For the THRILLAinMANILA/Asian Storm's 1,000th post, he'd like to share with you some history on the 3 Filipino Boxing Greats. Its not all Pacquiao for the Philippines.

Two of them have been enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame (Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde), while the other, Ceferino Garcia is a prime candidate for enshrinement soon (he has been enshrined only in the World Boxing Hall Of Fame).

Pancho Villa (Francisco Guilledo)-(Flyweight/ Bantamweight) 105-73(22 KOs)-5-4
- Considered by many as the Greatest Asian
Fighter in History
- The First Asian World Champion
- Also regarded as the Greatest Flyweight
of the century

Won the world flyweight title from Jimmy Wilde at the Polo Grounds in 1923. Wilde had only two losses going into the fight.

Was testing the waters in the Bantamweight division when he died.
Died at the age of 23, soon after facing Jimmy McLarnin with a swollen jaw, an infected tooth having been extracted just hours before he climbed the ring.

Gabriel "Flash" Elorde (Feather/Jr. Light/ Light) 117 - 88 (33 KOs)-27- 2

Acknowledged as the first, widely recognized, Jr. Lightweight world title holder (the division had just been created) after trashing Harold Gomes.

Had failed campaigns in the featherweight division, but can look back to a win over the immortal Sandy Saddler by points in a non-title fight in Manila (Saddler subsequently evened the score by KO'ing Elorde in a title bout in NY).

Went up to Lightweight --even as he held on to the Jr. Light title-- to face Carlos Ortiz but was KOd. He went back down to Jr. Light; then not too long after, lost the title.

His multiple meetings with Tirou Kosaka of Japan for the Oriental Lightweight crown were sagas many classify as equal to those of any Asian boxing rivalries. Elorde won each of those meetings.

Ceferino Garcia (welterweight/ middleweight) 100 wins (65 KOs), 27 losses, 9 draws.
Memorable fights: Won the World Middleweight crown from Fred Apostoli on Oct 2, 1939 in Madison Square Garden via a bolo punch in the 7th round. Lost a controversial decision to and also held the immortal Henry Armstrong to a draw., in two encounters. (for the World Welterweight title in 1938 and the World Middleweight title in 1940) Credited with inventing the "Bolo Punch", now illegal.

Some in the New York press speculated at the time that were it not for the presence of Armstrong, Garcia would have been the main force at welterweight.

Garcia also met the great Barney Ross and lost a close decision.


Other Filipino fighters worthy of note:
1. Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa - Former WBC Featherweight Champion
2. Gerry Penalosa - Comebacking former WBC Superflyweight Champion
3. Dodie Boy Penalosa - Former IBF Flyweight Champion
4. Rolando "The Guns Of" Navarette - Former IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion


Cheers ! :)

Congratulations buddy! 1,000th post!!! :D

By the way, I'm surprised why Garcia has not been enshrined. The only two who derailed his attempts at the World Welterweight title were Henry Armstrong and Barney Ross-- both now outstanding denizens at Canastota! Garcia held the NYSAC version of the title for a long time! Armstrong's win enabled him to make the claim of holding three world titles in three divisions, SIMULTAENOUSLY! A feat not achieved before or since! There are many who argue that Armstrong was even greater than Robinson in the all-time list! (I won't get into that fray). Armstrong later met Garcia again for a "world" title that was recognized only in the state of California. The second meeting ended in a draw. Holding an Armstrong to a draw, and losing by close decision?! That doesn't get you into the IBHF?

After Ross and ARmstrong, Garcia was never given another shot at the world crown, though as I can recall, he kept on winning! :o

Garcia even has a better record than a number of those enshrined in Canastota, whether one measures W-L or KOs.

With regard Pancho Villa, that little fella has some work ethic! In the year that he won the title from Jimmy Wilde he had 20 fights! Yes, all in one year! He had 9 before meeting Wilde and then 10 after! He had similar years before or after becoming champion! Because he was not much of a puncher, he had to go the full route often! Notheless, it seems that fighting was just another day at the office! :eek: WoW!!! :D

Congratulations buddy! 1,000th post!!!

By the way, I'm surprised why Garcia has not been enshrined. The only two who derailed his attempts at the World Welterweight title were Henry Armstrong and Barney Ross-- both now outstanding denizens at Canastota! Garcia held the NYSAC version of the title for a long time! Armstrong's win enabled him to make the claim of holding three world titles in three divisions, SIMULTAENOUSLY! A feat not achieved before or since! There are many who argue that Armstrong was even greater than Robinson in the all-time list! (I won't get into that fray). Armstrong later met Garcia again for a "world" title that was recognized only in the state of California. The second meeting ended in a draw. Holding an Armstrong to a draw, and losing by close decision?! That doesn't get you into the IBHF?


After Ross and ARmstrong, Garcia was never given another shot at the world crown, though as I can recall, he kept on winning! :o

Garcia even has a better record than a number of those enshrined in Canastota, whether one measures W-L or KOs.

