsyte once described his style as the "subtle little temple-dancer moves". He learned Balintawak Eskrima from his father "Tatang" Elorde who was the Eskrima champion of Bohol, from whom he learned his footwork and maneuvers. Elorde's style, derived from eskrima, has been adopted by many boxers, including his friend Muhammad Ali, which influenced the out-boxer style of boxing.

Early life

Gabriel Elorde was born in the town of Bogo, Cebu. The youngest of 15 children, he came from a poor family.
Elorde finished only the 3rd grade of his elementary education and was forced to drop out due to extreme poverty. He then began to work as a bearer of bowling balls and, besides this, as a carpenter.
His love for boxing came from a friend, Lucio Laborte, a former professional boxer. Laborte taught him how to box, and Elorde quickly learned the sport and pursued his dream to become a boxer. At the time he was only 16 years old.

Professional career

Elorde made his professional debut at the age of 16 on June 16, 1951, against Kid Gonzaga. The bout was held in Cebu, Philippines. The boxing newcomer stopped his foe in the 4th round.
Within a year, Elorde was able to win the national bantamweight title. His potential was evident: he was a solidly built
southpaw whose major asset was his quick hands and relentless body attack on his opponents.
In his first 14 fights, he suffered 2 defeats and 1 draw before coming into his own. He defeated Tanny Campo and Hiroshi Horiguchi both in 12-round decisions to win the Philippine and Asian bantamweight titles. He also outpointed all-time great world 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. Many boxing experts criticized Saddler, known as a very rough and vicious fighter, for the result of the bout. Jack Fiske of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote: "It was a dirty fight throughout and all the onus must be on the 126-pound champion's skinny shoulders. From this corner, it appeared highly improbable that he could have successfully defended the title... if he hadn't resorted to all the so-called tricks in and out of the rule book."
He won the world super featherweight title on March 16, 1960, by knocking out the defending world champion Harold Gomes in seven rounds. That night, Elorde ended the country's 20-year world championship drought. The crowd estimated to be around 30,000, inside the newly built Araneta Coliseum, rushed into the ring after seeing Gomes go down to his knees at the one-minute-50-second mark of the seventh round. The event happened two decades after compatriot Ceferino Garcia, known as the father of the 'bolo punch', lost the middleweight division he lorded over until 1940.
Elorde floored Gomes in the second round with a right hook to the head. The Filipino challenger knocked down the 25-year-old Gomes again in the third and in the fifth, sending him over the ring's lower rope at the end of the round. In the next round, Gomes mounted a brief comeback, but at the start of the seventh, Elorde hammered him again, connecting with rights to the head followed by a left to the jaw that sent him down once more. Gomes got up but was floored again after receiving a combination of lefts and rights. He then met a series of combinations that led the referee Barney Ross to count him out. When Gomes recovered, he went to Elorde's corner and whispered: "It was a good fight".
He defended the crown 10 times notably against Sergio Caprari, Terou Kosaka, Johnny Bizzaro, Kang-Il Suh & Love Allotey until June 15, 1967, where he lost a majority decision to Yoshiaki Numata of Japan. This made him the longest-reigning world junior lightweight champion ever.
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, 27 losses and 2 draws. He is considered the greatest super featherweight champion of all time in WBC history.

Other ventures

Acting

Elorde's successful career in boxing made him into a celebrity, leading him to appear in a number of film productions such as the 1961 autobiographical movie The Flash Elorde Story where he played as himself, and in the Fernando Poe, Jr. vehicles Kapag Buhay ang Inutang and Mano-mano where he starred alongside Dolphy.
After his retirement, Elorde remained in the Philippines within the public eye. He was a prominent commercial endorser, especially for San Miguel Beer. In fact, his San Miguel Beer TV commercial, wherein he famously said the words ".... isang platitong mani", during 1980's it was named as one of the top ten most renowned Filipino advertisement of all time. Another commercial showed him saying the popular line "Wag namang bara-bara, Bay."

