Pacquiao to receive 5th Elorde award

People’s champion Manny Pacquiao heads an exclusive cast of Filipino world and international titleholders in the Elorde Banquet of Champions during the sixth Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Awards slated March 25 at the Dusit Hotel Nikko.

Pacquiao, whose win over Hector Velasquez in September last year gave him worldwide fame as one of the most popular boxers of the planet, will receive the Boxer of the Year award, the supreme honor given to the country’s most outstanding boxer in 2005.

This is the fifth time Pacquiao has been accorded the highest boxing honor. Two more awards will induct him into the Elorde Boxing Hall of Fame, a revered place for outstanding boxers who had reigned for seven years in the international arena.

Flash Elorde, in whose honor the awards are held, reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven years, from 1960 to 1966.

Although he lost to Erik Morales of Mexico in their first encounter in March 2005, that bout, which saw both sluggers engage in a bloody confrontation from bell to bell, was adjudged by Ring Magazine as the second most dramatic bout of the year.

The Elorde Memorial Awards is presented by Johnny Elorde Management International and the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Foundation to honor top Filipino boxers and those who contributed to the promotion of professional boxing during the year.

"Major awards will also be presented to Filipino world, international and national champions, while special citations will be conferred on the year’s best promoter, best manager, trainer, referee and judge, most promising boxer and best fight of the year", according to Liza Elorde, daughter-in-law of the late Flash Elorde who is overseeing this event.

The Elorde clan, led by the legend’s wife Laura Elorde, will be on hand to present the various awards.

The event is sponsored by the Philippine Amusements & Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Smart, San Miguel Corp., Casa Belrina Travel, Johnson & Johnsons, Bai & Mig Party Favors and Elorde Sports Center.