With regard Pancho Villa, that little fella has some work ethic! In the year that he won the title from Jimmy Wilde he had 20 fights! Yes, all in one year! He had 9 before meeting Wilde and then 10 after! He had similar years before or after becoming champion! Because he was not much of a puncher, he had to go the full route often! Notheless, it seems that fighting was just another day at the office! :eek: WoW!!! :D

Thanks buddy ! Yup, Garcia's induction has been long delayed.
last time the Ring Magazine editor was here this year (his name escapes me right now), he confirmed that Garcia most probably be inducted soon ';)

THE LEGEND OF Gabriel "Flash" Elorde
- From the International Boxing Hall of Fame Annals

Born: March 22, 1935
Died: Jan. 2, 1985
Total Bouts: 117
Won: 88
Lost: 27
Drew: 2
KOs: 33
Induction: 1993


GABRIEL "FLASH" Elorde is one of the greatest fighters to ever come out of the Asia-Pacific region. Every year from 1952 to '67 he was involved in a national, regional or world title bout. Elorde, who turned pro in 1951 at age 16, had his first 11 fights in his hometown of Cebu, Philippines, winning 10 and suffering one kayo loss.
He branched out the following year and continued his success, eventually winning the national bantamweight title in Manila then, traveling to Tokyo, where he won the Oriental bantamweight crown via 12-round decision from Hiroshi Horiguchi. In 1953, he lost a bid for the national featherweight crown, dropping a 12-round decision to Larry Bataan in Manila and later dropped a 12-round verdict to Japanese junior lightweight champ Masashi Akiyama in Tokyo.

His quest for success at higher weights finally bore fruit in 1954. After dropping another 12-round nod, this time to Shigeji Kaneko, for the Oriental 126-pound belt, he beat Tommy Romulo in Manila to win the Philippines junior lightweight crown. Despite losing the national title in 1955, he surprised everyone when he outpointed reigning featherweight king Sandy Saddler over 10 rounds in a non-title fight in Manila.

With his newly won status as a world-ranked fighter Elorde traveled to San Francisco in Jan. 1956 for a rematch against Saddler, this time with the title on the line. The challenger fought brilliantly, but a cut over his eye forced the bout to be stopped in the 13th round, with Elorde ahead on the judges cards. It was also Saddler's last title defense.

Although Elorde didn't get another title shot for the rest of the decade, he remained a ranked contender and eventually won national and regional titles as a lightweight. In March 1960, he won the world junior lightweight title with a seventh-round stoppage of Harold Gomes in Quezon City, in the Phillipines.

Over the next eight years he had the most prolific reign at the weight. He had 10 successful defenses and twice pushed Carloz Ortiz to the 14th round in a bid to win the lightweight belt from the future Hall-of-Famer.

Elorde's fall began in June of 1966 when he lost the Oriental lightweight title to Yoshiaki Numata via 12-round verdict. A year later, Numata relieved Elorde of the world 130-pound crown with a 15-round points verdict.

Elorde fought and lost his next fight. He was inactive for a year-and-half before resuming his career, but retired for good after winning just six of 10 bouts.

The Legend of Pancho Villa
- From the International Boxing Hall of Fame Annals

Born: Aug. 1, 1901
Died: July 14, 1925
Total Bouts: 105
Won: 73
Lost: 5
Drew: 4
KOs: 22
No Decisions: 23
Induction: 1994


Pancho Villa is considered by many to be the greatest Asian fighter in boxing history. Just over five feet tall, Villa was explosive and unrelenting in the ring. He had fought 105 times, sometimes with as little as a week between bouts, by the time of his death at age 24. Born Francisco Guilledo on the island of Panay in the Philippines, Villa often fought with other boys in his village. His reputation with his fists brought him to the attention of promoter Frank Churchill in Manila. Impressed with the then-80-pound fighter, Churchill began handling Villa and, reportedly, named him after the famous Mexican bandit.
Villa fought exclusively in the Philippines from 1919 through April 1922, often facing much larger men. In that time, he lost only three fights and captured two Filipino titles. In 1922, Churchill took Villa to the United States. The young Filipino fought two no-decision bouts in New Jersey, losing-according to the newspapers-to Abe Goldstein and Frankie Genaro. The America press and public were at first slow to take notice of Villa. Churchill had difficulty arranging fights in major venues until, for almost no money, he got Villa and another Filipino, Elino Flores, on a card at Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Each fighter won his bout, and the crowd gave Villa a standing ovation.

Three months after his arrival in the U.S., Villa knocked out Johnny Buff in eleven rounds to win the American flyweight title. Genaro took the title back in 1923 in a 15-round decision that most observers believed belonged to Villa. Meanwhile, British flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde had come to New York seeking the world title. Although Genaro was a likely opponent, the now wildly popular Villa was considered a better draw. In the match at New York's Polo Grounds, Villa displayed his relentless, attacking style, peppering Wilde with punches from both hands. In the seventh round, Villa battered Wilde to a state of helplessness, ending the fight and Wilde's career.

Although a proposed rematch with Genaro never took place, Villa defended his title several times in the U.S. and the Philippines. Villa fought in a non-title bout with Jimmy McLarnin on July 4, 1925 in Oakland. Weak from the recent extraction of a wisdom tooth, Villa lost the decision. It was to be his last fight. Another visit to the dentist resulted in the discovery of an infection and the extraction of three more teeth. Villa ignored the dentist's instructions to rest and return for a follow-up visit, and instead indulged in a week-long party. The infection worsened, and by the time Villa's trainer, Whitey Ekwert, discovered the fighter's distress and rushed him to the hospital, it was too late. Villa died in the hospital of Ludwig's Angina, an infection of the throat cavity.

