Another honor for D’Flash

The late great Gabriel (Flash) Elorde is one of three Filipinos enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York with the first Asian world champion Pancho Villa and impresario Lope (Papa) Sarreal Sr. the others. But while the recognition is global, another organization called the National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHF) is citing Elorde for his exploits as a world champion for seven years and for regaling audiences in landmark US venues like Madison Square Garden in New York, Cow Palace in San Francisco, San Francisco Gardens, Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, Civic Auditorium in San Jose, Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu International Center (now the Blaisdell Center) and Cleveland Arena.

The NBHF was founded in 2015 “to honor fighters, past and present and to recognize boxing for the unique and intense nature of the sport.” It has so far inducted over 90 outstanding figures, including referees, journalists and promoters, in boxing. The California-based organization is headed by the late referee Dick Young’s son Bill. The enshrinement rites are held every year at the Quiet Cannon Crystal Grand Ballroom in Montebello.

Among those inducted in the inaugural class of 2015 were Miguel Cotto, referee Jack Reiss and promoter Dan Goosen. Others who’ve been honored were Leon and Michael Spinks, Earnie Shavers, Muhammad Ali, Mike Weaver, Sugar Ray Leonard, writer Steve Farhood, referee Frank Garza and promoter Don King. The Wild Card Boxing Gym of Freddie Roach was given recognition in 2016.

This year, the induction will be held on April 28 in the Montebello venue. Aside from Elorde, the Class of 2024 lists Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Arturo Gatti, Reggie Johnson, Micky Ward, Winky Wright, Sugar Shane Mosley, Barbara Buttrick, Sumya (The Island Girl) Anani, Manuel (Mantecas) Medina and Hilario Zapata. Barrera fought Manny Pacquiao twice and Mosley faced the Pacman once with the Filipino icon winning all three bouts. Medina lost the WBC featherweight title to Luisito Espinosa in Tokyo in 1995 and failed to regain it in a rematch at Luneta Park in 1997. Zapata outpointed Dodie Boy Peñalosa to retain his WBA flyweight crown at the ULTRA in Pasig in 1986.

Elorde’s son Johnny with wife Liza and brother Ramon with wife Geneva will attend the induction. Johnny will deliver an acceptance speech in his father’s behalf.

While Elorde’s exploits are well-chronicled, particularly in repulsing 10 challengers, it’s not widely known how he was introduced to boxing. He was born in Bogo, Cebu and at 10, left for Cebu City to work as a bootblack and pin boy in a bowling alley, earning P35 a month. A big 13-year-old bully tried to muscle in on Elorde’s bootblack street corner and took a beating for his efforts. Elorde eventually became fascinated by the fight game, following the careers of pros Kid Independence and Tanny Campo. At 15, Elorde was prompted by friends to spar with a pro in a gym as a substitute for a fighter who called in sick. Surprisingly, Elorde knocked down the pro and went two furious rounds without a scratch. It wasn’t long after that Elorde thought of boxing as a profession. In 1951, he turned pro as the KRS (Kintanar Radio Shop) Flash and signed a contract with manager Nick Laurel. When Elorde’s star began to shine, Sarreal (later his father-in-law) brought him to Japan where he polished his skills.  That led to a celebrated career where D’Flash compiled 118 fights until his retirement in 1971. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 49.