Philippines, 12 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Remembering PH Boxing's Unsung Heroes: Part 3 - Featuring Johnny Jamito


PhilBoxing.com



Johnny Jamito.

They never won world boxing championships, some even did not get the chance to fight for one. But during their prime, they were our pambato, our best bet in their respective divisions who carried with them our hopes for international glory in the square arena of professional boxing. They more than held our fort here in Asia but also served as the spearheads or the lead scouts for soon-to-come invasion by future Filipino boxing superstars of the global scene. They failed and fell but their gallant and magnificent fall only served to stoke further the passion of their countrymen for boxing and fortified the resolve of future Pinoy ring campaigners to do even better and eventually to succeed beyond our wildest dreams.

Theirs were the stories that personified the Filipino courage, determination and resilience in the face of great odds. Indeed, alas, many of them emerged at times when the reigning world champions ---like now legends Pascual Perez and Eder Joffre--- were seemingly invincible. And as they ventured away from native shores to establish themselves and hopefully, get a deserved crack at the world crown, they most often fell to that scourge called hometown decision. Complicating matters even further, at times they have to fight other top Pinoy campaigners to determine who was the better local bet. In time, they just fade away. To give way to the new generations of Pinoy boxers who will eventually complete what they failed to achieve at the height of their careers.

In this special series, I will try to relive and recapture the gallant saga of five Pinoy boxers – Tirso del Rosario, Dommy Ursua, Leo Espinosa, Johnny Jamito and Ric Magramo-who in my books, are our other boxing heroes, our unsung heroes.


JOHNNY JAMITO

Before Luisito Espinosa broke the jinx in the late 80s through the mid 90s, the bantamweight and the featherweight divisions had been the waterloo divisions for not a few Filipino ring campaigners.

Even the great Flash Elorde met failures when he campaigned in those two weight classes in the '50s only going as far as winning the Oriental belt at bantamweight while coming short in few attempts at the regional featherweight title. He managed to get a crack at the world featherweight crown after pulling an earlier non title upset versus Sandy Saddler but lost in the succeeding title fight.

In the '60s when Elorde had ascended to the world junior lightweight throne, another Filipino tried his luck at those divisions and went as far as fighting for the bantamweight crown and failing, managed to later getting ranked among the top featherweights for a time.

He was Francisco Jamito, better known as Johnny Jamito.

Born in Camarines Norte but grew up in Manila, Jamito started his pro boxing career as a highly promising bantamweight in June 1957. He will figure in 26 straight ring contests in the next four years where he would be undefeated with only a couple of draws marring his record.

In that stretch, he would face and defeat equally young and promising campaigners as Al Cantara twice, Young Cesar, James Hardman, Jr. twice and Marcing David and win the Philippine bantamweight title over the veteran Young Aquino.

He will taste his first pro loss in September 1961 when Marcing David wrested his national crown by decision at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Unperturbed, Jamito will barnstorm the Japanese ring the following October and battled Kenji Konekura for his OPBF bantamweight title, losing on points. That same month, he faced future world flyweight champion Hiroyuki Ebihara and dropped another points decision.

Returning to the Philippines, he will go on an eight fight winning streak, gaining another tenure as Philippine champion at the expense of Marcel Juban. That put him in the world rankings and a shot against long reigning world bantamweight champion Eder Jofre of Brazil who even agreed to hold his title defense in Manila.

The fight was set May 18, 1963 at the Araneta Colesium with the then still undefeated Jofre making his fifth title defense. Jofre was two pounds overweight at weigh in but the Jamito camp agreed to proceed with the fight.

Jamito was in high spirits fighting before his countrymen and he was gamely trading with Jofre in the earlier rounds. But soon, the skills, power and experience of Jofre told on him and trailing behind widely on points, Jamito was forced to retire in his corner by the 11th round.

There was no shame in losing to Jofre who would suffer his only two losses to the legendary Fighting Harada and even come back to win another world title at featherweight against Vicente Saldivar.

Jamito also soon outgrew the bantamweight and started to campaign at featherweight.

He will chalk up four straight wins including against future world junior lightweight champion Hiroshi Kobayashi, Francisco Balug and Sugar Cane Carreon between October 1963 and March 1964.

That set him up against OPBF featherweight champion Mitsunori Seki in a title fight in Japan but he will lose narrowly on points.

Due to his creditable performance, Jamito was included in the world rankings in the featherweights and that would set him up for more overseas assignments that included fights in Venezuela twice against Pedro Gomez and, Freddie Rengifo, both WBA favored local fighters, Mexico and mostly in Japan where he would suffer most of his late career defeats, mostly on points.

He would have his last go at the OPBF title but again Mitsunori Seki would frustrate his bid in Japan.

He will not have another chance to fight for world title despite his status as rated fighter until his decline and retirement in 1971.

For a while in the 60s, Jamito held the Filipino fort in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions paving the way for the future successful onslaughts of Louie Espinosa, Gerry Penslosa, Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire.

Hence Johnny Jamito was among our past, unsung boxing heroes.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Full Fight Card Announced for Sanman Boxing Show Featuring Marlon Tapales on April 27
    , Sat, 12 Apr 2025
  • TONIGHTS Roy Jones Jr Card Weighin Results
    , Sat, 12 Apr 2025
  • 2025 PHILRACOM ROAD TO TRIPLE CROWN
    , Sat, 12 Apr 2025
  • Haven for Pinoy boxers
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM FISTS OF FURY 6 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD, IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • Golden State Warriors Shoot Selves on Foot, Lose to Wembanyama-less Spurs, 114-111
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • IIEE-PSME Quezon City wins three in a row in PCAP All-Filipino Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR BOOTS VS. STANIONIS IN ATLANTIC CITY
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • Ramon Cardenas: “Undisputed Is The Ultimate Prize”
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • Marco “El Tiburón” Romero returns to Denver this Saturday for another Rocky Mountain High
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran Ready to make a statement competing in inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TRAINER KENNY ADAMS
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS REIGNING WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN TO A MULTI-FIGHT DEAL
    , Fri, 11 Apr 2025
  • Tapales, Canoy to fight in Gensan on April 27
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev’s address: IBA remains a tour de force for boxers worldwide
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS AND STANIONIS FACE-OFF AHEAD OF ATLANTIC CITY BLOCKBUSTER
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • Triple Championship Showdown in Bacolod on May 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • Rafael Espinoza and Emiliano Fernando Vargas Host Mexico City Press Conference
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • GM Antonio finishes 2nd, IM Bagamasbad settles for 3rd in Melbourne
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • ACTRESS AND PRODUCER SYDNEY SWEENEY NAMED 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND PARADE OF CHAMPIONS GRAND MARSHAL
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • WBO Awards Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis The World Title He Won In February
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • Cruiserweight Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki Injured Forced to withdraw from May 3rd world title fight in Saudi Arabia vs. WBC Champion Badou Jack
    , Thu, 10 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 8 April 2025: Alimkhanuly Stops Ngamissengue to Retain IBF/WBO Titles; Hrgovic Outpoints Joyce; Torrez Decisions Vianello; Tszyu TKOs Spencer in 4
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 09 Apr 2025
  • Marlon Tapales' WBC International Title Showdown Moved to April 27 in Gensan
    , Wed, 09 Apr 2025
  • Arnold Gonzalez & Mikiah Kreps Featured April 18th in Niagara Falls
    , Wed, 09 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.