Newly crowned World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the country tomorrow from his victorious campaign in the US in time for his induction into the Elorde Hall of Fame during the eighth Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Memorial Awards on March 25 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.
Pacquiao, fresh from his 12-round title win via a split decision over Mexican WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, is set to arrive at 6 a.m. from Los Angeles. President Arroyo will lead the induction rites for the boxing legend, who will be the first Filipino to be enshrined into the Elorde Boxing Hall of Fame, the ultimate award in Philippine professional boxing.
Pacquiao will be enshrined as a Hall of Famer, an honor given to a boxer who has received the Elorde boxer-of-the-year honors for seven years, the same number of years Flash Elorde reigned as world junior lightweight champion (1960-67).
Pacquiao will lead four others who share boxer-of-the-year honors in ceremonies which start at 6 p.m. They are champions Gerry Pe?alosa (WBO bantamweight), Nonito Donaire (IBF superflyweight), Florante Condes (IBF minimumweight) and Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight).
Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain will introduce President Arroyo while the late boxer?s wife Laura Elorde will deliver the welcome remarks. Masters of ceremonies are Liza Elorde and Ted Lerner.
Former WBC and WBA featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa, based in the US during the last 10 years, is also returning to the Philippines tomorrow to receive a long-overdue award as former world champion.
Also joining Pacquiao in the Elorde Banquet of Champions are 28 other world and international champions, including two in the distaff side, and 16 Philippine titleholders.
Also to be honored in the rites, hosted by the Elorde Foundation and Johnny Elorde Management International and sponsored by Pagcor, Lonsdale, the Department of Tourism (DOT), PCSO and Raymundo?s Trophies & Sculptures who especially crafted the trophies after the fighting pose of Flash Elorde are Antonio Aldeguer (best promoter), Michael Aldeguer (best manager), Edito Villamor (best trainer), Ferdinand Estrella (best referee), Silvestre Abainza (best judge) and AJ Banal (most promising boxer).
Special awards will also be given to the World Boxing Council and will be personally received by OPBF president Frank Quill, the Games and Amusements Board, the Philippine Sportswriters Association, Springboard Foundation and boxing judge Atty. Ricardo Canlas.
Posthumous awards will be bestowed on the late boxing manager Leopoldo Correa, boxing trainer Igmedio Espinosa, father of Luisito Espinosa, matchmaker Felixberto Jardenil and former Japan boxing champion Nolito Cabato.
