Top Phl boxers feted tonite in Elorde Memorial Awards
The Philippines’ reigning world champions in 2016 will receive the highest recognition in professional boxing, leading a roster of 14 Philippine champions and 43 regional and international titleholders from the world’s major boxing organizations in the 17th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions today, starting at 5 p.m., at The Tent of the Manila Hotel.
In formal rites promoted by Johnny Elorde Management International in cooperation with Cobra, Omega Pain Killer, the Elorde Sports Center, Southpaw Bar & Grill, and Hapee Toothpaste, the top awardees, who will receive the highest honors as Boxers of the Year are new WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales, IBF flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero and IBF super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas.
The awardees belong to Class of 2016 who will occupy an honored place in the Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions held in memory of Flash Elorde, the world and international Hall of Fame awardee who reigned as undisputed world junior lightweight champion for seven consecutive years since 1960.
Awards of Distinction will be given this year to eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and undefeated three-division champion Donnie Nietes. The award is conferred for the first time to Pacquiao and Nietes, who continue as world champions after being inducted into the Elorde Hall of Fame for their uninterrupted seven-year reign as world champions.
Also a highlight of the evening is the casting of the fists of current and former world champions.
The awards rites will start promptly after the preliminary boxing bouts dubbed “Boxing Kontra Droga”, featuring the WBC international minimum weight championship between Jay Loto of Johnny Elorde Stable and Lito Dante of the Vilma Verbo Stable. Supporting bout will feature WBC Int’l champion Jonathan Taconing versus Indonesian Faris Nggenggo.
Laura Elorde, wife of Flash Elorde, will deliver the welcome address, while Abraham Khalil Mitra, chairman of the Games and Amusements Board, will deliver the opening remarks. Guest of Honor and Speaker will be Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Masters of ceremony are Liza Vicencio Elorde and Ted Lerner.