The Ceferino Garcia Story

Ceferino Garcia, the boxer, was the eldest child of Fortunato (Porto) Garcia and Pascuala Pieras. The couple bore six children, but only five grew up to adulthood. The second child was Francisco, the third was Leona, and the fourth was Rufina. Man Ambing was the fifth and deemed the youngest, a younger sister having died in childhood. He is six years younger than the champion boxer.

Ceferino was baptized Cipriano and nicknamed Predo. He typified the poor, less schooled, and rural-bred Filipino who aspired for wealth and fame through the boxing arena.

Predo did not complete his Grade I studies in Barrio Caraycaray, Naval, where he was born and grew up to adolescence. This literacy deficiency would later disqualify him from enlisting in the US Navy, the other avenue for peasant escape from poverty in the 1930s. He seemed to have been drawn early to gambling, hantak (head-or-tail betting game, using three old one-centavo coins) being his mania. He was also good in the pool table.

And in street boxing matches. By age 15, when Predo left home for good, he was so feared that nobody would pick a fistfight with him in the neighborhood or in the poblacion.

But Predo was a good blacksmith, the obvious favorite among the three sons of Porto. It did not take long to finish a bolo from his powerful blows with the sledge hammer. Man Ambing idolized his brother for this.

I asked Man Ambing about extant pictures of his brother. He had none. Instead, he ran inside the house from where he got and then showed me his picture as a young man. He told me he had similar facial features with Predo, who was tall, lean but husky, and with thin wrists. The photograph had the typical Garcia features, memorialized in a sketch of his great grand-uncle, the priest who established Naval as a town in the 1860s.



To Boxing Fame

Predo left home with a heavy heart. The cause was believed to be his spurned love proposal to the local girl of his fancy, who supposedly dismissed him for his gambler’s ways.

He joined the master baker of the local bakery on a trip to Cebu City, where he was introduced to some boxing promoter and started his professional boxing career. He had not returned home since he left, for which he was sorely missed by many of his contemporaries.

Man Ambing recalled that his brother, having assumed the boxing name Ceferino, became a prominent boxer around 1936 or 1937, first in Cebu and then in Manila. He became famous for the dreaded "bolo punch," of which he was the recognized inventor.

In 1938, Ceferino traveled to the United States to take a crack at the world middleweight crown. He succeeded in his quest. During the same year, he provided the country’s boxing spectacle of the 1930s when he successfully defended his title by beating the (white) American challenger, Glen Lee, at the Rizal Track-Football Stadium. He was assisted in this match by the famous Jack Dempsey.

Afterwards, he returned to the US, where he probably lost his crown, and did not come back to the Philippines.

The "bolo punch" presumably assured Garcia’s place in the Boxing Hall of Fame. Two other Filipino boxers had been inducted to this august Hall: Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde. Primo Hotricano told me that Garcia’s boxing feats were once featured in an article, perhaps in the Philippines Free Press.

congrats on the 1000th post!!! i've seen Pancho Villa on film KTFO Johnny Buff, he looks impressive, and fast

congrats on the 1000th post!!! i've seen Pancho Villa on film KTFO Johnny Buff, he looks impressive, and fast

thanks bro. Yup he was the first Asian boxing great,...

Congratulations on 1000

and Big Ups to all the Pinoy fighters. I know the Mexicans and Filipinos(spelling) have had there differences before, but I am gald to see we have moved on from that and can have boxing conversations like normal human beings.

Congratulations on 1000

and Big Ups to all the Pinoy fighters. I know the Mexicans and Filipinos(spelling) have had there differences before, but I am gald to see we have moved on from that and have boxing conversations like normal human beings.

thanks man. That's what's nice about this site. The posters are civilized and have matured a lot :cool: VIVA MEXICAN Fighters and MABUHAY ANG MGA PINOY !

thanks man. That's what's nice about this site. The posters are civilized and have matured a lot :cool: VIVA MEXICAN Fighters and MABUHAY ANG MGA PINOY !

thumbs up to you Thrilla, keep on posting significant threads like this, buddy...

i just have to add that i consider should be up among the best Filipino fighters...

Gerry Penalosa has an older brother, a polio victim, even with the handicap who became 2-time world champion and one time undisputed champ, Dodie Boy Penalosa ...

thumbs up to you Thrilla, keep on posting significant threads like this, buddy...

i just have to add that i consider should be up among the best Filipino fighters...

Gerry Penalosa has an older brother, a polio victim, even with the handicap who became 2-time world champion and one time undisputed champ, Dodie Boy Penalosa ...


Yeah I agree with you on that. Was thinking also about Rolando Navarette. Whatdyathink?

Congratulations on 1000

and Big Ups to all the Pinoy fighters. I know the Mexicans and Filipinos(spelling) have had there differences before, but I am gald to see we have moved on from that and can have boxing conversations like normal human beings.

this is the way it should be, with a little trash talking once in a while, a little bit before and after a fight, he he he...

peace bro...

Congrats for finally breaching #1,000 buddy and kudos for the tribute on great Pinoy fighters.

Excellent thread.

Congrats for finally breaching #1,000 buddy and kudos for the tribute on great Pinoy fighters.

