Pacman, 2 others enshrined to immortality in ‘casting’

Former multi-division champions Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire and former world welterweight titleholder Bernabe Villacampo will be enshrined to immortality in the “Casting of the Fist”, one of the highlights of the 18th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Grandballroom of the Okada Manila.

Pacquiao, Donaire and Villacampo are among former champions still alive who will join former titlists whose fists had already been cast in previous Elorde awards rites.

They are former WBC junior bantamweight/WBO bantamweight titlist Gerry Peñalosa, former WBC jr. lightweight champion Rolando Navarrete, former WBC light flyweight champion Rolando Pascua, former WBC jr. lightweight champion Rene Barrientos, former IBF world super flyweight titleholder Tacy Macalos, former IBF junior flyweight and flyweight king Dodie Boy Peñalosa and current WBO champion Donnie Nietes.

“Every year we produce world champions in various divisions of the six world boxing organizations. The annual Elorde Awards seeks to immortalize them through the casting of the fist,” said Laura Elorde, wife of the boxing legend, who is producing the show together with Johnny Elorde Management International, the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Foundation, COBRA, Siked Up Sports Apparel, Omega Pain Killer, Southpaw Bar & Grill and the Elorde Sports Center.