THE GREATEST Filipino boxers who brought fame and glory to the Philippines in 2006 will be honored in the seventh Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions set March 25, marking the champ’s 72nd birth anniversary, at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat, Para?aque.
Fifteen national champions and 21 international titlists, led by six-time awardee Manny Pacquiao, will receive various categories of awards in the country’s most prestigious award for professional boxing held in memory of the world’s longest-reigning world junior lightweight champion.
Elorde, one of two Filipino boxers to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, had an uninterrupted reign of seven years, from 1960-67, to become the Philippines’ greatest boxing champion of all time.
The clan of Da Flash, led by his wife Laura and children, will present the awards in elaborate rites to be held for the first time in the champ’s home, the Elorde Sports Complex.
“This occasion will be special because it is the seventh year the awards are held in honor of Bai (Elorde), who was himself champion for seven years,” said Laura Elorde.
“This is the reason we are holding it in the Elorde Sports Complex, which not only attests to his success as a champion but, more importantly, continues to fulfill his cherished dreams of developing great Filipino champions,” she added.
“The Elorde family continues to uphold this tradition by giving recognition to outstanding Filipino boxers through the annual Elorde Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions,” Elorde said.
Son, Johnny and wife Liza, who are overseeing the preparations for this big event in cooperation with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Elorde Foundation, announced that for the first time, a Boxing Week which includes a series of sports activities will be held culminating in the awards night on March 25.
“We are seeking the help of the Para?aque City government to declare March 18-25 Boxing Week, through which we hope to highlight the achievements of our Filipino boxing champions,” Johnny said.
The week long program, starts with a fun run on March 18 by Filipino boxers and running enthusiasts. Other activities include a boxing clinic and a much-card boxing event where the champ’s grandson, who is also nicknamed Bai, will see action as a professional boxer.
Pacquiao, named top fighter of the year by various international media organizations last year, will lead the exclusive cast of champions to be honored along with outstanding referees, promoters, boxing managers, judges and outstanding fights and fighters who will be cited for their excellent performance during the year.