Excellent thread.


thanks man. appreciate it. just wanted to show that
the Philippines has a rich tradition of good fighters
other than Pac, and that our world doesn't revolve solely
on Manny. :cool:

thanks man. appreciate it. just wanted to show that
the Philippines has a rich tradition of good fighters
other than Pac, and that our world doesn't revolve solely
on Manny. :cool:

I hear that Gerry's targetting Rafa, high-reward but very high-risk fight IMO. I hope he trains his sights on his ex-victim instead, the current WBO bantamweight champ or the aging WBC bantamweight champ. If he does decide to fight either one of these Thai champs, i'll bet all my points in the bank :D ...Gerry Penalosa will become a world champion once more next year.

I hear that Gerry's targetting Rafa, high-reward but very high-risk fight IMO. I hope he trains his sights on his ex-victim instead, the current WBO bantamweight champ or the aging WBC bantamweight champ. If he does decide to fight either one of these Thai champs, i'll bet all my points in the bank :D ...Gerry Penalosa will become a world champion once more next year.


Yes you're right. I believe the reason he's targetting Rafa is
he wants the bigtime recognition and money right away. And I'm thinking he feels he's not getting any younger so now would be the best time to take the shot.

I do think he needs to fight a safer opponent for now. I saw rafa's last fight and he is in top condition.

Thanks buddy ! Yup, Garcia's induction has been long delayed.
last time the Ring Magazine editor was here this year (his name escapes me right now), he confirmed that Garcia most probably be inducted soon ';)Nigel Collins? He says Garcia shall be enshrined soon? Great! Better late than never! ;)

And buddy, great gallery there! Navarrete, Adigue, Villaflor, Bohol, Dodie Boy (first ever to hold the IBF flyweight title), Lucas... are some of the other names that crop up in my head while looking at those pictures. There was also a junior welter lefty in or close to Elorde's generation who ruled for a while, but I can't recall his name. And there was an Amerisian (son of an American soldier assigned in one of the military bases there with a Filipina)who won one of the alphabet welterweight crowns about the time when Luisito was champ of one of the two divisions he has on his resume'. Another is a Filipino based in Hawaii (as Villaflor was and, for a time, Navarrete too) who held one of the alphabet Jr. Feather belts. :)

Congratulations again, buddy! :D

Nigel Collins? He says Garcia shall be enshrined soon? Great! Better late than never! ;)

And buddy, great gallery there! Navarrete, Adigue, Villaflor, Bohol, Dodie Boy (first ever to hold the IBF flyweight title), Lucas... are some of the other names that crop up in my head while looking at those pictures. There was also a junior welter lefty in or close to Elorde's generation who ruled for a while, but I can't recall his name. And there was an Amerisian (son of an American soldier assigned in one of the military bases there with a Filipina)who won one of the alphabet welterweight crowns about the time when Luisito was champ of one of the two divisions he has on his resume'. Another is a Filipino based in Hawaii (as Villaflor was and, for a time, Navarrete too) who held one of the alphabet Jr. Feather belts. :)

Congratulations again, buddy! :D

Yup Nigel Collins it is ! How come you know so much about Filipino boxing ?? You must be heavily involved in the sport ?

Congratulations on 1000

and Big Ups to all the Pinoy fighters. I know the Mexicans and Filipinos(spelling) have had there differences before, but I am gald to see we have moved on from that and can have boxing conversations like normal human beings.The amity between Mexicans and Filipinos, as nations, go all the way back to the Galleon Trades, when huge ships traversed the oceans between Manila and Acapulco! That was at the time when both were Spain's colonies.

Both countries have embassies in each other's capital, uninterrupted, since they became independent.

Now, however, some of their boys are trading punches atop the ring in addition to trading goods! ;) But all in the name of sport! Healthy rivalry, and, I think, it shall stay that way! ;) :D

Yup Nigel Collins it is ! How come you know so much about Filipino boxing ?? You must be heavily involved in the sport ?Nah, pal, I know only as much as an average fan does. Well, ok. I love boxing and I love the Philippines (for over a decade now) so I guess those two passions, put together, got me to know more than the usual about Filipino pugs. IF I do know (???) more than usual...LOL!!!

I do have friends though who are deep into the sport. Asians, North Americans, South Americans and a handful of Europeans. I was introduced to them by friends who, like me are boxing-batty. ;)

I hear that Gerry's targetting Rafa, high-reward but very high-risk fight IMO. I hope he trains his sights on his ex-victim instead, the current WBO bantamweight champ or the aging WBC bantamweight champ. If he does decide to fight either one of these Thai champs, i'll bet all my points in the bank :D ...Gerry Penalosa will become a world champion once more next year.I'm tipping my hat, pal! :)

Nah, pal, I know only as much as an average fan does. Well, ok. I love boxing and I love the Philippines (for over a decade now) so I guess those two passions, put together, got me to know more than the usual about Filipino pugs. IF I do know (???) more than usual...LOL!!!

