By Ronnie Nathanielsz 

 

Laura Elorde, the widow of the late world junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde is a lady of few words but she told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today she was touched by the choice of her late husband as the Philippines’ No.1 in a list of all-time greats in a TV special over QTV 11 recently.

 

Elorde who was enshrined in the boxing ”Hall of Fame” finished ahead of the first Filipino to become a world champion, flamboyant flyweight Pancho Villa who was the first Asian world champion and the first to be enshrined in the “Hall of Fame.”

 

In the same poll Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao finished sixth.

 

Ms. Elorde said “we appreciate the opinion of many on this (the choice of Elorde) and it has helped us and my children live up to the legacy that their father left them” She added, “when you treat people right and you have this heart for everybody, they will respect you and love you and remember you.”

 

“Flash” Elorde reigned as world junior lightweight champion for almost seven-and-a-half years and was admired by fans and opponents alike for being a gentleman and a kind human being both inside and outside the ring.