Filipino Flash Elorde belongs among Magnificent Seven

July 2, 6:53 PMNY Boxing ExaminerMichael Marley

Did I need a reminder that the Dream Match between Roberto Duran, legendary lightweight, and dominant junior lightweight Alexis Arguello was never made?

Chief reason for the Panama-Nicaragua showdown never occuring was that Don King promoted Duran while his rival Bob Arum handled Arguello.

Yet and still, there were only five pounds apart and so awesomely talented. Some unthinking comment posters talk about fights Duran lost in higher weights and I say, so what? He was proably the greatest 135 pound going way back to the Benny Leonard era. Oh, I forgot, some of you catsa aren't sure who Ray Leonard really was.

Big props to WBC Bossman Don Jose Sulaiman for digging up this 1983 photo from a convention of truly great champions held at the United Nations in New York City.

It is especially poignant given the curious death (suicide or not) of Arguello.

Left to right the awesome fighters herein are Nino Benvenuti of Italy; Arguello; Duran; Carlos Zarate of Mexico; the unbelievable Fighting Harada, Japan. Brazil's all-time great bantamweight master, Eder Jofre and the pre-Pacquiao Pinoy Idol, Flash Elorde Jr.

Mr. Sulaiman can sometimes be sappy and oversentimental but this photo is appropriate and worthy of appraisal.

All of them Hall Of Famers and, with the exception of Zarate, it can be said the other six are the greatest fighters their nations ever produced.

Nonito Donaire calls himself the Filipino Flash just some up and coming kid will probably be called the Next Pacman some day down the line.

But, in actuality, there can be only one Filipino Flash, Gabriel Flash Elorde Jr. Just like there will never be another Benvenuti or another Pacquiao.

President Sulaiman said, “The photo was taken at the United Nations in New York in 1983 during the 20th anniversary celebration of the WBC.

“Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, and so many others were also there. It was to me, perhaps the greatest moment in my whole life in boxing. The three greatest living boxers at the time were there. They all received the green belt. They all received a great homage.

“Seeing and being with every one of them and remembering their great fights in the ring was extraordinary. All of them, even those who did not know each other personally, acted like brothers - they were so proud to be together.

“When you look at the picture you can see the sincerity, love, and pride in the faces of them all.”

Kudos again to Don Jose for sending out this timely again photo.

It brings back some wonderful memories of ring wars fought by classic warriors.