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Philippines, 23 Feb 2025 |
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Pablo Dano: Unbreakable By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Sat, 22 Feb 2025  Boxing history remembers its champions—the ones who held gold, who stood at the top of their division, whose names were recorded into record books. But some of the toughest, most remarkable fighters never got that full recognition. Pablo Dano was one of those fighters. He wasn’t just tough— he was unbreakable. In a career spanning nearly 20 years and over 200 fights, Dano fought the best of his era, men who would go on to become world champions and Hall of Famers. And through every battle, in every ring he stepped into he was never knocked out. 
Source: From the Collection of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society and Hall of Fame Made in the Philippines Born July 12, 1908, in Bato, Leyte, Philippines, Pablo Dano grew up in a world where boxing wasn’t just a sport—it was a way out. Like many young men from the islands, he saw the fight game as a path to something bigger. At 16 years old, he turned pro, throwing himself into the ring for the first time in 1924. For the first few years, he fought in the Philippines, sharpening his skills against local contenders. But he wasn’t meant to stay in one place. In 1927, at just 19 years old, he made the trip to America, where the real proving grounds awaited. Dano arrived at the perfect time. The 1920s and ’30s saw an explosion of Filipino talent in American boxing rings. Fans loved them—these smaller, relentless warriors who never stopped throwing punches, never backed down, never seemed to tire. Dano fit right in. No Fear If you want to understand just how tough Pablo Dano was, just look at the names on his record. He fought an absolute murderer’s row of elite competition, taking on champions and future Hall of Famers across multiple weight divisions. Speedy Dado, Johnny McCoy, Corporal Izzy Schwartz, Newsboy Brown, Peppy Sanchez, Midget Wolgast, Juan Zurita, Chalky Wright, Lou Salica, Baby Arizmendi, Manuel Ortiz, Tony Marino, Little Pancho— the list goes on and on. These were the best fighters of his era. And none of them— not one— could stop him. That’s what makes Dano special. He fought in an era where staying on your feet wasn’t guaranteed. Fighters back then weren’t protected by modern matchmaking. If you were good, you fought the best— constantly. You didn’t get padded records, tune-up fights, or soft opponents. If you had a weakness, it got exposed. If you couldn’t take a punch, you wouldn’t last. Pablo Dano lasted. 
Credit: Credit: TESSA Digital Collections of the Los Angeles Public Library Close But No Cigar For all his toughness, for all his incredible endurance, a world championship always remained out of reach. He fought in an era where title opportunities were scarce, and promoters often made sure belts stayed with certain fighters. But he did have one moment of glory. On March 26, 1935, Dano faced off against fellow Filipino fighter Young Tommy for the California State World Bantamweight Title. At the time, regional championships like this were a big deal—especially for fighters who weren’t getting shots at the major world titles. The NBA refused to recognize the fight as a world championship, but the promoter Dick Donald billed it as a world title fight anyway, with the “Daro Belt” presented by Bud Taylor (Source: Boxrec.com). Dano fought with the same relentless pressure that had made him a fan favorite. In the eighth round, he broke Young Tommy down and stopped him. It wasn’t an NBA-sanctioned world title, but it was proof—if proof was ever needed—that Pablo Dano was a champion in his own right. Two months later, Dano defended his belt against another Filipino great Diosdado Posadas, popularly known as Speedy Dado. 
Credit: San Francisco News-Call Bulletin (Photo Morgue, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library) Dano Recognized as Bantamweight Champ The San Pedro Pilot (May 22, 1935) reported: “LOS ANGELES, May 22 (P).-In the eyes of the California state athletic commission, Pablo Dano, squint sized Filipino battler, was the bantamweight champion of the world today. “Dano punched out a ten-round decision last night over a fellow-countryman, Speedy Dado, in a bout accorded titular prestige by the California commission but not by the National Boxing association. “Referee Jack Kennedy awarded the winner seven rounds, gave one to Dado and called two even. Three weeks ago the pair fought a vicious draw.” 
Source: San Pedro News Pilot, Volume 8 Number 64, 22 May 1935 The Final Rounds By the 1940s, after nearly two decades in the fight game, time finally caught up to him. He had his last fight on April 8, 1941, going six rounds against Billy Banks. He lost a decision that night, but by then, he had nothing left to prove. His final record? 114 wins, 57 losses, 39 draws, 37 knockouts. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The real number that defines Pablo Dano’s career is this… Zero. Zero times knocked out. Zero times broken. Pablo Dano passed away on November 23, 1994, at 86 years old. He never had a world championship belt around his waist. He never got the headlines that champions like Midget Wolgast or Manuel Ortiz received. But the fighters who stepped into the ring with him— the ones who saw him bob and weave, felt his pressure, his power, his refusal to quit— they knew the truth. And now, so do we. Sources and Acknowledgements: • Special thanks for their kind assistance to Christina Moretta (Photo Curator, Acting Manager) and Lisa Palella (Library Technical Assistant II) at the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library • Banner Photo of Pablo Dano is from the Collection of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society • All photos and references in this article are properly attributed and comply with the U.S. Fair Use Doctrine Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.  |
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