Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Apr 2025
San Francisco Civic Auditorium – June 17, 1940
The air inside the auditorium was thick with tobacco smoke, anticipation, and something special. Filipino farmers, laborers, sailors, and immigrants leaned forward in their seats. Their eyes weren’t just on the ring.
They were locked in history. A Filipino would still be champion in the Bay that night. Two Filipinos. One world title. That much was certain.
Little Pancho in one corner. Across from him, Little Dado, the reigning World Flyweight Champion. This fifth fight of theirs was for the California version of the world crown. Pancho had already beaten Dado three times before.
The bell rang. Pancho came forward first, sharp and aggressive. His jabs snapped Dado’s head back. But Dado wasn’t easy to hit. He moved well, countered fast, threw bolo punches to keep Pancho guessing.
The crowd roared throughout the fight, and then booed the decision in the end. At ringside, Harry B. Smith of the SF Call-Bulletin scored it for Dado. The Examiner’s Eddie Muller gave it to Pancho. Referee Jack Downey called it a draw. As the last bell rang, they were still throwing punches.
Pancho wouldn’t take home the belt. Before that night, they called him the next Pancho Villa. A name like that? It wasn’t just given. It was a weight to carry.
Source: The Knockout, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1932.
His mother, Maria Villaruel Tingson, gave him gloves before she passed. His father Matio nearby. Not just any gloves. Pancho Villa’s. The same ones Villa wore when he won the world title against Jimmy Wilde.
M.H. Goldner put it best.
“Boxing gloves were wished on him. He had no choice. It was the parting request of a mother lying on her final sickbed that molded the career of Little Pancho.”
As she lay dying, she called her son over and placed the gloves in his hands.
“Go and take the title your brother could not defend,” so the story goes.
Not for revenge nor redemption, but to make his way in the world.
Source: THE KNOCKOUT, Vol. 5, SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1932
Onward and Upward
He left for Honolulu in 1932. His first U.S. fight was against Midget Wolgast, the reigning flyweight king. The judges gave it to Wolgast. The crowd protested. They fought again. This time? A draw.
Pancho kept moving. Honolulu. Los Angeles. San Francisco. Taking on the best.
February 21, 1934. Frankie Genaro. The same man who had beaten Pancho Villa twice. That night, Little Pancho did what his brother never could. He made Genaro quit. In the seventh round, Genaro couldn’t continue.
It was proof. He wasn’t in anyone’s shadow. He was his own fighter.
He won the American Flyweight Title, the same belt his brother once held. He fought for the CSAC Bantamweight Championship. He built a reputation as a fighter you couldn’t count out.
But fate had other plans.
• Pvt. Eulogio Villaruel Tingson
• Filipino. Boxer. Soldier. Warrior.
• United States Army
• Born January 17, 1912
• Died May 31, 1969 (age 57)
Little Pancho’s fight didn’t end in the ring. World War II came. He answered the call. Private, United States Army. No prize. No belt. Just survival. Just duty.
Eulogio Villaruel Tingson a boxer, a soldier, a fighter in every way. His name faded from the headlines. But for those who know, Little Pancho will never be forgotten. Because in the end, he wasn’t just fighting for himself.
He was fighting for us.
Fight Record and Career Highlights
• Career span: 1927-1942
• Total fights: 149
• Wins: 104
• Losses: 18
• Draws: 26
• Recorded 5-3-3 (1 KO) against former or current world titlists.
• Record outside the Philippines: 51-11-14-1 (13 KOs)
• Win: Frankie Genaro, Little Dado (three times), Star Frisco, Pablo Dano, Joe Tei Ken, Jackie Jericho and Small Montana.
• Loss: Midget Wolgast, Lou Salica, David Kui Kong Young, and Manuel Ortiz.
• Draws: Midget Wolgast and Little Dado (twice).
Sources, Recommended Readings and Acknowledgements:
• Top Photo of Little Pancho: The Knockout, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1932
• Little Pancho Carrying On, by M.H. Goldner (The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) • Tue, Jan 31, 1933, Page 26)
• Little Pancho Boxing Record: https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/47985
• Little Pancho Boxing Record: https://boxerlist.com/boxer/little-pancho/39624
• Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3759059/eulogio-v-tingson
• All photos and references in this article are properly attributed and comply with the U.S. Fair Use Doctrine
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 09 May 2026