Gomes, Elorde’s old-time rival, pal, here for rites

Former world champion Harold Gomes and family arrived last night on board Northwest Airlines from his hometown in Providence, Rhode Island and received a warm welcome from the Elorde family, the press and several friends.

Gomes, remembered by Filipinos as the former world champion who fought the legendary Gabriel "Da Flash" Elorde in the opening of the Araneta Coliseum on March 16, 1960, and in which Elorde wrested the crown via a seventh round knockout, is in town to attend the fourth Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Boxing Awards Night at the Dusit Hotel Nikko on Thursday.

He will receive the Flash Elorde Memorial Trophy, a recognition being given to an opponent of "Da Flash" every year for their outstanding accomplishments in the ring. Holmes stayed as a respected and very good friend of "Da Flash" even until their retirements.

Gomes today will visit and lay a wreath on the grave of Flash Elorde at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque after which a dinner will be tendered by the Elorde Family at their residence.

The Awards Night on Thursday will also bestow the Boxer of the Year Award to Peoples’ consensus champion and Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao who is receiving this award for the third straight year now.

Sponsored by PCSO, Pagcor, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Casa Belrina Travel, Johnson & Johnson, Reli Tours & Travel, Elorde Sporting Goods Int’l. and the Elorde Sports Center, this round of awards also known as the "Banquet of Champions" will see former world champions, Tacy Macalos and Rolando Pascua receiving their trophies as well.

Other honorees are: Rex "Wackee" Salud as best promoter, Leonil Lazarito best manager, Restituto Fernandez best trainer, Ferdinand Estrella best judge, Teddy Alivio best referee, Eric Barcelona Most Promising Boxer and the fight of Dennis Laurente and Fernando Montilla for the OPBF crown last Aug. 20 at the Casino Filipino as the Fight of the Year.

The Flash Elorde Award will also honor Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, former GAB chairman Dominador Cepeda, Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario and special boxing friend Takafusa Kawarai. Also to be cited are The Inner Wheel Club of Parañaque Sucat, Dist. 381, the Rotary Club of Parañaque Sucat Dist. 3830, Sports Radio and the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

Posthumous awards will be conferred on former world champ Pedro Adigue, matchmaker Candido Bautista and trainers, father and son Nestor and Antonio Angel.