Manny, other champs feted in Elorde Awards tonite

The greatest in Philippine pro boxing the year past and the personalities that produced what is considered the largest assembly so far of world and international champions gather tonight to receive the ultimate recognition – the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Annual Awards – in formal rites at the Dusit Hotel in Makati.

International Boxing Federation superbantam-weight champion and Ring magazine’s world featherweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao leads 15 international champions and 14 Filipino titlists who will be honored in what is also dubbed the "Flash Elorde Banquet of Champions" hosted for the fourth straight year by the clan of Philippine boxing’s greatest boxer of all time.

Although Pacquiao will not be around to receive the highest accolade – the Boxer of the Year award – for the third straight year because of his training in the US for his next fight, he will be represented by his manager Rod Nazario.

Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, a ring judge in various championship bouts here and abroad, will be the guest of honor and speaker.

He will present the Boxer of the Year award to Nazario and the Gabriel Flash Elorde Memorial Trophy to 70-year-old former world junior lightweight champion Harold Gomes, whose twin losses to Elorde in 1960 launched the Filipino boxing great’s uninterrupted seven-year reign.

Recipients of major awards in the formal ceremonies sponsored by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Johnson & Johnson are international champions of the prestigious World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation, Orient Pacific Boxing Federation and Pacific Asia Boxing Association.

They are Ernesto Rubillar and Juanito dela Cruz (WBC miniflyweight), Marvin Tampos (PABA lightfly), WBC flyweight champions Randy Mangubat and Disodado Gabi, Rolly Lunas and Rosleito Campana (PABA), Malcolm Tuñacao (WBC superfly), bantamweight titlists Jess Maca (OPBF) amd Roger Galicia (WBC), Pederito Laurente (OPBF superbantam), Randy Suico (OPBF superfeather) and lightweight champs Dennis Larente (OPBF) and Larry Pelonia (PABA).

Former IBF lightflyweight champion Tacy Macalos and Rolando Pascua will be on the honor roll of former world champions, while former world champion Pedro Adigue, who passed away last year, leads the posthumous awardees.

The duel between Dennis Laurente and Fernando Montilla for the OPBF lightweight championship on Aug. 20 last year has been adjudged the best bout of 2003, while Eric Barcelona will be cited as the most promising boxer.

Laura Elorde, wife of the International Boxing Hall of Famer, will deliver the opening remarks during the Annual Awards also sponsored by Casa Belrina Travel Consultants, Enervon Prime, Enertone, Reli Tours & Travel, Elorde Sporting Goods International, Bai & Mig Party Favors, Ringside Coffee Corner and Little House Montessori.

Masters of ceremonies are Liza V. Elorde and Ted Lerner.

The awards rites, to be covered by Viva Vintage, will be aired on Saturday.

The complete list of awardees: