11th Elorde Awards fetes 50 champs in glitzy rites

MANILA, Philippines - Over 50 world, international and Philippine champions will be honored tonight during the 11th Gabriel ”Flash” Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions” at the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.

Boxing great Manny Pacquiao will lead the honorees as the “Quintessential Athlete” for his achievements in and outside the ring, while 2010 world champions Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes and Ana Julaton will be feted in the rites held in memory of seven-year junior lightweight champion and Hall of Famer Flash Elorde.

Pacquiao will also serve as guest of honor and speaker and will head the Banquet of Champions which will include 40 world and international champions – five each in the strawweight, lightflyweight, flyweight, superflyweight, bantamweight and superbantamweight, two each in the featherweight, superfeatherweight, lightweight and superlightweight, and 15 Filipino title holders.

Also joining the event are retired world champions led by Rene Barrientos, Erbito Salavaria and Rolando Navarette.

Julaton, the WBO super bantamweight queen, and WIBA minimumweight champion Gretchen Abaniel are the women honorees. 

The Johnny Elorde Management International and the Flash Elorde Foundation, led by Flash Elorde’s wife Laura, will also give recognition to amateur boxers Alice Kate Aparri, the 2010 World Championship bronze medalist, and Rey Saludar, the 2010 Asian Games gold medalist. 

WBA international and interim superflyweight champion Drian Francisco will be feted as the most promising boxer while the WBO youth superfeatherweight bout between Alan Tanada and Jose Ocampo in Cavite will be cited as best fight of 2010. 

International referee Carlos Padilla Jr. will receive a special citation – the Lope “Papa” Sarreal Milestone Achievement Award – for his accomplishments as third man in the ring.

Spicing up the event is the bout between Elorde’s grandson Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde and Thai Chainarong O.Wongsri in one of three preliminary matches before the awards rites.

Capping the fight card is the unification bout between WBC international champion Jonathan Taconing and WBC silver belt holder Lookdiew Tor Buamad of Thailand.

Laura Elorde will deliver the welcome remarks while Games and Amusements Board chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon will give the opening remarks.

The masters of ceremonies are Liza Elorde and Ted Lerner.