MANILA, Philippines ? Boxing great Manny Pacquiao will lead a host of current and past Filipino champions in the 11th Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions set March 25 at 5 p.m. at the grand ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
Joining Pacquiao are current world/international and Philippine champions, including Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire, Drian Francisco, Silvestre Lopez, AJ Banal, Jonathan Taconing as well as former champions.
?Every year, we look forward to bringing in together past and present champions in the Elorde Banquet of Champions. This is a grand reunion of the best we had the past year and past champions still alive,? said Laura Elorde, wife of the boxing legend and international; boxing Hall of Famer whose 73rd birth anniversary will be celebrated on March 25.
Pacquiao has already been elevated to the Elorde Hall of Fame when he became Boxer of the Year for seven consecutive years.
The Elorde clan said the annual award is given to a seven-year champion in recognition of the seven-year reign of Da Flash who was world junior lightweight champion for a record seven consecutive years from 1960.
However, Pacquiao will be given recognition as the first fighter to have eight world championships in eight different divisions.
The event is organized by the Johnny Elorde Management International and the Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Foundation in coordination with co-presenter Cobra Energy Drink, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Smart, Samsung, Alaxan and the Elorde Gyms.
One of the highlights of the event is a big boxing promotion which features the unification bout of WBC international junior flyweight champion Jonathan Taconing and WBC silver belt champion Lookdiew Tor Buamad of Thailand.
