IF Manny Pacquiao wins his bout against Juan Manuel Marquez this weekend, March 16 will go down as the most memorable date in Philippine boxing history.
A victory by Pacquiao will make him the first and only Asian to capture three world crowns in three different divisions.
Marquez, 34, is set to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown against Pacquiao at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Also, Pacquiao will be aiming for the very same title won by Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, considered by many as the greatest Filipino fighter of all time in and out of the ring.
Incidentally, Elorde won the crown on the very same date Pacquiao will challenge Marquez Sunday morning (Manila time). Elorde captured the super-featherweight world championship on March 16, 1960.
Elorde crowned himself as world champion when he demolished American Harold Gomes inside seven rounds in a bout that inaugurated the famed Araneta Coliseum, known as ?the mecca of Philippine boxing.?
Laura Elorde, widow of the late great champion, vividly recalled how Elorde cherished the opportunity of fighting in front of thousands of Filipinos, even more than getting a title shot.
Elorde recalled how her husband felt distressed since losing in a world featherweight-title bout against the rugged Sandy Saddler.
Elorde lost a 13th-round technical knockout to Saddler on January 18 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.
After his debacle to Saddler, Elorde fought 29 more times, losing seven of them, before getting the opportunity to fight Gomes.
Mrs. Elorde meanwhile wishes Pacquiao all the best as she believes the current Filipino boxing sensation can once again unite the country with a victory over Marquez.
