A LEGACY ENDURES: ?Bai? Elorde braces for U.S. Debut
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 22 Oct 2010
Para?aque City ? He bears the most revered surname in Philippine boxing history. It can open doors in his chosen profession but also carries the weight of expectations. Juan Martin ?Bai? Elorde is in the final stages of his training for his first overseas stint in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao versus Antonio Margarito fight this November 14 (R.P. Time) in Arlington, Texas.
Philboxing visited the 25 year old unbeaten fighter (11W-0L with 4 KO's) last Thursday afternoon for a Q and A in their family?s spacious gym in Para?aque City.
Does he feel pressure because of their family name?
Elorde: Yes, I feel a lot of pressure when I fight. People expect me to be just as good, or even better than my grandfather. But my parents advised me not to think about it, just be my own person.
Bai is a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the College of St. Benilde. So why take up boxing?
Elorde : I just tried it when I was young and I liked it. I lived in a compound full of boxers. I watched them train and I saw their fights, so I decided to continue training as a boxer.
He started as an amateur at fourteen years old. But he preferred fighting as a pro. He had his professional debut in Cebu, his grandfather?s hometown, last February 24, 2007, beating Joseph Mateo by 4 round unanimous decision in the undercard of Z Gorres vs Fernando Montiel at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
What was it like fighting in Cebu City?
Elorde: There were a lot of people. I was nervous. They know our family name and expected a lot.
?Bai? already had the experience of rising from the canvas to win. He suffered a knockdown in the second round of his fight against Glen Mondol in 2007. This was the first test of his resolve. What went through his mind back then?
Elorde: I was dizzy, I didn?t the punch coming. It was an overhand right I think. There was a lot of pressure before the fight; there were a lot of people there during the WBC convention. They were asking questions about me before the fight. But I told myself I should get up. I fought back, just trying to score enough points to win a decision.
You have seen Pacquaio train. Can you train like that and reach that level of endurance?
Elorde: All you need is concentration and dedication. With the right dedication, anyone can reach that level.
You have seen films of your grandfather. He was a southpaw, had fast hands, didn?t stop punching. Can you fight like that?
Elorde: I write with my right hand but I fight as a southpaw. My grandfather?s style is difficult to copy. But I noticed from fight films that he has a strong right hook, I write with my right so I guess I could work on that.
What are your other future plans outside of boxing?
Elorde: Run the family business. We have our restaurant, the Southpaw Bar and Grill.
What do you do on your spare time?
Elorde: Spend time with my girlfriend, go to the mall and just relax.
?Bai? fought twice this year beating Kan Hamonkol (KO 2) and Sahasawat Khaedon (KO 1). He spent the afternoon with conditioning Coach Dan Rose, who also serves as conditioning coach of the La Salle basketball squad but he works with different muscle groups for strength training when he handles boxers.
Top photo: Juan Martin 'Bai' Elorde poses in front of a photo by his grandfather, the great 'Flash' Elorde at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque Thursday.
Juan Martin 'Bai' Elorde training at the Elorde Gym under condition coach Dan Rose.
He will be in four round bout against the 29 year old Angel Rodriguez (4W-4L-2D, 4 KO?s) of Mexico. They will fight at 133 lbs. Johnny Elorde, his father, expects a very tough opponent. ?But it?s good. This will be a test if my son has what it takes.?
Bai?s mother Liza Elorde is worried. She witnessed her son rise from that knockdown.
?I remember praying and asking Daddy (Flash Elorde) that if he wants Bai to stop boxing, then let him stay down. If he wants him to continue, help him get up.?
The late Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, is widely considered the greatest junior lightweight in boxing history and reigned as world champion from 1960-67. Bai?s brother, Juan Miguel or Mig is also an undefeated prizefighter (8W-0L, 2 KO?s). Another brother, Nico plays basketball for De La Salle.
Team Elorde will be leaving for the U.S. this Saturday. It is befitting that the Flash?s grandson will fight in a card headlined by the man responsible for the resurgence of Philippine boxing.
Other quick facts:
Flash Elorde?s first overseas stint was in 1952, a split decision win in Tokyo over Hiroshi Horiguchi for the OPBF bantamweight title. His first U.S. stint in 1956 was a memorable one; he would lose to Sandy Saddler by 13th round TKO due to a cut despite leading on the judges? scorecards in their World Featherweight contest in San Francisco. Flash Elorde was also referred to as ?Bai?, a Cebuano slang which means friend.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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