Elorde scion blows debut; two other Pinoys prevail

DALLAS – Juan Martin Elorde, who carries the name of the legendary Filipino fighter from the early sixties, failed in his US debut Saturday when he dropped a unanimous decision against Mexico’s Angel Rodriguez at the Cowboys Stadium.

The 25-year-old Elorde, grandson of former world champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, was beaten to the draw by his shorter opponent. He always reached out and tried to hurt his opponent but his best was not enough to win the fight.

Against the boyish-looking Filipino, who took his first defeat in a dozen pro fights, Rodriguez looked like a neighborhood toughie. He was heavy in the middle, with tattoos on his chest, arms and on his back.

But the 29-year-old, at 5-feet-6 an inch shorter than Elorde, proved to be the better fighter. He moved up to 6-4-2 following the victory in their four-round, super-featherweight contest.

Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and Dr. Ed dela Vega manned the corner of the young Filipino, who had his father, Johnny Elorde, standing nearby, and his mother, Liza, and a younger brother at ringside.

Elorde gave his best and can fly home with his head held high and hope that he’ll do better the next time.

Elorde lost all rounds on two judges, and only won the second on the third judge.

Cushioning Elorde’s loss was the twin victories of Filipino super-lightweight Dennis Laurente and flyweight Richie Mepranum.

Laurente was too much for Rashad Holloway, one of Manny Pacquiao’s favorite sparring partners, en route to a unanimous decision after eight rounds of boxing.

He improved his ring record to 35 wins with three losses and four draws with 17 knockouts.

“Match na laban (We’ve pretty even),” Laurente said days before the fight, even if it turned out that he was far better than his opponent from Los Angeles, who took only his second loss in 16 fights.

Mepranum took the harder route to victory against Anthony Villareal of California, a split decision also after eight rounds of action. The Filipino posted his 17th win against three losses and a draw, and Villareal slipped to 10-4.

Elorde was at his best in the opening round where he caught his opponent with two left straights. Right at the bell, however, he took a blow to his nape as Rodriguez clipped him with his left and hit him with his right.

There was not much of action in the second and third rounds, and in the fourth, Elorde went on the attack, probably knowing that he needed a knockout to salvage the victory.

But he got tagged by a good right hook by Villareal in the closing seconds, marking his defeat on his first fight on US soil.