I do have friends though who are deep into the sport. Asians, North Americans, South Americans and a handful of Europeans. I was introduced to them by friends who, like me are boxing-batty. ;)


well, you're as good and informed a boxing fan if I ever saw one :cool:

well, you're as good and informed a boxing fan if I ever saw one :cool:Coming from you, THAT's SOMETHING!!! Thanks, pal! :)

I guess it's just that when friends get together we kick around boxing trivia and stuff over drinks; much in the manner of baseball buffs... ;)

Coming from you, THAT's SOMETHING!!! Thanks, pal! :)

I guess it's just that when friends get together we kick around boxing trivia and stuff over drinks; much in the manner of baseball buffs... ;)

buddy, i am interested to share to the other guys about dodie boy penalosa, gerry penalosa's older brother, i personally think that gerry fell short of dodie boy's accomplishement, but this is only what i remember during my youth...

any comment from you on this my friend will be appreciated.. :)

buddy, i am interested to share to the other guys about dodie boy penalosa, gerry penalosa's older brother, i personally think that gerry fell short of dodie boy's accomplishement, but this is only what i remember during my youth...

any comment from you on this my friend will be appreciated.. :)Thanks for the trust, pal!

Doddie may well be the biggest over-achiever in the history of Philippine boxing-- he limped his way to stardom!

A victim of polio soon after birth (making one leg inches shorter than the other), he got into boxing early, his father having been a national belt holder and his uncle as well-- referred to as the Penalosa brothers (the first set, as it later turned out). Carl, as I can recall, was the older and a Jr. Welter while Ric was a Jr. Light; don't know which is Dodie's pa.

Anyway, somewhere around the age of 12 Dodie started getting into amateur contests. That got people sneering: what was a polio victim doing in the ring?! But the sneering stopped when he kept on winning. From their home in Negros island, they went to Cebu, the whole kith and caboodle-- Jonathan and Gerry in tow. That was not a tough move, though, because both Carl and Ric were Cebu-based when they were campaigning.

It was right around the time that they made the move to Cebu that certain promoters formed the IBF. The brothers (Dodie, Jerry and Jonathan) got their attention. IBF held eliminations for its version of the Jr. Fly title. After a series of eliminators featuring Japanese, Thai and Korean fighters, Dodie emerged champ, TKOing (5) Satoshi Shingaki in Osaka, in a bout that was not sanctioned by the Japanese Boxing Commission which was still enclined to support the WBC and the WBA.

He defended the title against Joe Hong Kim in Seoul (TKO9), Jum Huan Choi in Manila (UD15), compatriot Amado Ursua (UD10) and Yani Docukimo in Jakarta (KO3).

He vacated the title in October 1986; to begin his campaign in the fly division against Soon Jung Kang (UD10).

He quickly went up against Hilario Zapata for the WBA Fly belt but lost on decision in 15 rounds.

He picked up the pieces in a fight against Young Il-Choi whom he KOd in the 5th.

A mere 4 months later, and less than 10 months after the loss to Zapata, he sought out the IBF Fly belt and trashed Hi-Sup Chin in 5.

He lost his second title 6 months later, on his first defense, to Chung Ho Choi as he was KOd in the 11th as Filipino fans watched sadly in a fight staged at the famed Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City (site of the Thrillah in Manila).

Five fights later, he tried again for a world corwn. He met then IBF Fly titlist Dave McAuley in London but lost a Split Decision.

Doddie fought 16 more times before retiring; he lost only to the likes of Filipino compatriot Rolando Bohol, Rolando Pascua,(how many Filipino world champs are named Rolando?! :eek: ;) ) Manny Melchor---fighters who went on to reign as world champs in their own right.

Dodie finished with a record of 31-7-2 (13KOs)
*****
For trivia buffs:

Jonathan, the brother (younger than Doddie but older than Gerry)who also went into boxing, fought between 1985 and 1993 and ended his career with a record of 15-4-1.

Gerry's record stands at 48 (33)-5-2

A cousin, Henry who was a Superfeatherweight, followed the Penalosa brothers into the ring but never won a fight. He finished with a 0-8-0 record. :o

thanks for that info on dodie boy, buddy, I remember cheering for the guy when I was a lot younger, i really thought that he unified at least two belts, but maybe i was just awe struck as a kid and was not able to follow much on Gerry's career, now i see the reason why every time there is a list made for greatest Filipino Champions, Gerry's name usually comes first before dodie's...


another trivia...
Rolando Bohol avenge dodie boy's loss to Chung Ho Choi returning back to the Philippines the championship belt...

The Legend of Pancho Villa
- From the International Boxing Hall of Fame Annals

Born: Aug. 1, 1901
Died: July 14, 1925
Total Bouts: 105
Won: 73
Lost: 5
Drew: 4
KOs: 22
No Decisions: 23
Induction: 1994


Pancho Villa is considered by many to be the greatest Asian fighter in boxing history. Just over five feet tall, Villa was explosive and unrelenting in the ring. He had fought 105 times, sometimes with as little as a week between bouts, by the time of his death at age 24. Born Francisco Guilledo on the island of Panay in the Philippines, Villa often fought with other boys in his village. His reputation with his fists brought him to the attention of promoter Frank Churchill in Manila. Impressed with the then-80-pound fighter, Churchill began handling Villa and, reportedly, named him after the famous Mexican bandit.
Villa fought exclusively in the Philippines from 1919 through April 1922, often facing much larger men. In that time, he lost only three fights and captured two Filipino titles. In 1922, Churchill took Villa to the United States. The young Filipino fought two no-decision bouts in New Jersey, losing-according to the newspapers-to Abe Goldstein and Frankie Genaro. The America press and public were at first slow to take notice of Villa. Churchill had difficulty arranging fights in major venues until, for almost no money, he got Villa and another Filipino, Elino Flores, on a card at Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Each fighter won his bout, and the crowd gave Villa a standing ovation.

