Top 7 Greatest Filipino Boxers of All Time
Boxing was introduced to the Philippines during the last years of the nineteenth century and at the beginning of the twentieth century. In particular political and social circumstances, it was introduced as a means to prevent soldiers and sailors from addictions like alcohol and tobacco.
Still, it shortly became one of the most popular sports in this part of Asia. Today, the Philippines has the biggest number of Boxing Hall fame members coming from Asia, including Francisco Villaruel Guilledo, aka Pancho Villa.
Today we present to you some of the most legendary Filipino boxers and their accomplishments.
The Popularity of Boxing in the Philippines
Boxing is the most popular sport in the Philippines. Being deeply ingrained in the local culture, many Filipinos perceive boxing as a normal part of everyday life: they attend matches, watch TV shows related to boxing, play boxing-themed games, and often bet on winners of the matches.
Sports betting online in the Philippines has become very popular in the last decade, offering a plethora of options in sports like boxing and basketball. If you are interested in testing your luck in betting but don’t know where to start, you can check these trusted platforms and select boxing sites that match your needs.
There are a lot of high-stakes matchups you may choose from, which makes it interesting but safe.
Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao
The most famous Filipino boxer, without a doubt, is Manny Pacquiao, also known as PacMan (born in 1978). Pacquiao’s incredible achievements in boxing history make him an inspiration to many: he is the only boxer ever to hold world champion titles across four decades (’90s to 2020s), and the only eight-division world champion, having won twelve major world titles.
He officially retired from boxing to focus on his political career, but he also entered the world of acting, music, preaching, and entrepreneurship.
Nonito “Flash” Donaire
We shouldn’t forget to mention Nonito Donaire, or the Filipino Flash (born in 1982). He is the holder of nine world titles and a champion in four weight classes – from flyweight to featherweight. He threatens to overtake Manny Pacquiao’s record in holding world champion titles across four decades – he currently holds them in three decades (from ‘00s to ‘20s), but he still competes.
So far, out of 50 fights, he won 42, of which 28 by knockout.
Gabriel “Flash” Elorde
Right next to PacMan, there is Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (1935 – 1985). He is considered one of the best Filipino boxers of all time as he won all possible competitions and championships during his active years and became the first Asian admitted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and later into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Among several records he holds, one of the most impressive is the longest title reign in the featherweight division – seven years and three months.
Ceferino Garcia
The boxer who owns the record for most wins ever by a boxer coming from the Philippines is Ceferino Garcia, inventor of the “Bolo Punch” (1906 – 1911), popular also as PacMan’s predecessor. He won 120 fights and lost only 30.
His unique approach to fights made him extremely popular and he was admitted into The Ring Magazine’s Hall of Fame (1977) and the World Boxing Hall of Fame (1989).
Francisco Guilledo
Francisco Guilledo, commonly known as Pancho Villa (1901 – 1925), surely belongs in the list of most famous fighters rooted in the Philippines. Despite all chances, weighing not more than 51kg (114 pounds) and with a height of only 151cm (5 feet 1 inch), he became the first sportsman from Asia to win the World Flyweight Championship.
He was never knocked out in his entire career!
Eleuterio “Little Dado” Zapanta
Eleuterio Zapanta, or Little Dado, is another of the athletes who contributed heavily to Philippine boxing history (1916 – 1965). He was a flyweight boxer who claimed both the Bantamweight and World Flyweight titles during the ‘30s and ‘40s.
Last, but not the least, we should mention great athlete Erbito Salavarria (born in 1946), who was the WBC and WBA Flyweight Champion (during the ‘70s) and entered a Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Conclusion
Long boxing tradition and history, combined with the unique fighting styles and natural talents of Filipino boxers, launched the Philippines high on the map of most successful countries when it comes to boxing. These dedicated, disciplined, and trained athletes brought numerous awards and achievements to the country, including a total of 45 major world champion titles.
Today boxing is one of the most-watched sports locally, deeply respected and ingrained in the culture.
