Harold “Chubby” Gomes, the world junior lightweight champion from whom Gabriel “Flash” Elorde won the title before thirty thousand wildly cheering Filipinos via a smashing seventh round knockout at the inauguration of the Araneta Coliseum on March 16, 1960 is arriving for the Annual Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Dusit Hotel ballroom.
The 70 year old Gomes confirmed his appearance as special guest in an overseas telephone conversation with Johnny Elorde who is organizing the annual affair at 4:00 a.m. yesterday. Gomes called Elorde from his home in Providence, Rhode Island where he is a licensed boxing judge and referee, said he was” very excited to visit the Philippines”. In fact Gomes said he would bring along his wife, two daughters and a granddaughter for what promises to be a historic affair.
Gomes made special mention of Jorge “Nene” Araneta whose late father J. Amado Araneta, one of the most respected businessmen in the counmtry, built the Big Dome in time for the world title fight and said he “wanted very much” to meet the Araneta family which includes Nene?s wife, former international beauty queen Stella Marquez Araneta.
