March 16, 1960: Flash Elorde KOs Harold Gomes; March 16, 2008: Manny Pacquiao KOs Marquez?

Call it a coincidence but on March 16, 2008, the entire Filipino fistic community will commemorate the 48th year of the crowning of the greatest ever world junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Incidentally, on the same day, national hero Manny Pacquiao will attempt to vanquish WBC superfeatherweight (also junior lightweight) kingpin Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in a 12-round title fight at the Mandalay Bay and Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. If Pacquiao will topple the WBC crown off the head of the Mexican dynamo, it will be a double celebration for the Philippines. Forthy eight years ago, underdog Elorde humbled in the seventh round defending champion Harold Gomes of Rhodes Island in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history during the inaugural of the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. In their rematch on August 17, 1960, Elorde settled the argument by disposing off Gomes in the first round at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. Elorde (88 wins, 33 KOs, 27 losses) reigned as world champion for seven years. On March 16, 2008, Pacquiao, 29, is slightly favored to tame the murderous Marquez, 34, who vowed to avenge the embarrassing setback suffered by his countrymen to Pacquiao. Some Filipino experts have predicted a stoppage victory for Pacquiao who will try to eclipse the record established by Elorde, a Visayan like Pacquiao.