San Francisco, California– There is a long history of outstanding Filipino boxers dating back almost ninety years to when Francisco Guilledo better known as Pancho Villa, first captured the world’s flyweight championship in 1923. Villa knocked out the British champion Jimmy Wilde in seven rounds at the Polo Grounds in New York and the Philippines celebrated a new national hero.
Over the years there have been a tremendous number of outstanding boxers from the Philippines, who have come to United States to earn their fame and often times their fortune. Currently Manny Pacquiao is widely regarded as one of the most popular fighters in the world. By far and away he is also one of the most exciting athletes in the sport in the last ten years and the name Pacquiao has become synonymous with sold out arenas and molar rattling non-stop action.
There have been fighters from the Philippines that have enjoyed long brilliant careers and there are also boxers like Roberto Cruz, who were spectacular on just one night. Cruz from Baguio City, Benguet, scored a stunning first round knockout over Battling Torres, to capture the vacant WBA junior welterweight title, fighting in Dodger Stadium back in March 1963.
Cruz dropped Torres twice in the 1st, and at the 2:07 mark he had his right arm raised and the hard-hitting Filipino was declared a world champion. Cruz lost his very first title defense when he attempted to unify his belt against the WBC 140-pound champion Eddie Perkins over 15 rounds. Cruz faded after that loss and is often forgotten but on one memorable night in LA, he was simply outstanding.
What follows is a list of the ten best Filipino boxers and five more fighters that easily qualify for Honorable Mention. The rich tradition of Filipino fighters along with enthusiastic fans who support their heroes and their countrymen remains one of the cornerstones of professional boxing.
Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (44-3-2, 33 KO’s) Bukidnon, Philippines RING Featherweight Champion, Nov 15, 2003 – Jun 22, 2005 IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, Jun 23, 2001 – Jan 1, 2004 WBC Flyweight Champion, Dec 4, 1998 – Sep 17, 1999 Pacquiao has become one of the greatest draws in history of the sport and along with his non-stop power style, he also has one of the some of the most rabid and enthusiastic fans in the sport. Pacquiao began drawing a great deal of attention when he scored a brutal and memorable 6th round TKO over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, to capture the IBF super bantamweight title, in June 2001. Following impressive victories over Jorge Eliecer Julio (TKO 2), Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym (KO 1), Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov (TKO 5) and Emmanuel Lucero (TKO 3), he scored his first victory over the legendary Mexican champion Marco Antonio Barrera, via an 11th round TKO on November 2003. Firmly established as one of the most electrifying fighters in the sport, Pacquiao fought a 12 round draw with the WBA featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, after dropping Marquez three times in the first round. What followed and captured the public’s admiration were three all-out wars with Erik Morales, that saw Pacquiao lose the first fight but rally and come back to register a 10th round TKO and an 8th round knockout over the Mexican national hero in their next two fights. Along the way there have been big wins over Hector Velazquez (TKO 6), Oscar Larios (UD 12), and most recently a one-sided 8th round KO over the previously undefeated Jorge Solis, this past April at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the fact that he is still active, whether it is tirelessly signing autographs at his trainer Freddie Roach’s gym in Los Angeles, or when he is at home in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao remains one of the great attractions in the sport.
Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (87-27-2, 33 KO’s) Bogo, Cebu Province WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Feb 16, 1963 – Jun 15, 1967 WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Mar 16, 1960 – Jun 15, 1967 Hall of Fame boxer Flash Elorde is widely recognized as one of the greatest junior lightweight boxing champions in history. Elorde captured the world 130-pound championship, when he scored a 7th round knockout over Harold Gomes back in March 1960, in the Araneta Coliseum, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The referee that night was another Hall of Famer former world champion Barney Ross. Elorde dropped Gomes twice in the 2nd, once in the 3rd, once in the 5th, and twice in the 7th round before scoring the KO at 2:43. Elorde would go on the score victories over Gomes (KO 1) in a rematch followed by wins over Joey Lopes (UD 15), Sergio Caprari (TKO 1), Auburn Copeland (MD 15), Johnny Bizzarro (UD 15), and Love Allotey (DQ 11). In that fight Allotey was penalized a point in the 5th for hitting on the break. He also lost a point in the 8th round for headbutting, when he opened a deep cut over Elorde’s right eye. Elorde would lose his bid to step up in weight when he challenged Carlos Ortiz for the 135-pound title, however, he would come back to reclaim the 130 pound title; Teruo Kosaka (KO 15), while dropping the Japanese boxer five times. Elorde also score victories over Kang Il Suh (UD 15), Ismael Laguna (UD 10) and Percy Hayles (UD 10), in his distinguished career.
Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo (80-5-4, 25 KO’s) Iloilo, Philippines World Flyweight Champion, May 18, 1923 – Jul 4, 1925 Often regarded as one of the greatest “Little Big Men” in the sport, Villa was also became the first world champion from Asia, when he defeated Jimmy Wilde in 1923. The gifted Filipino boxer was one of only four Asians enshrined into the New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994. Guilledo was also inducted to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, California. Guilledo drew his nickname from the famous Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa
Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa (47-13, 26 KO’s) Tondo, Philippines WBC Featherweight Champion, Dec 11, 1995 – May 15, 1999 WBA Bantamweight Champion, Oct 18, 1989 – Oct 19, 1991 Espinosa captured the WBA 118 belt when he scored a brutal 1st KO round win over Khaokor Galaxy on October 18, 1989, in Bangkok, Thailand. Espinosa would go on to record impressive victories over Hurley Snead (TKO 8), and Thanomsak Sithbaobay (UD 12). After losing his crown, Espinosa stepped up in weight to capture the WBC 126-pound championship by registering a 12 round unanimous decision over Manuel Medina. Espinosa returned to defend his belt seven times including a bloody 4th round knockout over Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez, in March 1996, along with victories over Cesar Soto (UD 12), Nobutoshi Hiranaka (TKO 8), Carlos Alberto Ramon Rios (TKO 6) and Kennedy McKinney (TKO 2).
Ceferino Garcia (102-28-12, 67 KO’s) Barrio Caraycaray Naval, Philippines World Middleweight Champion, Oct 2, 1939 – May 23, 1940 Often considered the originator of the “bolo punch” Garcia won the world’s middleweight championship when he scored a 7th round knockout over the heavily favored champion Fred Apostoli, in October 1939, in Madison Square Garden. In his first title defense, Garcia scored a 13 round TKO over the American challenger Glen Lee, in December 1939. The title bout was held at Rizal Track-Football Stadium, Manila, Philippines and was the first world title bout ever held in the Philippine Islands. The referee on the night that Garcia halted Lee was Jack Dempsey.
Eleuterio “Little Dado” Zapanta (44-4-9, 19 KO’s) La Carlotta, Philippines WBA Bantamweight Champion, Apr 24, 1940 – Jul 4, 1943 WBA Flyweight Champion, Nov 30, 1938 – Jan 1, 1940 Known as “Little Dado,” Zapanta captured the National Boxing Association (later known as the WBA) flyweight title by beating another Filipino champion Small Montana in November 1938. Zapanta would go on to score victories over Lou Salica (twice), Henry Hook (three times), Tony Olivera (twice) and Jackie Jurich (W 10) in a illustrious career. In April 1940, Little Dado captured the world bantamweight championship after scoring a ten round decision over Tony Olivera.
Ben Villaflor (54-8-7, 31 KO’s) Negros, Philippines WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Oct 17, 1973 – Oct 16, 1976 WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Apr 25, 1972 – Mar 12, 1973 Villaflor was only 18 when he first captured the WBA 130-pound crown by scoring a 15 round unanimous decision over the Venezuelan champion Alfredo Marcano on April 25, 1972. The teenager held the title for eleven months before he was dethroned by the Japanese challenger Kuniaki Shibata. Villaflor reclaimed the belt seven months later by scoring an electrifying first round knockout over Shibata in Honolulu, on October 17, 1973. Villaflor defended his title successfully six times; Apollo Yoshio (D 15), Yasutsune Uehara (TKO 2), Ray Lunny III (Draw 6, bout was halted after a clash of heads opened a cut over one of Villaflor’s eyes), Hyun Chi Kim (W SD 15, Kim knocked down three times in the 9th). Morito Kashiwaba (TKO 13) and Samuel Serrano (D 15).
