| |
|
Elorde grandson ready to rumble
By Virgi T. Romano
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Mar 2006
Now that he has graduated from college, Juan Martin Vicencio Elorde will now fulfill his very first dream - to become a boxer - just like his father and grandfather.
Juan Martin or Bai, to his family and friends, is now training at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for about five months.
The 21-year-old, 5?8? Bai, a graduate of Hotel, Restaurant & Institution Management from (La Salle) St.Benilde College, is the son of Johnny (Elorde), who once gave the Philippines a gold medal honor during the 1979 SEA Games in Jakarta. And most significantly, Bai is a grandson of the ?Greatest Filipino Boxer? Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde.
And just like his father and lolo, Bai campaigns in the lightweight division.
Bai showed he has the potential of making it big in the amateur scene, when he easily outlasted his opponent at the 2002 National Open held in Iriga City, where he won a gold medal.
?Actually, ABAP was offering a spot for Bai in the national team after he won in Iriga, but he simply refused it because he wants to finish first his studies,? said Liza (Elorde), wife of Johnny and mother of Bai.
And just like other Filipino boxers from the ABAP?s fold, Bai?s ultimate goal is to win the very first gold medal in the Olympic Games.
"That's his ultimate goal, although mahirap, pero malay natin siya 'yung suwertehin," Liza added.
Bai, together with the other national boxers were scheduled to compete in King?s Cup in Bangkok (April 4-10) before political turmoil brought about by calls for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down, shelved the tourney.
The Philippines has yet to win a gold medal in the Olympics and the best the Filipino had achieved were two silvers courtesy of Anthony Villanueva (1964 Tokyo Olympics) and Mansueto Velasco Jr. (1996 Atlanta Olympics).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Virgi T. Romano.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
, Fri, 27 Mar 202611-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026“Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
, Thu, 26 Mar 2026Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
, Thu, 26 Mar 2026ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
, Thu, 26 Mar 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
, Thu, 26 Mar 2026Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
, Tue, 24 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
