Another honor for D’Flash
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Mar 2024
The late great Gabriel (Flash) Elorde is one of three Filipinos enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York with the first Asian world champion Pancho Villa and impresario Lope (Papa) Sarreal, Sr. the others. But while the recognition is global, another organization called the National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHF) is citing Elorde for his exploits as a world champion for seven years and for regaling audiences in landmark US venues like Madison Square Garden in New York, Cow Palace in San Francisco, San Francisco Gardens, Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, Civic Auditorium in San Jose, Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu International Center (now the Blaisdell Center) and Cleveland Arena.
The NBHF was founded in 2015 “to honor fighters, past and present and to recognize boxing for the unique and intense nature of the sport.” It has so far inducted over 90 outstanding figures, including referees, journalists and promoters, in boxing. The California-based organization is headed by the late referee Dick Young’s son Bill. The enshrinement rites are held every year at the Quiet Cannon Crystal Grand Ballroom in Montebello.
Among those inducted in the inaugural class of 2015 were Miguel Cotto, referee Jack Reiss and promoter Dan Goosen. Others who’ve been honored were Leon and Michael Spinks, Earnie Shavers, Muhammad Ali, Mike Weaver, Sugar Ray Leonard, writer Steve Farhood, referee Frank Garza and promoter Don King. The Wild Card Boxing Gym of Freddie Roach was given recognition in 2016.
This year, the induction will be held on April 28 in the Montebello venue. Aside from Elorde, the Class of 2024 lists Evander Holyfield, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones, Jr., Arturo Gatti, Reggie Johnson, Micky Ward, Winky Wright, Sugar Shane Mosley, Barbara Buttrick, Sumya (The Island Girl) Anani, Manuel (Mantecas) Medina and Hilario Zapata. Barrera fought Manny Pacquiao twice and Mosley faced the Pacman once with the Filipino icon winning all three bouts. Medina lost the WBC featherweight title to Luisito Espinosa in Tokyo in 1995 and failed to regain it in a rematch at Luneta Park in 1997. Zapata outpointed Dodie Boy Penalosa to retain his WBA flyweight crown at the ULTRA in Pasig in 1986.
Elorde’s son Johnny with wife Liza and brother Ramon with wife Geneva will attend the induction. Johnny will deliver an acceptance speech in his father’s behalf.
While Elorde’s exploits are well-chronicled, particularly in repulsing 10 challengers, it’s not widely known how he was introduced to boxing. He was born in Bogo, Cebu and at 10, left for Cebu City to work as a bootblack and pin boy in a bowling alley, earning P35 a month. A big 13-year-old bully tried to muscle in on Elorde’s bootblack street corner and took a beating for his efforts. Elorde eventually became fascinated by the fight game, following the careers of pros Kid Independence and Tanny Campo. At 15, Elorde was prompted by friends to spar with a pro in a gym as a substitute for a fighter who called in sick. Surprisingly, Elorde knocked down the pro and went two furious rounds without a scratch. It wasn’t long after that Elorde thought of boxing as a profession. In 1951, he turned pro as the KRS (Kintanar Radio Shop) Flash and signed a contract with manager Nick Laurel. When Elorde’s star began to shine, Sarreal (later his father-in-law) brought him to Japan where he polished his skills. That led to a celebrated career where D’Flash compiled 118 fights until his retirement in 1971. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 49.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD
Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS
Sat, 04 Apr 2026Rookie Kon Knueppel breaks Charlotte Hornets three points record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 04 Apr 2026IBA extends its global reach through a strategic partnership with Nomad Fighting premiering at IBA Nomad 14
Sat, 04 Apr 2026GM Laylo leads in Bundesliga 3 and in IIEE chess Olympiad season 8
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS TADURAN VS. PEREZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Fri, 03 Apr 2026PLANET ICE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AS BROWN AND DUCAR FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
Fri, 03 Apr 2026Battle of the Trades Returns for Its 3rd Year April 25 at Torrey Pines Community Resource Center in Las Vegas
Fri, 03 Apr 2026Bobby Laing vs. Russ Kimber in intriguing Intra-state match-up between Massachusetts Light Heavyweights on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
Fri, 03 Apr 2026PH chess wizard Jacobb Seda ties for 1st, settles for silver on tiebreaks in Thailand meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 02 Apr 2026