SPORTSCLOPEDIA 54: 100 YEARS AGO TODAY, PANCHO VILLA BECOMES THE FIRST FILIPINO WORLD CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Jun 2023
On June 18, 1923, Pancho Villa became the first world boxing champion in history from the Philippines, knocking out Jimmy Wilde in 7 rounds at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Villa was cheered by more than 20,000 fans shouting "Viva Villa!" In the 7th round, Villa unleashed a thundering right to Wilde's jaw. Villa fought ferociously battering Wilde with hard left and right combinations and dropping the Welshman in the fourth and fifth rounds. After the loss Wilde never stepped on the ring again.
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His wife Gliceria (née Concepcion) who stayed in Manila that time, was asked by the media reporters for reaction said: "You cannot imagine the happiness I felt upon receiving the first notices of the victory of my husband. I cried not because of pain but emotion. I was hoping for his triumph." Former President General Emilio Aguinaldo, aired the sentiment of the whole nation and greeted him: "Congratulations, Pancho, Come back to us and defend your title here."
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A hero's welcome greeted Pancho when he disembarked from the "SS President Grant," the same luxury liner that transported him to the United States on April 2, 1922 to start his boxing campaign in America. A reception at the Malacanan Palace hosted by then President Manuel Quezon followed a grand parade from the airport passing through Manila's major thoroughfares where thousands lined up to greet the returning sports hero.
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June Mar Fajardo said he is healthy and will be joining the trip to Europe, when asked about the possibility of playing in another Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup. He was quoted by the Inquirer that he is expecting to be fully cleared by doctors this week to join all kinds of basketball practices and games on the court.
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The “Kraken" Fajardo hurt his left knee in San Miguel Beermen’s participation in the East Asia Super League’s Champions Week last March. The injury sidelined him during his team's campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup and Gilas’ gold medal winning battle in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
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Fajardo, the PBA’s only six-time MVP, first saw World Cup action in Seville, Spain in 2014 where the Philippines scored an 81-79 overtime victory over Senegal as Fajardo executed a dunk and two important charities in the last minutes. He also joined the Gilas Team in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China where the Philippines lost all its five games.
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