Tapales, two others share Elorde award

MANILA, Philippines -  Reigning world bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales, who rose from a knockdown twice in the fifth round to knock out defending champion Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand on the 11th round, will receive the highest honor in pro boxing as co-winner of the Boxing of the Year award during the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at The Tent of the Manila Hotel.

It was Tapales first world title as he improved to 29-2-0 with 12 knockouts while Pungluang, who lost the title on his second defense, fell to his fourth loss against 52 wins with 35 KOs.

Tapales will join fellow Boxer of the Year awardees IBF world champion Johnriel Casimero and IBF World superflyweight king Jerwin Ancajas who will lead honorees  in the Elorde rites and Banquet of Champions.

Elorde Hall of Fame honorees Manny Pacquiao, the current WBO World welterweight champion, and Donnie Nietes, the WBO world lightweight champion,  will be honored with an Award of Distinction.

The other major highlight of the Elorde Awards, to be presented by the Elorde family led by Da Flash’s wife Laura, is the casting of the fists, a ceremonial casting of the fists of current and former Filipino world champions still alive. They will form part of a rich, extensive collection of memorabilia of Filipino greats.