| |
|
Larry Merchant: The Philippines is a treasure trove of boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Apr 2014
Las Vegas, Nevada -- Larry Merchant shares his historical perspective on Filipino prizefighters.
?I?m not a book of knowledge about Filipino fighters. I do know of an outstanding flyweight/bantamweight almost a century ago [Pancho Villa] who beat a guy named Jimmy Wilde to win the world flyweight championship by knockout. Later in in his short career, he fought a much heavier fighter Jimmy McLarnin who went on to be welterweight champion.?
?Ceferino Garcia, who fought in the 1940?s, was another great middleweight who drew with hall-of-famer Henry Armstrong; thus, preventing him from a fourth title in as many weight classes.?
?Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde I saw in the later part of his career fighting the great featherweight Sandy Saddler beating him in Manila. In a rematch in San Francisco, California, Saddler stopped Elorde on cuts. At Madison Square Garden, I saw one of the greatest lightweight fighter I ever saw Carlos Ortiz stopped Elorde in the later rounds.?
?I have dim recollections of Luisito Espinosa fighting in an outdoor venue in Manila in front of hundreds of thousands of people. You called it ?Battle of Manila Bay, I believe.?
?So to me, Manny Pacquiao may have appeared out of nowhere. You know in boxing terms, he came from somewhere. There is a rich history there.
Tonight, the tradition continues for the Filipino fighters as Manny Pacquiao battles Timothy Bradley for the WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025“THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
, Tue, 01 Apr 2025Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025Lope Tenorio: El Bulakeño Matón (The Bulacan Brawler)
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025Luka Doncic's Shock Factor for LAL Dissipating? Dallas Mavs Getting Playoff Bid Boost From AD
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025Jerusalem Easily Repeats Over Shigeoka, Spoils A Huge Boxing Weekend for Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS LIVINGSTONE BRAMBLE
, Mon, 31 Mar 2025IIEE GenX 3-peat, SAEP Millennial Champ in PTC WED Basketball
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025Jerusalem dominates Shigeoka in rematch, retains WBC World title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Mar 2025AND STILL! WILLIAM "EL CAMARÓN" ZEPEDA RETAINS WBC INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY AGAINST TEVIN "2X" FARMER
, Sun, 30 Mar 2025A Second Coat of Paint: Mikaela Mayer Defeats Sandy Ryan in Action-Packed Rematch
, Sun, 30 Mar 2025Cartel, 5 others share lead after Day 1 of 6th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 30 Mar 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
