I am checking out some fighters who have slipped under my radar for far to long. I am really enjoying watching Flash in action... What can you teach or share with me about him? How was he perceived in his era? Any stories? Any information would be appreciated.
He was the fighter who established the junior lightweight division. It existed for around 30 years before him, and was even held by fighters as well known as Sandy Saddler. But it was basically a novelty division at the time and no one really cared about it. Saddler was champion for many years but only defended the title twice. Elorde was the first real junior lightweight champion, defending it on a regular and frequent basis. The modern junior lightweight division begins with Elorde. Also, probably in the top 5 best Filipino fighters of all time.
He pretty much was the Pinoy boxing icon until Pacquiao. So very much in the way of utter Beatlemania domestically, and his name was known I think in the rest of the world, among boxing people,. inasmuch as someone his size hailing from somewhere besides the US or UK would be apt to be known.
This is it. I guess his reputation suffered a little bit during the era from the two losses to Ortiz up at lightweight but even to this day, he's one of the 5 best junior lightweights ever.
Interestingly, his boxing style is derived from a range of Filipino martial arts. He also incorporated a version of the Fitzsimmons shift.
I’ve read that too, apparently the reason Filipino fighters are southpaws is because there style has it’s roots in knife fighting.