Pacquiao, Viloria lead Elorde awardees tonite

People’s champion Manny Pacquiao and World Boxing Council flyweight champion Brian Viloria will lead international and Philippine champions who will be honored during the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Awards tonight at the ballroom of the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati.

Pacquiao will receive Philippine boxing’s highest accolade as "Boxer of the Year" while Viloria will be honored with the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Golden Belt in ceremonies coinciding with the 71st birth anniversary of Flash Elorde, in whose honor the awards are presented. Together with the huge cup that Pacquiao will receive, an 18-carat gold ring will also be given to him by the Elorde family.

Johnny and Liza Elorde, who are overseeing this prestigious event together with the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Foundation are presenting the awards for the sixth straight year to honor world, international and Philippine professional boxing champions as well as sports personalities who contributed to the promotion of pro boxing in the past year.

The event, also dubbed the Flash Elorde Banquet of Champions, is sponsored by Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Smart, San Miguel Corporation, Univet, Casa Belrina Travel, Johnson & Johnson, RALPH’s, Porong Paki, Elorde Sports Center, Bai & Mig Party Favors, and Elorde Sphere Gym.

Other world/international champions who will receive major awards are miniflyweights Rodel Mayol (OPBF) and Jun Arlos (WBE) junior flyweights Rexon Flores (WBO Asia-Pacific) and Bert Batawang (WBA Pan African) flyweight Celso Danggod (WBE), WBF International superflyweight Gerry Peñalosa, bantamweights Malcolm Tunacao (OPBF), Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista (WBO Asia Pacific) and Joel Escol (IBF Asia Pacific), superbantamweight Pederito Laurente (PABA International), featherweight Czar Amonsot (WBO Asia Pacific), superfeatherweights Randy Suico (OPBF) and Baby Lorona Jr. (WBE), lightweight Dennis Laurente (OPBF), superlightweight Dindo Castanares (WBF) and welterweight Rev Santillan (OPBF).