Elorde grandson to debut as pro boxer

The grandson of Filipino boxing legend Gabriel "Flash" Elorde is moving closer to achieving his dream of following in the footsteps of his grandfather. Juan Martin, known to his peers as "Bai", will debut as a professional fighter on Feb. 24 in one of the undercards in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior bantamweight championship fight between Filipino Z Gorres and Fernando Montiel of Mexico on Feb. 24 in Cebu City. The 22-year-old Bai, who earned his Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management degree at the De La Salle-St. Benilde College, will enter the professioal ranks after making a dent int he amateurs. In 2004, Bai posted a gold medal finish in the National Open held in Iriga City. Last year, he brought home a silver when the event was helf in Lanao del Norte. But after a thorough assessment of his potential, Bai, according to his mother Lisa, realized that his style of boxing is not for amateur fights. He decided to fight in the junior lightweight category or 130-lbs, just like his 'lolo Gabriel.' It is the same division where Manny Pacquiao succeeded. - GMANews.TV