Juan Martin Elorde? The last name sounds familiar.
Well, Juan Martin or 'Bai' to his friends is all set to follow in the footstep of his grandfather, the Philippines ? great boxer Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde.
Now aged 22, Bai had graduated from college (De La Salle-St. Benilde) with a course in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM). Bai will now make his foremost dream a reality - - that of becoming a professional boxer.
The 5?7? Bai will have his hands full against a still unknown opponent, when he debuts as a professional boxer on February 24 in Cebu City underneath the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior bantamweight championship fight between Filipino Z Gorres and Fernando Montiel of Mexico.
Bai, son of well-known promoters Johnny and Liza Elorde, is also an accomplished amateur boxer.
He competed and won gold medal during the 2004 National Open in Iriga City and took a silver medal finish in last year?s edition in Lanao del Norte.
According to Liza, competition in the amateur level is very stiff, and his son thought that he can be more effective as a professional than an amateur boxer.
?Since age 17, he already had the passion in boxing,? (Liza) Elorde stated. ?But we told him to finish his college first, then he can do whatever he wants.?
She added that Bai had come to realize that his style of fighting does not fit the amateur.
Bai will campaign in the junior lightweight category or 130-lbs, just like his ?lolo Gabriel.?
Said division is also where Manny Pacquiao belongs and enjoys tremendous success.
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