Int’l champs feted in Elorde rites

International Boxing Federation superbantamweight titleholder and Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao leads an elite field of Filipino 2003 world and international champions who will be honored in the Elorde Banquet of Champions during the fourth Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Boxing Awards Night set March 25 at the Dusit Hotel Nikko.

Pacquiao retained his IBF title in two successful title defenses in 2003 before he stopped Mexican Marco Antonio Barrero in an epic showdown to emerge the best among Filipino titleholders who will be feted in the fourth edition of Philippine boxing’s highest accolade.

Pacquiao will be joined by 12 other world and international champions who reigned in their divisions in what is considered the most successful year for Filipino boxers in the international arena.

The boxing champions will receive the Flash Elorde Awards, to be presented by the clan of Da Flash, an International Hall of Famer considered the best junior lightweight boxer of all time in formal rites sponsored by Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. and Family Rubbing Alochol.

Alberto "Bobby" Pacquiao will have the honor to join the company of his more illustrious brother during the Banquet of champions as RP superfeatherweight titlist from January to December last year.

The exclusive gathering of Filipino champions of 2003 includes WBC international lightflyweight champion Juanito Rubillar, PABA lightflyweight ruler Marvin Tampos, OPBF superfeatherweight titlist Randy Suico and OPBF champ Dennis Laurente, who, like Pacquiao, kept their title intact for 12 months.

The other world and international champions in 2003 are miniflyweight champions Ernesto Rubillar (WBC international) and Armando dela Cruz (WBC international and WBC youth); flyweights Randy Mangubat (WBC international), Diosdado Gabi (WBC international), Rolly Lunas (PABA), and Roselito Campana (PABA); superflyweight Malcolm Tuñacao (WBC international); bantamweights Jess Maca (OPBF) and Roger Galicia (WBC international), superbantamweight Pedrito Laurente (OPBF), lightweight Larry Pelonia (PABA) and welterweight Fernando Sagrado (PABA).

The other RP champions, who all retained their titles throughout the year, are lightweight Fernando Montilla, superlightweight Dindo Castanares and welterweight Dondon Sultan.