In a gesture that clearly recognizes President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?s support and concern for Manny Pacquiao and the flamboyant Filipino southpaw?s acknowledgment of the President?s gracious support through the years, Ring Magazine editor in chief Nigel Collins plans to present the prestigious magazine?s featherweight championship belt to Pacquiao during a courtesy call on President Arroyo at Malaca?ang.
Collins is scheduled to arrive on Friday night for a short visit during which he will also pay his respects to the first Filipino world champion, flyweight Pancho Villa, by visiting his grave at the North Cemetery and calling on Laura Elorde, widow of the late great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for nearly seven and a half years. Both fighters received Ring Magazine?s championship belt during their time.
Laura recalled that the founder of Ring Magazine and long-time editor Nat Fleischer called on Elorde and good friend and ?Grand Old Man? of Philippine boxing Lope ?Papa? Sarreal during his visit to Manila in the mid-?50s.
