LAURA ELORDE PAYS TRIBUTE TO DONNIE NIETES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Nov 2014
In a gesture considered both magnanimous and gracious Ms. Laura Elorde, the widow of the all-time great Hall-of-Famer Gabriel? "Flash" Elorde paid tribute to WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes who is on the crest of surpassing Elorde's record of reigning as junior lightweight champion for seven years and three months on January 1, 2015 as "a good and decent Filipino champion."
Nietes, with an impressive victory over Mexican challenger Carlos "Chapito" Velarde who failed to come out for the eighth round after suffering a nasty gash on his left eye due to an accidental clash of heads which regrettably was initiated by the challenger, reached a milestone as a two-division world champion (WBO minimum weight and WBO light flyweight) with his victory before a turnaway crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City last Saturday, where he reigned as champion for 7 years 1 month and 15 days.
Nietes will surpass Elorde's record on January 1, 2015.
The statement of Ms. Elorde was read during a welcome ceremony for Nietes, IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara and top rated Milan Melindo who were victorious on the ABS-CBN "Pinoy Pride XXVIII" card with the 20 year old Pagara putting on a masterful display of speed, power and maturity against Mexican veteran Raul Hirales who was dropped for the first time in his career by a rapid-fire combination punctuated by a cracking right in the third round.
During a well-attended welcome by the giant broadcast network represented by Vince Rodriguez, head of ABS-CBN Sports and Action. Nietes, his usual humble self thanked Ms. Elorde and the Elorde family for their kind words and repeated what he had told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports before and that is Elorde was his "hero" whom he looked up to and "drew inspiration from."
Nietes said his goal was not about surpassing the record of Elorde who reigned during an era where title fights were over 15? rounds but merely wanted "to win and remain a champion and bring honor to my country and joy to our countrymen."
In her message Ms. Elorde said,
"When my late husband Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde won the world junior lightweight title at the inauguration of the Araneta Coliseum it was a historic occasion that brought endless joy and pride to our country and people, which is the way ?Bai? wanted it to be.
"He fought not for personal glory but for the glory of the Philippines and during his reign of seven years and three months he fought the best in his weight division.
"Like his dear friend Ronnie Nathanielsz wrote ? he feared no man but was humble before all men.
"That his opponents became his close friends ? from Harold Gomes to Teruo Kosaka, Shigeki Kaneko and Carlos Ortiz ? reflects the recognition they gave him in return for the respect Bai gave the sport and the men he faced in the ring with quiet dignity. Bai Elorde was humble in victory, magnanimous in defeat and displayed these same values and virtues both in and outside the ring.
"Donnie Nietes in many respects is like Elorde ? a simple man from humble beginnings but a true champion who has, by his success, earned the admiration of our people.
"To us ? the members of the Elorde family ? Donnie?s surpassing of Bai?s long-standing record is a tribute to his skill, dedication and hard work.
"We are indeed proud that ?Bai? reigned as a world champion for seven years and three months and are prouder still that a good and decent Filipino champion rose to take his place among the heroes of our time.
Good luck? Donnie Nietes and God bless you."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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