While many boxing fans think that Manny Pacquiao spawned the Filipino fight scene, Pacman was just the latest in a string of great Filipino fighters over the decades. Take a look at this list of the top 10 Filipino boxers of all time.
10. Rolando Navarrete:A.k.a "Bad boy from the de Jangas" Navarrete competed in a fierce and crowded super featherweight and lightweight scene in the early and mid 1980s. He lost toAlexis Arguello in his first attempt at a world title in 1980, but would win in his second attempt, knocking out Cornelius Boza Edwards. He made one successful defense before losing to Rafael Limon. Six years later he rematched Limon at lightweight and won a decision.
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9. Small Montana: Born Benjamin Gan, Small Gontana was a quick and darting technician, scoring just 18 KOs amongst his 83 wins. Became the World Flyweight champion in 1935, and eventually challenged for a bantamweight title. Sports a losing 2-3 record in title fights, including his points loss to Little Dado in 1938.
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8. Little Dado: Little Dado, real name Eleuterio Zapanta, earned titles in two weight classes, flyweight and bantamweight, competing in both at the same time. He holds a win over the man beneath him on this list, Small Montana, in which he won a version of the World Flyweight Title. Career record 47 (21)-7-9.
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(Ben Villamor vs Kuniaki Shibata, Shibata lying on the floor, Ben walking away victorious)
7. Ben Villaflor: Villaflor had two stints as the WBA super featherweight titleholder, going a combined 5-2-3 in title fights in a four year stretch. Villaflor finished with a 53-7-6 record, with 31 knockout victories.
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6. Ceferino Garcia: Starting his career as a 16-year-old lightweight, Garcia would go on to win the World Middleweight Title and earn 103 victories, most ever for a Filipino boxer. Before capturing a title at middleweight, he gave the best welterweights of his day plenty of trouble, losing by decision to Barney Ross (twice) and Henry Armstrong. One of the inventors of the Bolo punch.
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5. Luisito Espinosa: Espinosa was a two-division world champion with a stint at the top of the sport that stretched for over a decade. He won the WBA bantamweight title in 1989 against Khaokor Galaxy, and made two successful defenses. His stint as WBC featherweight champion was much more fruitful, beginning with a win over Manuel Medina in 1995, and stretching over 7 successful defenses, including a second win over Medina, and a defeat of Kennedy McKinney.
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4. Nonito Donaire: Before all is said and done, Donaire will likely vault himself into the number 2 position on this list. He's already a two-division champion, and holds stunning knockout victories over Fernando Montiel, Vic Darchinyan and Wladimir Sidorenko amongst his other triumphs. A scary combination of speed, power and technical ability. Unfortunately he is overshadowed by the boxing titan Manny Pacqiao
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3. Pancho Villa: Real name Francisco Guilledo, Pancho Villa fought in 108 bouts, and only lost nine times, four of which were by way of newspaper decision. Villa won the American Flyweight Title in 1922, and the World Flyweight Title in 1923, knocking out Jimmy Wilde in the 7th. He became the first Filipino boxing champion ever with that win, and defended his belt three times.2. Flash Elorde: Elorde lost in his first attempt at a world title, stopped by cuts against Sandy Saddler in 1956. He would capture the World Super Featherweight title in 1960 against Harold Gomes, defending it 9 times successfully while also competing, albeit with less success, in the lightweight division. He was no slouch at 135 lbs though, it took Carlos Ortiz 14 rounds to dispatch of him on each occasion.
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2. Flash Elorde: Elorde lost in his first attempt at a world title, stopped by cuts against Sandy Saddler in 1956. He would capture the World Super Featherweight title in 1960 against Harold Gomes, defending it 9 times successfully while also competing, albeit with less success, in the lightweight division. He was no slouch at 135 lbs though, it took Carlos Ortiz 14 rounds to dispatch of him on each occasion.
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1. Manny Pacquiao: Probably the greatest boxer who ever lived, current top pound for pound fighter in the world, nobody needs an introduction to Pacman. Pacquiao has a career record of 52-3-2, with 38 KOs, and has won titles in more weight classes than any other fighter in history, competing from flyweight (112 lbs) to junior middleweight (154 lbs). His resume is legendary, with wins over Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton (claimed to best in Europe) and most recently Sugar Shane Mosley. Bring it on Floyd....
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Article by - Jake Emen,