Champs to be honored in 2001 Elorde Awards

Filipino world and international champions from the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) will be feted in the second Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Banquet of Champions and Annual Awards set March 25 at the Hotel Intercontinental.

Johnny Elorde, son of the former world lightweight champion, said 14 Filipino champions, led by IBF titleholder Manny Pacquiao, ruled their respective divisions at certain periods in 2001.

They will be conferred awards during the traditional Annual Awards Night-Banquet of Champions held in memory of Hall of Famer Flash Elorde, the longest-reigning world junior lightweight champion who retained his crown from 1960 to 1967.

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona has been invited to confer the Boxer-of-the-Year Award on Pacquiao, who was IBF superbantamweight champion from June to December last year, and 13 other boxers who held the crown in their own divisions.

The champions, their divisions and the months they held their crown are:

Mini-flyweight (105 lbs) - Zarlit Rodrigo, WBC international (January), Ernesto Rubillar, WBC International (Feb. to Dec.)

Lightflyweight (108 lbs) - Juanito Rubillar, WBC International (Jan. to Dec.)

Flyweight (112 lbs) - Malcolm Tuñacao, WBC champion (Jan. to March), Randy Mangubat, WBC International (Jan. to Dec.)

Superflyweight (115 lbs) - Gerry Peñalosa, WBC International (Jan. to Dec.)

Bantamweight (118 lbs) - Jovy Chan Halog, WBC International (Jan. to Feb.), Jess Maca, OPBF champion (Jan. to Dec.), Ricky Gayamo, WBC International (Feb. to Aug.), Abner Cordero, WBC International (Aug. to Dec.)

Superbantamweight (122 lbs) - Manny Pacquiao, IBF champion (June to Dec.)

Superfeatherweight (130 lbs) - Tiger Ari, OPBF champion (Jan. to Dec.)

Lightweight (135 lbs) - Dennis Laurente, OPBF champion (Nov. to Dec.)

Welterweight (147 lbs) - Rev Santillan, OPBF champion (March to Dec.)