Women's title match featured in Elorde annual awards

MANILA, Philippines - A women’s world boxing championship fight will be featured in the main event of a boxing card dubbed “Duel at the Tent ” at the annual Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing awards, Banquet of Champions, on March 25 at the Manila Hotel Tent City starting at 5:30 p.m.

The event, which gives recognition to the best and brightest in Philippine professional boxing, will also hold amateur fights featuring the country’s top fighters against former national youth champions of Thailand. The fights will be presented in between the awarding ceremonies.

Gretchen “Chen Chen” Abaniel, the most outstanding Filipina pro boxer who is also a recipient of a major award, will fight battle-tested Nongbua Lookprai Aree of Thailand for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) World Minimumweight title.

Abaniel, 22, who hails from Puerto Princesa, will be cheered at ringside by no less than Mayor Edward Hagedorn who has been giving full support to Abaniel since she started boxing professionally.

Also to be staged is the defense of Vinvin Rufino of his featherweight crown against top contender Jaime Barcelona in the supporting mainer sponsored by Pagcor, Family Rubbing Alcohol, Lonsdale and PCSO.

Juan Miguel Elorde, grandson of Flash Elorde, will go up against Ronilo Romasanta in the other fight.

The Philippines versus Thailand amateur fights, presented by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) headed by president Ricky Vargas and Smart and in cooperation with promoter Johnny Elorde, will pit Bill Vicera against Surapun Srimuang at 48 kgs., Francis Palicte versus Kriangkrai Kaeuunongsamat at 51 kgs., Charley Suarez against Ekkawong Sangrueang and Annie Albania versus Ratree Krongkarp.

“This will be a good exposure and preparation for our Filipino amateur fighters. I know thousands will be watching this,“ Vargas said. “I am happy that the Elordes are also supporting amateur boxing,” he added. 

The Banquet of Champions will give recognition to Manny Pacquiao as the Pound for Pound Boxer of the World and will elevate posthumously Pancho Villa in the Elorde Hall of Fame with IBF Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire, WBO Bantamweight Champion Gery Penalosa and WBO Minimumweight Champion Donnie Nietes as Boxers of the Year . Other awards to be given are Best Promoter-Michael Aldeguer, Best Manager - Aljo Jaro, Best Trainer-Restituro “Buboy” Fernandez, Best Referee-Antonio Pesons, Best Judge-Silvestre Abainza, Most Promising Boxer-Milan Melindo and Best Fight of the Year - Sonny “Boy” Jaro and Along Denoy for the OPBF Lighflywt. Championship. Former 1964 Olympics Silver Medalist Anthony Villanueva will be given an honor roll recognition while his father former 1936 Olympics Bronze medalist Cely Villanueva will be posthumously honored. Amateur standout Harry Tanamor will also be awarded for capturing the gold medal at the World Cup in Russia. Special Awards will go to Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Gov. Raul Daza, Dr. Ed De la Vega and Gene Del Bianco while citations will be handed to Rey Danseco, Philboxing, Aquilino Nicholas, Jr. and David Young. For those interested to watch the fights and the awards night, please contact 8264463 or 8250625 and 09175330459.