Silvino Jamito:
The First Filipino International Boxing Star
Silvino Jamito, the first Filipino boxer to set foot in Australia, lived by his mantra: “Have gloves, can fight, will travel.”
Born on February 2, 1894, in Talisay, Camarines Norte, he had the pluck and bottom to back it up. A bobbing and weaving type of bruiser, he was known for throwing more punches than he took, and he quickly earned the respect of fight fans.
Over the course of his remarkable career, Jamito stepped into the ring an astonishing 188 times.
According to BoxRec.com and BoxerList.com, his official record stands at 77 wins (12 by KO), 71 losses (8 by KO), and 39 draws—numbers that, while accurate on paper, don’t fully capture the impact he made in the ring.
Like many Filipino youths during the Philippine-American War and occupation around 1912, Silvino Jamito took on various jobs to get by. He first worked for a wealthy Spanish family before assisting Edward Gallaher, a U.S. Marine and entrepreneur who organized boxing events in Subic Bay, Olongapo. Under Gallaher’s guidance, Jamito discovered and honed his talent for boxing.
As World War I and the Philippine-American conflict raged on, Jamito enlisted in the Philippine Army. Watching soldiers and sailors train, spar, and compete, he absorbed everything he could. With formal training from Stewart Tait, he soon stepped into the ring for his first official fight. On December 13, 1913, he made his debut with a third-round knockout victory over David Paulino. The following year, he fought Francisco Gamboa to a draw on February 28, 1914, before stringing together eight straight wins. His streak ended on July 18, 1914, when he lost on points to Paul Gyn.
As time passed, Jamito’s career in the Philippines began to stall. But fate stepped in when he met George Bailleau, an Australian writer, promoter, and ad man who saw potential in him. Bailleau believed that with proper training and resources, Jamito could hold his own against top international fighters. Together with fellow Filipino boxers Maximiano (Macario) Villon and Francisco Reyes, Jamito set sail for Australia aboard the NYK steamship Nikko Maru in August 1919.
His arrival in Australia created a stir, opening doors for other Filipino boxers seeking fame and fortune. Despite facing overt racism, Jamito quickly won over crowds with his aggressive style and sharp skills. Boxing writer W.F. Corbett, editor of The Referee, acknowledged his talent but unfairly downplayed his discipline and technique, attributing his success purely to natural ability—playing into the racist stereotype of Filipinos as instinctive brawlers rather than skilled fighters. Jamito’s fights in sold-out arenas proved otherwise, showcasing his mettle.
Despite his strong performances, Jamito struggled against top competition in Australia. He suffered hard-fought losses to two men later faced by his friend and pupil, Dencio Cabanela— losing a grueling 20-round battle to Eugene Criqui on February 19, 1921, and another to Bert McCarthy on September 20, 1921. After his run in Australia, Jamito moved to the United States, where he continued to fight even as his skills declined. His career came to an end on July 24, 1928, with a swift second-round TKO loss at Queensboro Stadium in Long Island, New York.
After retiring from boxing, Jamito tried his hand at driving public transportation on the East Coast before eventually settling in Salinas—John Steinbeck’s neck of the woods—where he worked in agriculture. He lived the twilight of his life with his Australian wife and their son, Sydney.
Jamito passed away at the age of 56 on February 16, 1950, in Monterey, California,
His life and career were later chronicled in Anne R. Tapp’s research paper, “Slam Jam”: The Australian “Oriental Fancy” Silvino Jamito, which captured the journey and struggles of the first Filipino international boxing star in the Antipodes.
“Jamito’s popularity defied many precepts that indicate sports idols reflect or embody national characteristics. For a Filipino boxer to become, if not an idol, then a very popular Australian sporting figure in a country that supported a White Australia policy was incongruent with mainstream racial rhetoric. However, values with which most Australians could identify were attributed to Jamito: he was a Christian, a hard worker in the mold of the “Aussie battler”, a family man, a decent fighter who abided the rules of sport, open and honest in his actions-always training in public view, uncomplaining, accepting of the Australian way of life, and a “bit of a larrikin” in the ring.”
Sources, References, Acknowledgements and Recommended Readings:
- This article contains selected excerpts, quotations, images, and archival references used under the Fair Use provisions of Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. These materials are presented for educational, scholarly, and cultural preservation purposes. Every effort has been made to properly attribute sources and limit use to what is necessary to honor the historical and cultural narrative.
- All references in this article are based on multiple sources like The Ring, The Ring (Records and Almanac), The Boxing Blade, The Referee, Knockout, Cablenews American, BoxRec.com, BoxerList.com, PhilBoxing.com, The Tribune, The Manila Bulletin Daily and others.
- The marquee photo and visual depiction of Sylvino Jamito are based on surviving archival photographs, were lightly enhanced and faithfully recreated with modern photo-generating tools, with careful attention to historical accuracy. Done by ManoyTKO DigiSigns.