During the 1920s and 1930s, boxing was a popular sport on Kaua‘i, with a number good local boxers fighting before large crowds at the old Lihu‘e Armory, located where the state building now stands. One of the best fight nights
During the 1920s and 1930s, boxing was a popular sport on Kaua‘i, with a number good local boxers fighting before large crowds at the old Lihu‘e Armory, located where the state building now stands.
One of the best fight nights occurred on Saturday, April 9, 1932, when Filipino sensation Little Pancho (1912-1969) fought K.O. Kuratsu of Honolulu before 2,000 fight fans at the armory.
Little Pancho has since been ranked No. 11 in the All-Time Filipino Fighter Rankings and Number 20 in the World All Flyweight Ratings.
Born Eulogio Tingson in Manila, his professional boxing record was 42 wins, seven by knockout, 14 losses and 15 draws. He was the younger half-brother of former Flyweight World Champion Pancho Villa — one of the greatest boxers of all time — whose record was 92-8-8.
The record for his opponent, Tadato K.O. Kuratsu, is sketchy. According to boxing records, he fought between 1929 and 1935 and posted a 0-3-1 record. Yet Hawai‘i newspaper accounts of the day have him winning a fight against Alejandro Pazmore and being touted as the best available local fighter to meet Little Pancho.
Although the hard-hitting, confident Kuratsu was outclassed by his much quicker, nearly impossible-to-hit opponent, and took a pounding throughout the six-round bout, he fought gamely, putting up the battle of his career and refusing to be knocked out. Referee Ferreiro awarded Little Pancho the decision.
In other bouts, featherweight Kid Short of Kealia defeated Joe Lawrence of Honolulu in a second-round knockout; Freddie Bailey defeated Kid Perla in a six-round decision; flyweight Kid Javellana of Kapa‘a defeated Gabriel Freitas of Honolulu in a sixth-round technical knockout; Tiger Rosa defeated Kid Morinaka of Lihu‘e in a second-round knockout; and Philip Bailey beat Acacio Augustine in a fourth-round technical knockout.
