Pacquiao inducted to Elorde Hall of Fame
WBC superfeatherweight champion Manny Pacquiao will be the first to be honored in the Elorde Hall of Fame tonight at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel in a lavish ceremony to be attended by President Arroyo.
The Chief Executive will also honor the best and brightest in Philippine professional boxing during the rites.
Pacquiao earned the right to be elevated to the Hall of Fame after being named boxer of the year for seven years, the same number of years the late Flash Elorde reigned as world champion. Elorde’s widow, Laura Elorde will assist President Arroyo in the induction ceremony.
The event is organized by Johnny Elorde Management International and the Elorde Foundation in cooperation with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Lonsdale, Department of Tourism (DOT), PCSO and Raymundo’s Trophies and Sculptures.
Also to be feted are Gerry Peñalosa, WBO bantamweight champion; Nonito Donaire, IBF superflyweight champion; Florante Condes, IBF minimumweight champion and Donnie Nietes, WBO minimumweight champion as Boxers of the Year.
Former WBA and WBC champion Luisito Espinosa, who flew in from
Trophies crafted after the image of Da Flash done by Raymundo’s Trophies will also be awarded to 33 world and international champions and 17 local titleholders.
The world/international champions are Ryan Bito, WBO intercontinental champion; Edrin Dapudong, WBO AsPac Youth; Milan Melindo, WBO AsPac; Juanito Rubillar, OPBF; Rexon Flores, WBO Intercontinental; Along Denoy, WBO AsPac; Jojo Bardon, OPBF; Drian Francisco, WBO AsPac; Javier Malulan, WBO AsPac Youth; AJ Banal, WBO AsPac; Z Gorres, IBF International; Rolly Lunas Matsushita, OPBF; Glenn Porras, WBO AsPac Youth; Robert Alannic, WBO AsPac; Bernabe Concepcion, WBC Youth; Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, WBO Intercontinental; Ariel Delgado, WBO ABCO; Glenn Gonzales, WBO AsPac Youth Interim; Jun Paderna, PABA; Jimrex Jaca, WBO AsPac; Amor Tino, WBO AsPac Youth; Randy Suico, OPBF; Dennis Laurente, PABA; Cesar Amonsot, WBO AsPac; Dodnon Sultan, WBF; Rev Santillan, OPBF; Gretchen Abaniel, WIBA Intercontinental and Geremie Tabastabas, WIBA World Youth.
The local champions are: Denver Cuello, Sonny Boy Jaro, Rocky Fuentes, Eden Sonsona, Michael Domingo, Alex Escaner, Jake Verano, Jun Talape, Vinvin Rufino, Dodie Boy Agrabio, Aaron Melgarejo, Junior Sollano, Mark Jason Melliguen and Arniel Tinampay.
The best fight of the year will be handed to Roky Fuentes and Danilo Lerio while the promising boxer award will be given to AJ Banal. Antonio Aldeguer will be honored as best promoter while Michael Aldeguer best manager; Edito Ala Villamor, best trainer; Ferdinand Estrella, best referee and Silvestre Abainza, best judge. Special Awards will be given to World Boxing Council to be received by OPBF president Frank Quill, Games and Amusements Board, Boxing judge Ricardo Canlas, Springboard Foundation and the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
Posthumous awardees are Leopoldo Correa, boxing manager; Felixberto Jardenil, matchmaker; Nolito Cabato, boxer and Igmedio Espinosa, trainer.
There will also be bouts during the rites. RP featherweight champion Vinvin Rufino will defend his crown against top challenger Jack Assis while PABA champion Dennis Laurente will fight Kongdhorani Por Surasak of Thailand. Tata Tacuning faces Joe Galamiton in a six-rounder while lady boxers Marnelle Verano fights Cheraly Dagit in four rounds.
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