Three months after his arrival in the U.S., Villa knocked out Johnny Buff in eleven rounds to win the American flyweight title. Genaro took the title back in 1923 in a 15-round decision that most observers believed belonged to Villa. Meanwhile, British flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde had come to New York seeking the world title. Although Genaro was a likely opponent, the now wildly popular Villa was considered a better draw. In the match at New York's Polo Grounds, Villa displayed his relentless, attacking style, peppering Wilde with punches from both hands. In the seventh round, Villa battered Wilde to a state of helplessness, ending the fight and Wilde's career.

Although a proposed rematch with Genaro never took place, Villa defended his title several times in the U.S. and the Philippines. Villa fought in a non-title bout with Jimmy McLarnin on July 4, 1925 in Oakland. Weak from the recent extraction of a wisdom tooth, Villa lost the decision. It was to be his last fight. Another visit to the dentist resulted in the discovery of an infection and the extraction of three more teeth. Villa ignored the dentist's instructions to rest and return for a follow-up visit, and instead indulged in a week-long party. The infection worsened, and by the time Villa's trainer, Whitey Ekwert, discovered the fighter's distress and rushed him to the hospital, it was too late. Villa died in the hospital of Ludwig's Angina, an infection of the throat cavity.


ey kb this is for you to know more about the Great Pancho Villa of Philippine boxing...

Better late than never Bro Trilla! :D

Keep PUNCHING!!!

thanks for that info on dodie boy, buddy, I remember cheering for the guy when I was a lot younger, i really thought that he unified at least two belts, but maybe i was just awe struck as a kid and was not able to follow much on Gerry's career, now i see the reason why every time there is a list made for greatest Filipino Champions, Gerry's name usually comes first before dodie's...


another trivia...
Rolando Bohol avenge dodie boy's loss to Chung Ho Choi returning back to the Philippines the championship belt...Well, buddy, you're not the only one! I, myself, favor putting Doddie higher, at least, than Gerry in Filipino champs' rankings; not because he had better opposition (he didn't), not because he had more defenses (he didn't)...not because of the usual reasons. It's because, everytime Dodie went up the ring, he carried that handicap and had to fight with and beyond it!

I have seen several threads on this site that spoke of HEART. Now, THAT's HEART! Also, he was among the least averse among Filipino champs (and loads of non-Filipino champs) to defend his title in the hometowns of his foes! Now, THAT's an even bigger HEART! :)

And for those who have never seen Penalosa The Elder in action, you may be pleased to learn that everytime I saw him fight (and I've seen quite a few either "live" or on tape), he made me forget the handicap. He was that good!

As for Dodie's power, it is said that power comes from the feet, through the legs, the torso, the arm and unto the fist. Trainers through the ages emphasize that to their wards. Imagine what kind of power would Dodie have had, had he been able to plant his feet better for the wallop! :D

Re: Trivia on Bohol, yes! :D

Thrilla Congrats!!

Sorry to dissappoint you about the JMM forums, wala nang kalaban dun, pinatalsik na namin. LOL

Well, buddy, you're not the only one! I, myself, favor putting Doddie higher, at least, than Gerry in Filipino champs' rankings; not because he had better opposition (he didn't), not because he had more defenses (he didn't)...not because of the usual reasons. It's because, everytime Dodie goes up the ring, he carries that handicap and has to fight with and beyond it!

I have seen several threads on this site that spoke of HEART. Now, THAT's HEART! Also, he was among the least averse among Filipino champs (and non-Filipino champs) to defend his title in the hometowns of his foes! Now, THAT's an even bigger HEART! :)

And for those who have never seen Penalosa The Elder in action, you may be pleased to learn that everytime I saw him fight (and I've seen quite a few either "live" or on tape), he made me forget the handicap. He was that good!

As for Dodie's power, it is said that power comes from the feet, through the legs, the torso, the arm and unto the fist. Trainers through the ages emphasize that to their wards. Imagine what kind of power would Dodie have had, had he been able to plant his feet better for the wallop! :D

Re: Trivia on Bohol, yes! :D

another brilliant post from the boxing guru...

btw: congratulations to hhrilla on his 1,000th post...keep those fingers rolling... :)

Thrilla Congrats!!

Sorry to dissappoint you about the JMM forums, wala nang kalaban dun, pinatalsik na namin. LOL

madalang na pati ang posters doon...kaya pala naandito ka na chups...wala na palang action doon... :eek:

Action is in the Barrera site, gagong Bal21 yan, racist talaga :mad: Nanduon ngayon yung mga katipuneros.

Pero dito ako tumatambay pag gusto kong magpahinga. :D

another brilliant post from the boxing guru...
That's pretty extravant, pal! "guru"! Wow! :eek: !!!LOL!!!

Thanks just the same!!! :D

Hey, buddies, need to have an early start tomorrow; got to turn in! Later, fellas! ;)

Thrilla Congrats!!

