Julaton, Abaniel feted in Elorde rites

MANILA, Philippines - Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton and Gretchen Abaniel will be the women honorees in an honor roll dominated by over 50 male world and international boxing champions in the 11th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Annual Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Sofitel Hotel.

The 30-year-old Julaton, who is based in San Francisco, California, won the vacant World Boxing Organization 122-pound crown on a split 10-round decision over Mexico’s Maria Elena Villalobos in Ontario, Canada last June.

In September 2009, two years after she turned pro under trainer Freddie Roach, she wrested the vacant International Boxing Association super bantamweight title in a fight against Kessley”The Road Warrior” Jeffries.

Abaniel lived up to her potential by winning the Women’s International Boxing Association minimum weight title with a lopsided 10-round decision over Thai fighter Nongbua Lookprai Aree at the ninth Flash Elorde Memorial Awards at the Tent of the Manila Sofitel Hotel.

Last year, Abaniel, then 25, returned to the annual awards rites to score a 10-round unanimous decision over Fahpratan Looksaikongdin of Thailand. In October of the same year, she retained her title with a unanimous decision over Nongbua at the Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Center. She improved to 9-2-0 (win-loss-draw).

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, the first to be inducted into the Elorde Hall of Fame with his seven titles in seven divisions in 2009, will lead the honorees as a special awardee for earning his eighth crown in as many weight divisions.

Pacquiao, who is in deep training for his forthcoming bout in May, will be the guest of honor and speaker during the annual rites, held in honor of Da Flash, who reigned as world junior lightweight champion from 1960 to 1967.

High in the list of 2010 honorees are Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire, Drian Francisco, Silvestre Lopez and AJ Banal.

Joining them in the Elorde Banquet of Champions are former boxing greats Roland Navarette, Rene Barrientos, Pretty Boy Lucas, Bernabe Villacampo and the Peñalosa brothers Gerry, Dodie Boy and Jonathan.

The event is organized by the Johnny Elorde Management International and the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Foundation in coordination with co-presentor Cobra Energy Drink, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, SMART, Samsung, and the Elorde Gyms.