Gabriel "Flash" Elorde

1. Flash Elorde (born Gabriel Elorde; March 25, 1935 – January 2, 1985) was a Filipino professional boxer who was born and raised in the town and now the city of Bogo, Cebu.
2. Elorde was a World Junior Lightweight Champion, he won the title in 1960. 
3. In 1963, he was inaugurated as WBC and WBA champion. He still holds the junior lightweight division record for longest title reign, and is considered as one of the greatest junior lightweight champion in history. It spanned for seven years, and in doing-so he legitimized the division.
4. Elorde is considered as one of the best Filipino boxers of all-time along with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and flyweight champion in the 1920s, Pancho Villa. 
5. He was much beloved in the Philippines as a sports and cultural icon, being the first Filipino international boxing champion since middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia.
6. A southpaw, Flash Elorde was known for his boxing skills and speed. Writer Robert Lipsyte once described his style as the "subtle little temple-dancer moves".
7. Elorde made his professional debut at the age of 16 on June 16, 1951, against Kid Gonzaga. The bout was held in Cebu, Philippines. The boxing newcomer stopped his foe in the 4th round.
8. Elorde retired with a record of 88 wins (33 KOs), 27 losses and 2 draws. He is considered the greatest super featherweight champion of all time in WBC history.
9. Elorde died of lung cancer on January 2, 1985 at 6:30 p.m. local time. He was 49.
10. In 1993, he became the first Asian inducted into the New York-based International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was also enshrined into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Elorde's father-in-law, Lope Sarreal, one of Asia's most prominent boxing promoters, was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Elorde was also voted the 78th best fighter by the Ring Magazine's writers in 2002 when the Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years was released.
11. The Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque was founded in 1983 (two years before his death in 1985) was dedicated to him. It hosts boxing matches and future fights.
12. Author James Ellroy, an avid boxing fan, named a character in his novel American Tabloid after Elorde.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Elorde