Thursday, 06 August 2026 · Philippines
Little Dado
👑 2-Division World Champion

Little “Eleuterio Zapanta” Dado

January 1, 1916  –  July 7, 1965
📍 Place of Birth: La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
71 Wins
7 Losses
11 Draws
·
22 KOs
Career: 1932  –  1943
Belts Won
World Titles
NBA (WBA) National Unified World Flyweight
Won: Feb 21, 1941 UD Jackie JurichLost: Feb 21, 1942 Vacated
CSAC-California CSAC-California World Bantamweight
Won: Apr 24, 1940 UD Tony OliveraLost: Apr 24, 1941 Vacated
CSAC-California CSAC-California World Flyweight
Won: Nov 30, 1938 UD Small Montana; 1 DefenseLost: Jun 17, 1941 Vacated
Regional Belts
CSAC CSAC California Bantamweight
Won: Sep 20, 1938 UD Jimmy Babe McCusker; 3 DefensesLost: Jun 01, 1940 Vacated
Orient Orient Flyweight
Won: Sep 28, 1935 UD Speed Cabanela; 1 DefenseLost: Jun 06, 1937 Vacated
Orient Orient Super Flyweight
Won: May 04, 1935 UD Kid PacanaLost: May 03, 1936 Vacated

About Little Dado

Eleuterio “Little Dado” Zapanta (January 1, 1916 – July 7, 1965) was a Filipino flyweight and bantamweight boxer from Negros Occidental. Active in the 1930s and early 1940s, he rose to prominence as one of the world’s top fighters, earning the No. 1 Ring magazine ranking at flyweight in 1939. Dado captured the World bantamweight title in 1940 and the World flyweight title in 1941, becoming recognized in California as champion in both divisions. Ambitious to add a featherweight crown, he sought to become only the second boxer to hold three world titles simultaneously. He retired in 1943 with an official record of 90 fights, 73 wins (22 by KO), 6 losses, and 11 draws. Remembered as a trailblazer of Philippine boxing, he died in 1965 at age 49.

Fight Record 89 bouts

Little Dado Also Mentioned In 85 articles

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Our Continuing Malaise at Flyweight: Who Will Finally End the Title Drought? (Part 1) , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 20 Mar 2022 Manny Pacquiao is the Greatest Asian Boxer According to Japanese Sports Journalist , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 25 Aug 2021 Bantamweight: Former Waterloo, Now Philippines' Glory Division (First Part: Tracing An Ugly Past) , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 08 Jul 2021 Is the Bantamweight Our New Flyweight? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 02 Jun 2021 WBC NEWS: The Great “Baham” Factor , PhilBoxing.com 21 Apr 2021 Another Golden Age in PH Boxing? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 14 Apr 2021 Are We About to Give up on WBA Again? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 02 Feb 2021 Dr. Ed de la Vega, DDS.: The man with the golden heart is ready for the “New Norm” , by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, PhilBoxing.com 29 Oct 2020 Reynoso: We Need a PBC to Develop, Not Regulate Pro Boxing , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 16 Sep 2020 Manny Pacquiao and Eumir Marcial Strokes of Luck or Natural Freaks? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 21 Jul 2020 The Enduring Influence of Flash Elorde and Manny Pacquiao (Part 3) , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 29 May 2020 Pacman and Other Famous Pinoy Boxing Aliases , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 22 May 2020 Paalam, Ate Laura… , by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, PhilBoxing.com 08 May 2020 STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART VI: SMALL MONTANA, ONE OF THE BEST TEN FILIPINO BOXERS BY ESPN , by Maloney L. Samaco, PhilBoxing.com 05 Apr 2020 Remembering PH Boxing's Unsung Heroes Special Sports Series (Second of Five Parts) , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 31 Mar 2020 SPECIAL SPORTS SERIES: REMEMBERING RP BOXING'S “UNSUNG HEROES” , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 30 Mar 2020 Bantamweight and Featherweight, New Pinoy Niche Weight Classes? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 14 Nov 2019 Philippines All Time Best Boxers , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 06 Oct 2019 Nietes as Ancajas Challenger, Why Not? , by Teodoro Medina Reynoso, PhilBoxing.com 03 Sep 2019 Pacquiao pays homage to Pancho Villa , The Manila Times ↗ 19 Jun 2019

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