By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The "Grand Old Man" of Philippine boxing, the late Lope "Papa" Sarreal has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Edward Brophy, executive director of the "Boxing Hall of Fame" informed Sarreal’s son, Lope "Jun" Sarreal about the honor bestowed on the famed promoter/matchmaker and manager who died in 1995 at the age of 90.
Sarreal was best remembered for his astute management of the career of the late Gabriel "Flash’ Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for nearly seven and a half years. Elorde, who married Sarreal’s daughter Laura, was also enshrined in the International "Hall of Fame" in Canastota, New York as well as the "Hall of Fame" in Los Angeles. When informed about the honor bestowed on her father who followed in the footsteps of his son, Laura Elorde was overjoyed and expressed her gratitude to the Boxing Hall of Fame officials for the recognition of her father’s achievements. Laura Elorde and her brother Jun Sarreal are expected to attend the induction ceremony in New York.
Brophy said "we are very excited about honoring Lope Sarreal’s many achievements with induction into the Hall of Fame. His accomplishments will be recognized during the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 9-12." Sarreal who died in 1995 will be inducted posthumously during the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame museum grounds in New York on June 12. A plaque with his biography and photo will be on permanent display on the Hall of Fame wall.
An icon in Philippine boxing, "Papa" Sarreal was also instrumental in introducing boxing in China and Indonesia and was also credited with introducing big-time boxing in Korea, Thailand and Japan and opening the Asian market to professional boxing. "Papa" Sarreal produced 22 world champions during his illustrious career. Brophy noted that Sarreal was "most often associated" with his son-in-law "Flash" Elorde whom he referred to as "the great junior lightweight champion." Aside from Elorde other world champions whose careers were guided by Sarreal include flyweight Masao Ohba of Japan, super lightweight Saensak Muangasurin of Thailand and super featherweight Ricardo Arrendondo of Mexico.
The influential and revered Sarreal will be enshrined in the "Hall of Fame" along with living honorees including featherweight and superfeatherweight Bobby Chacon, junior welterweight Duilio Loi, featherweight Barry McGuigan, junior middleweight Terry Norris, matchmaker Don Fraser and writer Bert Randolph Sugar.
