Pacquiao-Inal bout, Gorres cited in Elorde Sports Awards

The Philippine junior lightweight championship between Bobby Pacquiao and Renato Inal was adjudged the best fight of 2002, while Z Gorres, an upcoming fighter, was voted the year’s most promising boxer among candidates for the prestigious Flash Elorde Memorial Awards which will be held tomorrow at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Bobby Pacquiao, younger brother of world champion Manny Pacquiao, won the Philippine junior lightweight crown in an 11th round knockout of Inal but not after absorbing punishing blows in a bloody skirmish June 15 last year at the Casino Filipino-Parañaque.

Gorres’ quick rise to fame since he turned pro at the age of 18 two years ago is anchored on a 14-0 win with seven knockouts. He is being groomed by lawyer Rudy Salud and Tony Aldeguer to fill in the shoes left by Gerry Peñalosa.

Both promoters have sealed an agreement to develop the young Gorres into an international champion.

Pacquiao and Gorres are among special honorees in the third Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Awards where Sen. Robert Barbers, chairman of the Senate committee on games, entertainment and sports, will confer the Top Boxer of the Year award on Manny Pacquiao and on 13 Filipino international boxing champions and 18 Philippine titleholders.

Also to be honored in the rites held in honor of Flash Elorde, the greatest Filipino boxer in the post-war era, are Samson Gello-Ani (best promoter), Florencio Rontal (best manager), Restituto Fernandez (best trainer), Virgilio Garcia (best referee), Pascual Ingusan (best judge) and Jimmy Narvaez (best matchmaker).

Gello-Ani, a Cebu promoter, has produced national and international champions like Rodel Mayol, Joma Gamboa and brothers Noel and Malcolm Tunacao.

Rontal is manager of OPBF titleholder Jess Maca, while Fernandez is Manny Pacquiao’s trainer.

Garcia is considered one of the best referees in Asia for his poise under pressure and his decisiveness on the ring, while Ingusan, now in his 70s, has been a judge for over 30 years.

Narvaez is known for his resourcefulness, having in his personal file a complete compilation of every boxer’s ring record.

The Elorde Awards, to be telecast over NBN-4, is sponsored by PAGCOR, Family Rubbing Alcohol, PCSO, Outlast Battery, Casa Belrina Travel, Enervon Prime, Thunderbird-Enertone, Nextel, Elorde Sports Center, Bai & Mig Party Favors and Elorde Sporting Goods International.