Pacquiao to receive Elorde Boxer-of-the-Year award

Manny Pacquiao, the most popular boxer who remains the country’s biggest hope for a world crown, will receive the highest accolade as Boxer of the Year during the 2004 Elorde Annual Sports Awards March 30 at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati.

Pacquiao, whose stature as boxing great has not diminished after his loss to Eric Morales of Mexico in Las Vegas last week, has been invited to be in Manila to receive the award from Sen. Mar Roxas, guest of honor during the awards rites, and the boxing legend’s wife Laura and her family.

Pacquiao arrived yesterday morning from Los Angeles (see main story on Page 1).

Also to be honored during the fifth annual staging of the Annual Awards, also called the Elorde Banquet of Champions, are Philippines’ world and international champions in 2004.

Posthumous award will be conferred on boxing trainer Edilberto Campo, who passed away last year.

Also to be cited for their contributions to Philippine boxing are Annie David, president of the Inner Wheel club of Parañaque, Sucat District 381; Ike Lopez, president of the Rotary Club of Parañaque, Sucat District 380; and Jimmy Cantor, president of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

The international champions: Minimumweight titleholders Arman dela Cruz (WBC international), Rodel Mayol (OPBF), Benjie Sorolla (WBF international), lightflyweight champions Juanito Rubillar (WBC international) and Marvin Tampos (PABA), flyweight kings Rolly Lunas (PABA), Diosdado Gabi (WBC int’l), Rexon Flores (WBO Asia Pacific) and Sukarno Banjao (WBF int’l), superflyweight holders Malcolm Tunacao (WBC int’l), Mark Sales (WBF int’l) and Gerry Peñalosa (WBF), bantamweights Rey Bautista (WBO Asia Pacific) and Rodel Kid Orais (WBF int’l), superbantamweights Pederito Laurente (OPBF) and Jimrex Jaca (OPBF), OPBF superfeatherweight champion Randy Suico, OPBF lightweight titleholder Dennis Laurente, OPBF superlightweight champion Dindo Castanares and welterweight holders Rey Santillan (OPBF) and Rey Pelonia (WBF int’l).

The Philippine champions: Elmer Gejon (minimumweight), Bert Batawang and Sonny Boy Jaro (lightflyweight), Edgar Rodrigo and Jerry Pahayahay (flyweight), Eric Barcelona (superflyweight), Joey Bauya (bantamweight), Reynaldo Tribo and Alex Escaner (superbantamweight), Jeffrey Onate (featherweight), Alberto "Bobby" Pacquiao (superfeatherweight), Fernando Montilla (lightweight), Dindo Castanares (superlightweight) and Dondon Sultan (welterweight).