Personal life

He was married to Laura Elorde in Tokyo in 1954. Her father Lope Sarreal, Sr. from Imus, Cavite is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. His sons Gabriel Jr., Marty and Johnny went into the world of boxing as promoters and managers. His daughters, as well as the rest of his family have been in the boxing industry since the death of the great "Flash". As a family, they have expanded the Elorde name into becoming a brand. They have made merchandise and gyms throughout the country. International endeavors are still being considered. Gabriel's widow Laura Elorde died at age 92 in May 2020 at Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat, Parañaque. She is survived by 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Death

Elorde died on January 2, 1985 at the age of 49. Elorde had been in and out of the hospital since a cancerous left lung was discovered. Doctors said he had become a chain smoker since he gave up boxing in 1971. He and his wife Laura were buried at Manila Memorial Park - Sucat

Legacy

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 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.
On March 25, 2010, Elorde's family, headed by his widow Laura, commemorated his 25th death anniversary and 75th birth anniversary. They also celebrated his historical win against defending WBA junior-lightweight champion Harold Gomes that ended the RP's 20-year world championship drought.
Filipino boxers Brian Viloria, Donnie Nietes, Rodel Mayol, Marvin Sonsona and Gerry Peñalosa received an award for their contributions. Z Gorres also attended the event. Manny Pacquiao was also a special guest in the ceremony. The Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards & Banquet was launched in 2000 honoring the former and current boxers in the Philippines living or posthumously celebrating their victories throughout held every year.
File:3437San Antonio Parañaque City Landmarks 18.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines.
The Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque, founded in 1983, was dedicated to him. It hosts boxing matches and future fights. It has expanded with branches in Metro Manila and nationwide.
Author James Ellroy, an avid boxing fan, named a character in his novel American Tabloid after Elorde.

Filmography

  • The Flash Elorde Story
  • Kapag Buhay ang Inutang
  • Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo
  • Mano-mano
  • Palad Ta ang Nagbuot
  • ''Pamilya Dimagiba''

    Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
118LossHiruyuki MurakamiUD1020 May 1971Tokyo, Japan
117Win89–26–2Shunkichi SuemitsuUD101 Apr 1971Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
116Win88–26–2Isao IchiharaKO6 12 Feb 1971Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
115Loss87–26–2Isao IchiharaUD1018 Dec 1970Recreation Center, Agana, Guam
114Win87–25–2Tatsunao MitsuyamaUD1031 Oct 1970Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
113Win86–25–2Chico AndradeTKO5 28 Aug 1970Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
112Win85–25–2Kenji IwataTKO1027 Jun 1970Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
111Win84–25–2Isao IchiharaKO9 16 May 1970Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
110Win83–25–2Munchai RorfortorTKO5, 2:541 Mar 1970Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
109Loss82–25–2Jaguar KakizawaUD1026 Apr 1969Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
108Loss82–24–2Eugenio EspinozaUD1016 Feb 1969Quito, Ecuador
107Loss82–23–2Akihisa SomeyaUD1028 Oct 1967Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
106Loss82–22–2Yoshiaki NumataMD1515 Jun 1967Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanLost WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
105Win82–21–2Fujio MikamiSD1025 Apr 1967Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
104Loss81–21–2Carlos OrtizKO14, 2:0128 Nov 1966Madison Square Garden, New York, New York City, U.S.For WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
103Win81–20–2Vicente Milan DeradoMD1522 Oct 1966Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
102Win80–20–2Percy HaylesUD107 Aug 1966Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
101Loss79–20–2Yoshiaki NumataUD129 Jun 1969Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, Japan
100Win79–19–2Ismael LagunaUD1019 Mar 1966Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
99Win78–19–2Kang-Il SuhUD104 Dec 1965Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
98Win77–19–2Frankie NarvaezSD104 Aug 1965Madison Square Garden, New York, New York City, U.S.
97Win76–19–2Teruo KosakaKO15, 2:145 Jun 1965Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
96Win75–19–2Rene BarrientosUD1227 Feb 1965Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
95Win74–19–2Kang-Il SuhMD1221 Nov 1964Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
94Win73–19–2Teruo KosakaTKO12, 1:4527 Jul 1964Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
93Win72–19–2Takashi MatsumotoUD128 May 1964Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
92Loss71–19–2Carlos OrtizTKO14, 1:4415 Feb 1964Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro ManilaFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
91Win71–18–2Love AlloteyDQ11, 1:4416 Nov 1963Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring super featherweight titles
90Win70–18–2Love AlloteyUD103 Aug 1963Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
89Win69–18–2Tsunetomi MiyamotoTKO9, 0:451 Jun 1963Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
88Win68–18–2Johnny BizzaroUD1516 Feb 1963Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained WBA and The Ring super featherweight titles;
Won inaugural WBC super featherweight title
87Win67–18–2Solomon BoysawUD1021 Dec 1962Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
86Win66–18–2Isarasak PuntainorasingTKO3 17 Nov 1962Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
85Win65–18–2Teruo KosakaUD124 Aug 1962Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
84Win64–18–2Auburn CopelandMD1523 Jun 1962Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained NBA super featherweight title
83Loss63–18–2Teruo KosakaSD1230 Apr 1962Korakuen Gym, Tokyo, Japan
82Win63–17–2Somkiat KiatmuangyomKO2 10 Mar 1962Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
81Win62–17–2Sergio CaprariTKO1, 2:226 Dec 1961Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained NBA super featherweight title
80Win61–17–2Teruo KosakaSD122 Sep 1961Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
79Win60–17–2Giordano CampariUD1031 May 1961Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
78Win59–17–2Joey LopesUD1519 Mar 1961Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained NBA super featherweight title
77Win58–17–2Vicente RivasUD1016 Dec 1960Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
76Win57–17–2Sakuji ShinozawaUD1217 Oct 1960Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
75Win56–17–2Harold GomesKO1, 1:2017 Aug 1960Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.Retained NBA super featherweight title
74Win55–17–2Hachiro ItoTKO5, 2:439 Jul 1960Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
73Win54–17–2Harold GomesKO7, 1:5016 Mar 1960Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesWon NBA super featherweight title
72Win53–17–2Bert SomodioUD1015 Dec 1959Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
71Win52–17–2Isami IkeyamaRTD4, 3:0026 Nov 1959Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, Japan
70Win51–17–2Hisao KobayashiPTS127 Oct 1959Tokyo, Japan
69Loss50–17–2Solomon BoysawUD1229 Jul 1959Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
68Loss50–16–2Vicente RivasPTS1015 Jun 1959Caracas, Venezuela
67Win50–15–2Sonny LeonPTS1025 May 1959Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
66Win49–15–2Teddy DavisUD1031 Mar 1959Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
65Loss48–15–2Paolo RosiSD1023 Feb 1959Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
64Win48–14–2Takeo SugimoriPTS106 Feb 1959Nihon University Auditorium, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
63Win47–14–2Kiyoaki NakanishiTKO4 27 Dec 1958Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