Sorry to dissappoint you about the JMM forums, wala nang kalaban dun, pinatalsik na namin. LOL


thanks ! oo nga e. its like I'm in Pac's site there :D

another brilliant post from the boxing guru...

btw: congratulations to hhrilla on his 1,000th post...keep those fingers rolling... :)

thanks bro ..... :D

Well, buddy, you're not the only one! I, myself, favor putting Doddie higher, at least, than Gerry in Filipino champs' rankings; not because he had better opposition (he didn't), not because he had more defenses (he didn't)...not because of the usual reasons. It's because, everytime Dodie went up the ring, he carried that handicap and had to fight with and beyond it!

I have seen several threads on this site that spoke of HEART. Now, THAT's HEART! Also, he was among the least averse among Filipino champs (and loads of non-Filipino champs) to defend his title in the hometowns of his foes! Now, THAT's an even bigger HEART! :)

And for those who have never seen Penalosa The Elder in action, you may be pleased to learn that everytime I saw him fight (and I've seen quite a few either "live" or on tape), he made me forget the handicap. He was that good!

As for Dodie's power, it is said that power comes from the feet, through the legs, the torso, the arm and unto the fist. Trainers through the ages emphasize that to their wards. Imagine what kind of power would Dodie have had, had he been able to plant his feet better for the wallop! :D

Re: Trivia on Bohol, yes! :D

i do believe that dodie boy's upperbody strength is unquestionable and we can only imagine how powerful his punches could have been without the handicap... :)

i do believe that dodie boy's upperbody strength is unquestionable and we can only imagine how powerful his punches could have been without the handicap... :)


I agree, and Dodie also captured the nation's imagination during his heydey, bringing hope to the people the same way Pac is doing right now..He belongs to the illustrious group of Filipino champs :cool:

Hey, THRILLA...,ol' pal; just noticed...in those pix of Filipino champs you got, there are three southpaws and three orthodox! The four are obvious with their preferred stances (and Pac as everyone knows is a lefty), but Garcia, who is rowing, was an orthodox fighter!

Just thought I should point it out... ;) :D

Thrilla congrats on the 1,000th post !! you rock dude :cool:

Thrilla congrats on the 1,000th post !! you rock dude :cool:

Salamat pare !

Hey, THRILLA...,ol' pal; just noticed...in those pix of Filipino champs you got, there are three southpaws and three orthodox! The four are obvious with their preferred stances (and Pac as everyone knows is a lefty), but Garcia, who is rowing, was an orthodox fighter!

Just thought I should point it out... ;) :D


Very insightful observation ! Seems we have a lot of high-caliber lefties in the Phils. :cool:

Hey, THRILLA...,ol' pal; just noticed...in those pix of Filipino champs you got, there are three southpaws and three orthodox! The four are obvious with their preferred stances (and Pac as everyone knows is a lefty), but Garcia, who is rowing, was an orthodox fighter!

Just thought I should point it out... ;) :D

yap, me too i just point it out too... :p

yap, me too i just point it out too... :pYou did? Didn't see it! Couldn't find it! Where is it?

Hope not blown away by typhoon winds! ;)

I see that you're past the 1,000th post mark pal :) WTG Thrilla! Better late than never. :D

Thanks for the info on great Filipino fighters...that goes the same to you too Grayfist.

I see that you're past the 1,000th post mark pal :) WTG Thrilla! Better late than never. :D

Thanks for the info on great Filipino fighters...that goes the same to you too Grayfist.Thanks pal :)

Very insightful observation ! Seems we have a lot of high-caliber lefties in the Phils. :cool:Thanks! You do, indeed! Here are a few more lefties:

Rolando Navarrete- won the WBC Jr. Light title from Cornelio Boza-Edwards

Rolando Bohol- avenged Dodie's loss (as Joma mentioned in an earlier post) to Chang Ho Choi but subsequenlty lost it to Duke McKenzie

Rolando Pascua (what's with the name Rolando, lefties and Filipino World champs, anyway?! ;) )- took the WBC jr. fly title from Humberto Gonzales but lost it to Melchor Cob Castro, who lost it to Gonzalez.

Frank Cedeno- won the WBC Fly title from Charlie Magri at Wembley. He now resides here in the east; Jersey, it was said; last I heard he has his own bake shop.

And, Dodie, too, was a southpaw!

There was a story that went around that Luisito started as a southpaw but was converted by his father, Deo (?), to adopt the orthodox stance.
:)

I see that you're past the 1,000th post mark pal :) WTG Thrilla! Better late than never. :D

Thanks for the info on great Filipino fighters...that goes the same to you too Grayfist.

thanks bro !! :D

thanks bro !! :D

Congrats nga pala bro!

bro meron nga pala ako nabasa isang thread sa pacland tungkol sa pinoy boxing history kung makukuha mo sana yon marami din info doon...

bro meron nga pala ako nabasa isang thread sa pacland tungkol sa pinoy boxing history kung makukuha mo sana yon marami din info doon...


online ka na naman ? buti ka pa maraming time !
ok if I have time I'll look it up. but pls feel free to add some info here if you happen to read some threads ther :)

online ka na naman ? buti ka pa maraming time !
ok if I have time I'll look it up. but pls feel free to add some info here if you happen to read some threads ther :)

OK i'll try to post here the thread of 'Jawo' and some valuable info as well from 'p_montero' and 'boholano', these 3 are Pacland's gurus of Phil. boxing. Labintador's collection of Pinoy boxers' info is awesome as well.

