Pacquiao guest of honor in Elorde Awards

MANILA, Philippines -  Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will be the guest of honor and speaker in the 17th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions set  Saturday at the Tent of the Manila Hotel.

Pacquiao, now a senator, will also lead the awardees in the annual awards night, which will also honor three reigning world champions as Boxers of the Year in the Class of 2016 – Marlon Tapales, the new bantamweight titleholder, Johnriel Casimero, the IBF flyweight king, and Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF super flyweight champion.

International, regional and Philippine champions will also be honored in the rites  coinciding with the 82nd birth anniversary of Da Flash, the undisputed world junior lightweight champion from 1960-67.

Pacquiao, who was elevated to the Elorde Hall of Fame in 2012, is to receive an Award of Distinction together with Donnie Nietes also an Elorde Hall of Famer in 2015. Pacquiao is expected to talk about his plans of putting up a Philippine Boxing Commission that will finally take care of the boxers’ health and insuring the safety of the sports.

One of the highlights of the event is the casting of the fist of Pacquiao as well as former WBO bantamweight titlist Gerry Peñalosa, former WBC lightweight champion Rolando Pascua, former IBF world super flyweight titleholder Tacy Macalos and former IBF world flyweight king Dodie Boy Peñalosa.

Laura Elorde, wife of  Flash Elorde, will lead the presentation of major awards as well  as special citations to the best promoter (Jim Claude Manangquil), best referee (Danrex Tapdasan), best trainer (Jhun Agrabio), most promising boxer (Aston Palicte, WBO Oriental and IBF Superflyweight  champion) and the best fight of the year between Kenny Demecillo and Rambo Lagos for the WBF Asia bantamweight championship on July 30, 2016 in Cebu.

To be honored as best male amateur fighter is Carlo Paalam, bronze medalist in the AIBA World Youth Championship.

The late Ronnie Nathanielsz, a noted trimedia writer, commentator and analyst who covered almost all important boxing bouts including those of Flash Elorde and Pacquiao and the Thrilla in Manila, and fellow journalist Hermie Rivera will be given posthumous awards. 

Special awards will be presented to WBO vice president Leon Panoncillo  while citations will  be given to Naris Singwancha, Contour Rehabilitation and Wellness, Rotary Club Manila Premier and Manila Hotel.

This Banquet of Champions is sponsored by Cobra Hapee Toothpaste, Elorde Boxing Gyms, Contour Rehabilitation & Wellness,  Elorde Sports Center, Southpaw Bar & Grill, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Cast and Frame and Bai & Mig Party Favors.

For information and ticket reservations for the Awards Night please call 09390617319, 09172504156 and 8250625. Look for Beth or Liza.