Gomes feted in Elorde Awards rites

Harold Gomes lying on the ropes while Gabriel "Flash" Elorde stands tall, winning the junior lightweight championship.

This was the defining moment which became the turning point in the career of the greatest Filipino boxer of all time who went on to retain the crown for seven years, until 1967.

Over 37,600 people were on hand to witness the very first world title bout in the then newly built Araneta Coliseum.

Forty-four years later on Thursday, Gomes now 70, received a special award from the clan of a long-time rival and friend — the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Trophy — an honor awarded to an opponent of worth of Da Flash.

The occasion was the Gabriel Elorde Sports Awards Night where he joined current and past Filipino world, international and Philippine champions who were honored in what is also dubbed the "Elorde Banquet of Champions" at the Dusit Hotel in Makati.

In formal rites, Gomes, who still officiates boxing bouts, went on stage not as a vanquished foe of the Filipino champion but as a former world champion himself.

Gomes said he was excited to come here not only to receive the award but to visit the Araneta Coliseum, site of his historic bout with Elorde.

Coming back it seems, was something he was planning for quite some time.

"He was so excited, he actually sat up when he saw the Dome when we were in the car," according to Karen, Gomes’ wife who together with his son, daughter and grandson were with him in this nostalgic trip.