Long before Pacquiao, Elorde figured in one of boxing’s classic rivalries

CEBU, Philippines -  The Pacquiao-Marquez rivalry is one for the ages. There's no question about that. In fact, the two great warriors with devastating punching powers will lock themselves up in a fourth showdown tomorrow morning (Philippine time) in Las Vegas that is expected to be another blockbuster hit. 

But long before Pacquiao's brewing animosity with Marquez, there is another Filipino boxing great who figured in a series of fights against a single opponent.

He is no other than Cebu's hometown pride, the late Gabriel "Flash" Elorde (March 25, 1935-January 2, 1985). Born and raised in the northern town of Bogo, now a component city, Elorde rose from humble beginnings to become one of the brightest ring stars this country has ever produced.

In his decorated career that spanned for 15 years, Elorde was used to trading fistic bombs against one opponent at least two times. Among his notable foes include Harold Gomes of the United States, Carlos Ortiz and Miguel Berrios of Puerto Rico, and Hisao Kobayashi and Yoshiaki Numata of Japan.            

The most prominent of them all is Terou Kosaka of Japan, whom Elorde fought five times over a four-year period (1961-1965). 'The Flash' has dropped only one bout to the Japanese.

During their first encounter, Elorde punched his way to a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Kosaka to natch the OPBF lightweight title on September 2, 1961 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The Japanese brawler, however, lashed back at his Filipino tormentor via a controversial split decision in their rematch on April 30, 1962 at Kosaka's hometown in Tokyo.

Their next three bouts went in Elorde's way. After beating Kosaka for the second time by decision on August 4, 1962 at the Cebu Coliseum, the Filipino sports legend went on to destroy his Japanese archrival in the 12th of a scheduled 15-rounder on July 27, 1964 at Tokyo's Kokugikan Arena.

Elorde put a definitive end on their rivarly by knocking out Kosaka in the 15th and final round to retain his WBC and WBA super featherweight belts on June 5, 1965 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Before his epic match with Kosaka, Elorde was already a world champion, winning the world lightweight crown with a seventh round stoppage of Gomes on March 16, 1960 at the Big Dome. He defended his throne 10 times, making him the longest reigning world junior lightweight champion ever (seven years and three months).

Elorde reign ended when he lost by majority decision to Yoshiaki Numata of Japan on June 15, 1967 in Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan.

Considered the greatest super featherweight champion of all time in WBC history, Elorde retired with a record of  88 wins (33 KOs), 27 losses and 2 draws. He died of lung failure on January 2, 1985 at the age of 49. (FREEMAN)