Elorde Awards to fete top pro boxers

International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao will lead 13 international title holders who will receive major awards in professional boxing during the 2002 Flash Elorde Boxing Awards to be held March 25 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Pacquiao emerged as the unanimous choice for the Boxer of the Year award as he became the only Filipino world champion in 2002 following his three title defenses of his IBF crown.

Thirteen international title holders will also be given the major awards during the Elorde Banquet of Champions, held in honor of Flash Elorde, the country’s longest reigning world champion (1960-67).

The Filipino international boxer champions who reigned in 2002, are Ernesto Rubillar, the WBC international mini flyweight champion; Juanito Rubillar (WBC international) and Marvin Tampos (PABA champion), both in the lighflyweight division; Randy Mangubat (WBC international) and Roselito Campana (PABA international), flyweight; Gerry Peñalosa (WBC international superflyweight); Jess Maca (OPBF) and Abner Cordero (WBC), bantamweight; Randy Suico (OPBF superfeatherweight); Dennis Laurente (OPBF) and Larry Pelonia (PABA), lightweight; and Rev Santillan (OPBF) and Fernando Sagrado (PABA), welterweight.

Joining Pacquiao and the international champions are 18 Philippine champions who will also receive major awards from the Elorde clan, which is presenting the award for the third consecutive year to honor outstanding professional boxers.

Also to be honored are former world champions Manny Melchor, the IBF miniflyweight champion in 1992, and Ronnie Magramo, WBF miniflyweight titlist in 1994 and 1996.

The Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Trophy will be awarded to former OPBF champion Shigeji Kaneko of Japan.

Among the top honorees are the best promoter, best manager, trainer, referee, judge and matchmaker as well as the best fight and most promising boxer of the year.

The Awards Night, to be telecast over NBN-4, is sponsored by the Games and Amusements Corp., Family Rubbing Alcohol, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Enervon Prime, Casa Belrina Travel Consultants, Johnson & Johnson, Evertone Thunderbird, Elorde Sporting Goods International, Elorde Sports Center, Bar & Mig Party Favors and Ringside Coffee Corner.