THE GREAT GABRIEL “FLASH” ELORDE - (Part 2)
Scarborough-Canada
March 30, 2020
ALONG the way after becoming a champion, he would avenge his previous losses to Solomon Boysaw, a Filipino of American Heritage; and Vicente Rivas, a Venezuelan who defeated him on June 15, 1959.
He would also get involved in some controversial fights, one of which was against Frankie Narvaez of Puerto Rico when they fought at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Here is an account from United Press International of what happened in that fight.
"Flash Elorde of the Philippines took a split decision Wednesday night over Frankie Narvaez of Puerto Rico in a bout so close that angered Narvaez fans rioted, causing five injuries and five arrests and more than $10,000 damage to MSG. Although he got off to a slow start against the younger Narvaez, Elorde used his 15 years of experience to fight his way back. Narvaez dominated the first five rounds, but after that Elorde boxed carefully, counter-punched effectively and finally a bad cut beside Narvaez' right eye in the 7th round. Elorde himself had suffered a slight cut beside the right eye in the 5th round but it didn't seem to bother him. Narvaez' cut, however, bled profusely and he repeatedly shook his head trying to clear the blood away. Narvaez tried hard for a knockout in the last two rounds, fearing the doctor might stop the fight, but Elorde covered effectively and counter-punched at the cut eye."
Another fight where he was involved in a controversy was when at Tokyo on July 27 1964, he defended his title against Teruo Kosaka of Japan.
Behind on points on two of the three judges, he floored Kosaka, who was also bleeding on a cut above his left eye, on the 12th round causing the referee, José Padilla, to stop the bout thus causing a riot on the ring.
Kotai Kikuchi, the secretary general of the Japan Commission, summoned Padilla the next day for some explanations, which was to no avail as the referee’s stoppage of the fight was justified.
LIKE a true warrior, Da Flash would duck no one. He would fight boxer bigger than him, one of them being Ismael Laguna, the tall and lanky boxer from Panama, who earlier had beaten Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico. By logic, he’s got a chance against Carlos Ortis, the then reigning Lightweight Champion of the World.
And so, he would challenge Carlos Ortis twice for the latter’s lightweight crown. The first one was held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Feb. 15, 1964, and the second one at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1966. Unfortunately he would fail on both of his bid, being stopped in the 14th round at both times.
After becoming a world champion, he was already the Lightweight Championship of the Orient but would lost it to Teruo Kosaka (of Japan on April 30, 1962 in Tokyo, Japan) with whom he had defeated earlier for the same title. They would then have a fierce rivalry and would fight three more times. Elorde would regain his Oriental title when they fought at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City on Aug. 4, 1962. Their fourth and fifth fights were for Elorde’s world title, with Elorde winning both fights by stopping Kosaka.
Flash Elorde would popularize boxing in his time that he would open the door for others, though not as popular as him, to become world champions. The names of Roberto Cruz, Pedro Adigue, Rene Barrientos, Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Ben Villaflor, Rolando Navarette, Gerry Penalosa, Luisito Espinosa among others.
Da Flash retired on 1971, financially stable, and he was one of the lucky ones. Managed and promoted by his father in law, Lope Sarreal, his earnings was well invested.
He would also, during his retirement, became a famous commercial endorser. His San Miguel Beer TV commercial, wherein he partnered with Bert Marcelo and Rico Puno, was recently named the No.1 Filipino Advertisement of all time.
However, during his retirement, he would also became a chain smoker, which was the cause of him developing a lung cancer. On January 2, 1985, he succumbed to that dreaded disease. He was survived by his wife, Laura Sarreal Elorde, and three sons, Gabriel Jr., Marty and Johnny.
To honor and recognize his contributions in the world of boxing, in 1983, the World Boxing Council (WBC) during its 20th year celebration honored Elorde by naming him as one of the best Junior Lightweight in its history.
Other recognitions followed when in 1993, he became the first Asian to be inducted into the New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame.
He would also be enshrined into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
In 2002, he would be voted as the 78th best fighter by the Ring Magazine's writers when the Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years was released.
At home, here are some of the awards and other functions dedicated to him. And I quote:
“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.
The event was attended by present and retired boxers who contributed to Philippine Boxing.
The Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque, founded in 1983 (two years before his death in 1985), was dedicated to him. It hosts boxing matches and future fights. Elorde Boxing Gym is now available aside from Parañaque, also has a branches in Las Piñas, Makati, Alabang, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Pasig, Pasay and other Elorde Boxing Gym branches nationwide.”
“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.”
But it was not only through boxing that Da Flash won the respect and admiration of his countrymen. He, together with his wife Laura, were also philanthropists, having built a school, an orphanage, and a Roman Catholic Church in Marikina.
There are many boxers in our country today, who like Flash Elorde and Manny Pacquiao used boxing to get out of poverty; but unlike Da Flash and Manny, many would not be as successful both professionally and financially, and would live the life for the rest of their life the life they tried to escape – that of poverty.
To those who make it, being modest, honest, and living a clean life like Flash Elorde would lead to a better life.
To those who didn’t, it’s time that the government look after them as they too are citizens of our republic. A few, like Anthony Villanueva, who won a silver medal in the 1964 Olympic in Tokyo, but would die a pauper, also brought honor to our country. How? You may ask. A compulsory Pension Plan probably will help as well as strict enforcement and improvement of boxing management system.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, I hope you will be able to read this article.
Related article:
THE GREAT GABRIEL “FLASH” ELORDE - (Part 1)