Gerry “Fearless” Pe?alosa (51-6-2, 34 KO’s) San Carlos City, Philippines WBC Super Flyweight Champion, Feb 20, 1997 – Aug 29, 1998 Pe?alosa captured the WBC super flyweight title in February 1997, when he scored a hard fought 12 round split decision over Hiroshi Kawashima. Pe?alosa defended his crown three times; Seung Koo Lee (KO 9), Young-Joo Cho (KO 10), and Joel Luna Zarate (TD 2), before he was defeated via a 12 round split decision to the South Korean challenger n Joo Cho.
Jesus “The Hawaiian Punch” Salud (63-13, 38 KO’s) Sinait, Philippines WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Dec 11, 1989- striped of title Living and fighting out of Hawaii, Salud captured the WBA 122-pound crown by scoring a victory over Juan Jose Estrada in December 1989. A high energy action boxer-puncher, Salud was a very popular television fighter throughout much of the 1990’s. Salud attempted to win the IBF super bantamweight crown on three separate occasions.
Erbito Salavarria (39-11-3, 11 KO’s) Manila, Philippines WBA Flyweight Champion, Mar 30, 1975 – Feb 27, 1976 WBC Flyweight Champion, Dec 7, 1970 – Feb 9, 1973 In December 1970, Salavarria traveled to Bangkok, Thailand and fighting in front of a hostile crowd at the Army Sports Stadium, he won the WBC flyweight championship by scoring a second round TKO over the heavily favored Chartchai Chionoi. In March 1975, Salavarria went to Toyama, Japan, where he scored a tough and difficult 15 round split decision over the champion Susumu Hanagata, to claim the WBA flyweight world championship. Honorable Mention
Pedro Adigue Jr. (36-21-7, 15 KO’s) Palanes, Masbate WBC Super Lightweight Champion, Dec 14, 1968 – Jan 31, 1970 Over an illustrious 15-year pro career, Adigue reportedly captured five different titles while boxing. On December 14, 1968, Adigue won the WBC junior welterweight title by scoring a 15 round unanimous decision over the favored American Adolph Pruitt, in Araneta Coliseum, in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Rene Barrientos (39-7-2, 14 KO’s) Balite Aklan WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Feb 15, 1969 – Apr 5, 1970 Talented Rene Barrientos won the vacant WBC 130-pound title on February 15,1969, when he defeated the American Ruben Navarro by 15 round unanimous decision in Manila.
Dado Marino (57-14-3, 21 KO’s) Honolulu, Hawaii World Flyweight Champion, Jul 1, 1950 – May 19, 1952 Dado Marino scored a commanding 15 round unanimous decision over the Englishman Terry Allen to win the world flyweight boxing championship in a title bout held in Honolulu.
Dodie Boy Pe?alosa (31-7-2, 13 KO’s) San Carlos, Philippines IBF Flyweight Champion, Feb 22, 1987 – Sep 5, 1987 IBF Light Flyweight Champion, Dec 10, 1983 – Oct 12, 1985 Diosdado Pe?alosa captured the vacant IBF light flyweight belt on December 10, 1983, after scoring a 12th round TKO over Satoshi Shingaki in Castle Hall, Osaka, Japan. A 9th round TKO victory over Jae Hong Kim on May 13, 1984, in Seoul, Korea, earned Pe?alosa the IBF light flyweight title. On February 22, 1987, Dodie Boy Pe?alosa KO’d South Korean Hi-Sup Shin in the 5th round in Inchon, Korea to secure the IBF 112-pound championship.
Rolando Navarrete (54-15-3, 31 KO’s) General Santos City, Philippines WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Aug 29, 1981 – May 29, 1982 In August 29, 1981, in Via Reggio, Italy, Rolando Navarrete scored a memorable 5th round knockout over the colorful British boxer Conelius Boza-Edwards to win the WBC super featherweight championship.
