Padilla gets milestone award in Elorde rites

MANILA, Philippines - Former international referee Carlos “Sonny” Padilla, who worked a number of world championship bouts, including the Thrilla in Manila in 1975, will receive the Lope “Papa” Sarreal Milestone Award for his outstanding performance as third man in the ring in the 11th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.

Padilla, father of singer-actress Zsa Zsa and grandfather of rising star Karylle, officiated the championship fights of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Alexis Arguello, Salvador Sanchez, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, George Foreman, Ken Norton, Tommy Hearns, Wilfred Benitez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Hector Camacho and other world champions.

The last bout he officiated was Manny Pacquiao’s 10th round stoppage of Nedal Hussein of Australia in Antipolo in 2000.

Padilla, 75, will be the first recipient of the Lope “Papa” Sarreal Milestone Achievement Award, given in honor of the country’s boxing patron and world-renowned boxing promoter who managed the career of Flash Elorde.

The awards rites, held in memory of Flash Elorde on the occasion of his 76th birth anniversary, will honor Manny Pacquiao as “Quintessential Athlete” and Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes and Ana Julaton as Boxers of the Year in 2010.

Others to be honored in the event staged by the Johnny Elorde Management International and the Elorde Sports Foundation are top honorees Michael Aldeguer (promoter), Elmer Anuran (manager), Buboy Fernandez (trainer), Silvestre Abainza (referee) and Rey Danseco (judge).

The WBO youth superfeatherweight bout between Alan Tanada and Jose Ocampo on Aug. 7, 2010 in Tanza, Cavite and promoted by Sammy Gello-Ani has been adjudged best fight of the year, while Drian Francisco, the WBA international and interim superflyweight champion, is the year’s most improved boxer.

Special awards will be given to Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar of Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party List, Freddie Roach, Cobra Energy Drink and Thai promoter Naris Singwangcha.

On the Honor Roll of former champions are Allan Alegria, former RP jr welterweight and welterweight champion in the 1980s and 90s, and 1994 Asian Games gold medalist Elias Recaido. Best fighters in the amateur division are Alice Kate Aparri, bronze medalist in the 2010 World Women’s Championship in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Rey Saludar, Asian Games gold medalist in Guangzhou, China.

Others to be cited are the TV program Rod Nazario’s In This Corner and boxing judges Danrex Tapdasan and Edward Ligas.

The awards rites are supported by Rep. Sambar and co-presented by Cobra Energy Drink, Sanicare Kitchen Towels, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Phils), Inc., Contour Splinting Services, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, SMART, International Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Prestige Poker Sport Club, Southpaw Bar and Grill and the Elorde Gyms. For more information please call 825-0625; 826-4463; 0922-8507174 or 0916-2423657.