Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: Well-loved boxing legend

Long before Manny Pacquiao ruled the boxing world, there was Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde, world boxing champion in the early ‘60s (junior lightweight). Like Pacquiao, Elorde made several movies, including his filmbio opposite Aura Aurea as wife Laura Sarreal.

Flash Elorde starred with Fernando Poe Jr. in Mano-Mano and Zaldy Zshornack in Kapag Buhay ang Inutang.

Unlike Pacquiao, Flash Elorde didn’t try recording, concertizing and politics.

Throughout his reign as world boxing champion, Flash Elorde remained humble and low-key. It seemed he was not conscious of his legendary stature. And when his boxing days were over, Flash Elorde trained other young and aspiring boxers.

Flash Elorde was born in Bogo, Cebu on March 25, 1935, the youngest of 15 children of a poor couple. He finished only third grade. He then began to work as bearer of bowling balls and carpenter. A friend, former boxer Lucio Laborte, taught him how to box, quickly mastering the sport. He was only 16 years old then.

Flash Elorde died of lung cancer on Jan. 2, 1985 at the age of 49. But his family keeps the boxer’s legacy alive and expanded the Elorde name by opening gyms throughout the country, the training grounds of future champions. — RKC