The sport now has 6 titles boxers can win namely Lineal, Ring, WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF. It's confusing for a regular fan to know who exactly is the current champion. In addition to the number of governing bodies, some if not all of them also have their recognized Super, World, Intercontinental and International champs. The number of belts has tainted the meaning of being a champ unlike back then when there was only one champ.
It should be noted though that outside NYSAC, there was also the NBA now WBA founded by thirteen other states in 1921 who had Jack Dempsey as its first Champ. The California State also had their champion but it was NYSAC which used to have more power until the wide acceptance of the NBA. There could be 2 title holders then but a Lineal champ is ultimately and timely decided because again, there were not too many complications but there were also times that deserving champs were robbed of recognition.
Little Dado, Eleuterio Zapanta in real life is one of those who you can say a victim of lack of luck.This Filipino who was born in Negros Occidental Philippines held both the Bantamweight and Flyweight titles simultaneously. The 5'2 little man was one of the best Flyweights and Bantamweights of the 30s and early 40s. He was rated top 5 Flyweight from 1938 to 1943 and was ranked number 1 by Ring by 1939. His first taste of a title was when he beat Jimmy McCusker for the California State Bantamweight title. He followed this up with a win over Olin Loi setting up a title showdown vs another Filipino.
It was in 1938 when two Filipinos fought for the World Flyweight Title California version. Little Dado was fighting countryman Small Montana who himself beat legends and champions like Midget Wolgast, Manuel Ortiz and Speedy Dado to name some. Little Dado would decision Montana. Little Dado was then faced with a long line of worthy opponents. He successfully defended his title vs Young Joe Roche. Dado then drew with future champion Lou Salica who just kayoed Jackie Jurich and decisioned Manuel Ortiz.
Dado continued his quest for a recognized title. He would have back to back KO wins and beat Salica in the rematch. He would also draw Jackie Jurich, Manuel Ortiz and Tony Olivera. Little Dado and Tony Olivera would meet again shortly after but this time the World Bantamweight title was at stake. The Filipino would not waste the opportunity. He claimed the world title by decisioning Olivera.The other half of the title at the time was held by then recognized Bantamweight Champ Sixto Escobar but relinquished his title as he couldn't make weight. This should have promoted Dado as the legitimate World Champion but to no avail.
Ring refuses to honor the man citing Dado never bothered to defend the title as the main reason. Little Dado would then go back down to face Jackie Jurich, this time NBA World Flyweight title which was vacated by Peter Kane was the grand prize. All these while he was still holding the Bantamweight title. He would continue his dominance on Jurich to capture the Flyweight World Title. Unfortunately, much like the champs between 1985 and 1996 when Michael Spinks vacated the Lineal title, nobody was proclaimed the legitimate champ. For odd reasons Dado still failed to get the recognition he well deserved.
The next Flyweight to hold the lineal was Jackie Peterson in 1943. Regardless whether Little Dado was robbed of the right to be called the true champ or not, this warrior has forever cemented his place in the sport. The man only lost to two men and put the Philippines back in the map. Him along with Small Montana, Speedy Dado and Little Pancho well represented the Philippines in the lower weight classes. Much respect champ. Yup you're a champ. You will be remembered.
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