Elorde Awards fetes boxing’s best tonite

World, international and Philippine champions, and boxing personalities that contributed to Philippine professional boxing in 2002 will be honored in the 3rd Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Sports Awards today starting at 7 p.m., at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Sen. Robert Barbers, chairman of the Senate committee on sports, entertainment and games, will be the guest of honor and speaker during the formal rites honoring the biggest names in professional boxing led by Boxer of the Year awardee Manny Pacquiao, the country’s remaining world boxing champion.

Thirteen international titleholders and 18 Philippine champions of 2002 are the major awardees of the Flash Elorde Awards, given in honor of the country’s greatest boxing champion of all time.

Shigeji Kaneko, former OPBF champion who defeated Elorde in the early years of the latter’s career, will receive the Elorde Memorial Trophy while former IBF miniflyweight champion Manny Melchor and former WBF miniflyweight titlist Ronnie Magramo will be in the honor roll of former world champions.

The sons of Da Flash — Johnny, Bebot and Marty — will assist Barbers in handing the trophy to the honorees in what is also dubbed the Flash Elorde Banquet of Champions.

The formal rites, which will be telecast over NBN-4, is sponsored by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., Family Rubbing Alcohol, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Enervon Prime, Casa Belrina Travel Consultants, Johnson & Johnson, Outlast Battery, Enertone Thunderbird, Elorde Sporting Goods International, Elorde Sports Center, Bai & Mig Party Favors and Ringside Coffer Corner.

The complete list of awardees:

Manny Pacquiao (Boxer of the Year), Shigeji Kaneko (Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Trophy);

2002 international champions: Ernesto Rubillar (WBC international miniflyweight), Juanito Rubillar (WBC international), Marvin Tampos (PABA), lightflyweight; Randy Mangubat (WBC international, Roselito Campana (PABA international), flyweight; Gerry Penalosa (WBC international superflyweight); Jess Maca (OPBF), Abner Cordero (WBC international), bantamweight; Randy Suico (OPBF superfeatherweight), Dennis Laurente (OPBF), Larry Pelonia (PABA), lightweight; and Rev Santillan (OPBF), Fernando Sagrado (PABA), welterweight.

2002 Philippine champions: Eriberto Yukka Gejon, Rodel Mayol (lightflyweight), Celso Danggod, Wendyl Janiola (lightfyweight), Melvin Magramo, Rolly Lunas (flyweight), Eric Barcelona, Roger Galicia (superflyweight), Johnny Lear (bantamweight), Jimrex Jaca (superbantamweight), Samuel Duran, Jeffrey Onate (featherweight); Randy Suico, Bobby Pacquiao (superfeatherweight), Dindo Castanares (superlightweight); Rey Pelonia, Dondo Sultan (welterweight), Ernie Alesna (superwelterweight).

Top Honorees: Samson Gello-Ani (best promoter), Florencio Rontal (best manager), Restituto Fernandez (best trainer), Virgilio Garcia (best referee), Pascual Ingusan (best judge), Jimmy Narvaez (best matchmaker), Bobby Pacquiao-Renato Inal bout (best fight), Z. Gorres (most promising boxer);

Former world champions: Manny Melchor, Ronnie Magramo

Special Awards: Efraim Genuino (Pagcor chairman), Manuel Nieto (former GAB chairman), Dr. Nasser Cruz (GAB physician);

Posthumous Awards: Enrique "Irog" Jimenez (international referee), Mamerto Besa (promoter), Vincent Rodriguez (boxing judge);

Citations: Games and Amusements Board, Philippine Sportswriters Association, Nick Giongco, Virgie Romano, Fistorama.