62Win46–14–2Keiichi IshikawaRTD6, 3:0015 Nov 1958Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained OPBF lightweight title
61Win45–14–2Hisao KobayashiPTS122 Sep 1958Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
60Win44–14–2Ike ChestnutUD1010 Jun 1958Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
59Win43–14–2Javellana KidUD103 May 1958Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesRetained OPBF lightweight title
58Win42–14–2Hiroshi OkawaUD102 Feb 1958Tokyo, JapanWon OPBF lightweight title
57Win41–14–2Leo AlonzoUD1223 Oct 1957Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Japa
56Loss40–14–2Shigeji KanekoMD1024 Sep 1957Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, Japan
55Win40–13–2Salika YontrakitKO3, 0:583 Aug 1957Bangkok, Thailand
54Loss39–13–2Omsap LaemfaphaPTS1223 Jun 1957Bangkok, ThailandLost OPBF lightweight title
53Win39–12–2Hideto KobayashiPTS1227 Apr 1957Nagoya, Aichi, JapanWon vacant OPBF lightweight title
52Win38–12–2Tommy RomuloUD1216 Mar 1957Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesWon Philippines Games and Amusement Board lightweight title
51Win37–12–2Hidemi WadaKO5, 1:505 Feb 1957Osaka, Japan
50Loss36–12–2Miguel BerriosUD109 Nov 1956Madison Square Garden, New York, New York City, U.S.
49Win36–11–2Luke SandovalKO2 16 Oct 1956Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
48Loss35–11–2Miguel BerriosSD1022 Aug 1956San Francisco Gardens, San Francisco, California, U.S.
47Win35–10–2Dave GallardoUD1024 Jul 1956San Jose, California, U.S.
46Win34–10–2Cecil SchoonmakerKO9, 0:2726 Jun 1956Stockton, California, U.S.
45Win33–10–2Gil VelardeTKO7, 2:5811 Jun 1956San Francisco Gardens, San Francisco, California, U.S.
44Win32–10–2Chico RosaPTS108 May 1956Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.
43Win31–10–2Cleo LaneTKO1, 2:2623 Apr 1956San Francisco Gardens, San Francisco, California, U.S.
42Loss30–10–2Sandy SaddlerTKO13, 0:5918 Jan 1956Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring featherweight titles
41Loss30–9–2Shigeji KanekoPTS1013 Oct 1955Tokyo, Japan
40Win30–8–2Sandy SaddlerUD1020 Jul 1955Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
39Loss29–8–2Leo AlonzoSD1215 Jun 1955Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesLost Philippines Games and Amusement Board lightweight title
38Win29–7–2Severino FuentesPTS1015 Apr 1955Bullfight Arena, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
37Loss28–7–2Masashi AkiyamaPTS1012 Jan 1955Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, Japan
36Win28–6–2Masashi AkiyamaPTS1027 Nov 1954Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
35Win27–6–2Katsumi KosakaTKO8, 1:5520 Nov 1954Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
34Win26–6–2Yoichi HayashiPTS82 Nov 1954Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
33Win25–6–2Tommy RomuloPTS1218 Aug 1954Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesWon Philippines Games and Amusement Board lightweight title
32Win24–6–2Roy HigaUD105 Aug 1954Korakuen Ice Palace, Tokyo, Japan
31Loss23–6–2Shigeji KanekoUD1229 Jun 1954Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, JapanFor OPBF featherweight title
30Win23–5–2Hiroshi OkawaUD1221 Apr 1954Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
29Win22–5–2Kiyoaki NakanishiUD1228 Jan 1954Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
28Loss21–5–2Masashi AkiyamaUD1026 Nov 1953Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanFor Japanese lightweight title
27Win21–4–2Noboru TanakaPTS108 Oct 1953Korakuen Gym, Tokyo, Japan
26Loss20–4–2Shigeji KanekoPTS108 Aug 1953Koshien Baseball Stadium, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
25Win20–3–2Akiyoshi AkanumaUD121 Jul 1953Korakuen Ice Palace, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF bantamweight title
24Loss19–3–2Larry BataanPTS1220 May 1953Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesFor OPBF featherweight title
23Win19–2–2Al CruzPTS1015 Mar 1953Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
22Win18–2–2Willie BrownTKO418 Feb 1953Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
21Draw17–2–2Akiyoshi AkanumaPTS1029 Nov 1952Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
20Win17–2–1Hiroshi HoriguchiSD1218 Oct 1952Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant OPBF bantamweight title
19Win16–2–1Little DundeeKO4 12 Aug 1952Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
18Win15–2–1Tanny CampoPTS1226 Jul 1952Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
17Win14–2–1Tanny CampoPTS831 May 1952Grace Park Stadium, Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines
16Win13–2–1Paulito EscarlanPTS610 May 1952Grace Park Stadium, Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines
15Win12–2–1Benny EscobarPTS83 May 1952Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines
14Draw11–2–1Tommy RomuloPTS1016 Mar 1952Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
13Loss11–2Little DundeePTS824 Feb 1952Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
12Win11–1Tenejeros BoyPTS830 Jan 1952Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
11Win10–1Lucky StrikeKO51 Dec 1951Cebu, Philippines
10Loss9–1Kid IndependenceKO10 16 Oct 1951Cebu, Philippines
9Win9–0Star FloresPTS1015 Sep 1951Cebu, Philippines
8Win8–0Little PatillaKO68 Sep 1951Cebu, Philippines
7Win7–0Fighting ChavezKO720 Aug 1951Cebu, Philippines
6Win6–0Fighting ChavezKO111 Aug 1951Cebu, Philippines
5Win5–0Star MercadoKO128 Jul 1951Cebu, Philippines
4Win4–0Kid SantosKO514 Jul 1951Cebu, Philippines
3Win3–0Mike SanchezPTS514 Jul 1951Cebu, Philippines
2Win2–0Young BasilianoKO323 Jun 1951Cebu, Philippines
1Win1–0Kid GonzagaKO316 Jun 1951Cebu, Philippines