WBC head feted in Elorde Awards

Mexico’s Jose Sulaiman, the most powerful figure in world boxing, will receive a special award for the WBC’s contribution to world boxing and his support to Filipino world title campaigners during the second Elorde Annual Awards-Banquet of Champions Monday (March 25), at 6 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Intercontinental Manila.

Sulaiman, considered father of Filipino boxing champions, has been president for two decades of the world’s most prestigious boxing body, which has helped destitute boxers and pioneered in research for boxing-related injuries.

Last year, Sulaiman upheld a Philippine protest filed by manager Rudy Salud on Gerry Peñalosa’s title bout with Japanese Masamori Tokuyama after the referee failed to slap a penalty for the Japanese’ headbutting. That decision opened an opportunity for Peñalosa to gain a crack at WBC superflyweight championship.

The other special awardees of the Flash Elorde Boxing Awards, held in honor of the former world junior lightweight champion, are Rudy Salud (WBC secretary general), Eduardo Villanueva (GAB chairman), Bruce McTavish (international referee), MMDA chairman Ben Abalos (former president of the Rizal Amateur Boxing Association), Las Piñas Mayor Vergel "Nene" Aguilar (boxing friend and supporter) and Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad (former boxing judge).

Sulaiman will receive the special award from National Security Adviser Roilo Golez. a former amateur boxing champion, who will also present the Boxer of the Year award to Manny Pacquiao.

The Awards Night, presented by the Johnny Elorde Management International and Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Foundation, will be telecast on Viva Vintage IBC-Channel 13 March 27 with replay on April 1. Hosts are Liza Vicencio Elorde and Joaquin Henson.

The sponsors are Philippine Airlines, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Centrum, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Thunderbird Power Feeds, Elorde Sporting Goods International and BAI and Mig Party Favors.

Fourteen world and international champions, led by former WBC international superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa, and 18 Philippine champions in 2001, will receive the major awards.

The top honorees are Rex "Wacky" Salud (best promoter), Antonio Aldeguer (best manager), Mario Lumacad (best trainer), Ferdinand Estrella (best referee), Vincent Rodriguez (best judge), Felixberto Jardenil (best matchmaker) and Rodel Mayol (most promising boxer.

Former world champions Luisito Espinosa (WBA bantamweight and WBC featherweight) , Erbito Salavarria (WBC and WBA flyweight) and Eric Chavez (IBF miniflyweight) will also be honored.