JIMMY McLARNIN, the last man whom PANCHO VILLA faced before he died, passed on only October of last year.

If it is true that one can gauge the greatness of a fighter by looking at the opposition he faced, then, let's go and meet JIMMY McLARNIN.

Born in Hillborough, County Down, Northern Island, his family emigrated to Canada when Jimmy was only 3 and settled in Vancouver. He took up boxing at the age of ten, after life-time manager and trainer, Carles "Pop" Foster, spotted him in a fistfight that had resulted from arguing over newspapers. Jimmy peddled newspapers on the streets. Foster built a make-shift gym just for Jimmy.

Some time later, Foster and Jimmy went to San Francisco where his youthful looks made it tough for him to get fights; he earned instead the moniker, "Baby Face".

He had power in both hands--his right was particularly feared. In later years (in or around 1930), after having broken his hands several times, he shifted from slugging to boxing. But on the night that he met Villa in 1923 at the Polo Grounds in NY, he brought that power. Villa brought a swollen jaw (from tooth extraction just hours before going up the ring). That fight ended in a UD for McLarnin.

McLarnin lost his first title shot (the Villa fight was non-title) on May 21,1928 also in NY to the reigning lightweight champion, Sammy Mandel, whom he would subsequently beat two times.

It would take 5 years before McLarnin again was given a title bid. He faced welterweight champ Young Corbett III and took Corbett out in only 2 minutes 37 seconds! Short night! :eek:

He had three epic battles vs. the great jewish idol, Barney Ross: he won one (the 2nd) and lost two. All three were world welterweight title fights. Jimmy, till the end of his days, never accepted that he lost the third fight to Ross.

McLarnin retired in November 1936, still pretty much at the top of his game: he won his last two fights against fighters who eventually went to Canastota, namely, Tony Canzonerri and Lou Ambers! His record when he hanged his mitts for good: 62W, 11L, 3D and 1 NC.

After boxing, McLarnin lived a life of comfort--some even say, "wealth". He had invested his money well. He owned a fairly sized electrical store, went into acting and lectured at the sides.

In 1996, THE RING (Magazine) named McLarnin the 5th greatest welterweight of all-time. :) That's a lot if you're stacked up against the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson, Barney Ross, Harry Greb...Awesome fella, that Jimmy! :D

OK i'll try to post here the thread of 'Jawo' and some valuable info as well from 'p_montero' and 'boholano', these 3 are Pacland's gurus of Phil. boxing. Labintador's collection of Pinoy boxers' info is awesome as well.

waiting for that post muay...

JIMMY McLARNIN, the last man whom PANCHO VILLA faced before he died, passed on only October of last year.

If it is true that one can gauge the greatness of a fighter by looking at the opposition he faced, then, let's go and meet JIMMY McLARNIN.

Born in Hillborough, County Down, Northern Island, his family emigrated to Canada when Jimmy was only 3 and settled in Vancouver. He took up boxing at the age of ten, after life-time manager and trainer, Carles "Pop" Foster, spotted him in a fistfight that had resulted from arguing over newspapers. Jimmy peddled newspapers on the streets. Foster built a make-shift gym just for Jimmy.

Some time later, Foster and Jimmy went to San Francisco where his youthful looks made it tough for him to get fights; he earned instead the moniker, "Baby Face".

He had power in both hands--his right was particularly feared. In later years (in or around 1930), after having broken his hands several times, he shifted from slugging to boxing. But on the night that he met Villa in 1923 at the Polo Grounds in NY, he brought that power. Villa brought a swollen jaw (from tooth extraction just hours before going up the ring). That fight ended in a UD for McLarnin.

McLarnin lost his first title shot (the Villa fight was non-title) on May 21,1928 also in NY to the reigning lightweight champion, Sammy Mandel, whom he would subsequently beat two times.

It would take 5 years before McLarnin again was given a title bid. He faced welterweight champ Young Corbett III and took Corbett out in only 2 minutes 37 seconds! Short night! :eek:

He had three epic battles vs. the great jewish idol, Barney Ross: he won one (the 2nd) and lost two. All three were world welterweight title fights. Jimmy, till the end of his days, never accepted that he lost the third fight to Ross.

McLarnin retired in November 1936, still pretty much at the top of his game: he won his last two fights against fighters who eventually went to Canastota, namely, Tony Canzonerri and Lou Ambers! His record when he hanged his mitts for good: 62W, 11L, 3D and 1 NC.

After boxing, McLarnin lived a life of comfort--some even say, "wealth". He had invested his money well. He owned a fairly sized electrical store, went into acting and lectured at the sides.

In 1996, THE RING (Magazine) named McLarnin the 5th greatest welterweight of all-time. :) That's a lot if your stacked up against the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson, Barney Ross, Harry Greb...Awesome fella, that Jimmy! :D

another good job grayfist...keep it coming :)

another good job grayfist...keep it coming :)Thanks pal! :)

DITTO ..... Keep it coming buddy.. you are an asset to the site :)

DITTO ..... Keep it coming buddy.. you are an asset to the site :)THANKS TO YOU, too, Pal! :)