Elorde Annual Awards tonight

The Second Flash Elorde Boxing Annual Awards gets underway tonight with 14 world and international champions, led by Boxer of the Year Manny Pacquiao, and 18 Philippine champions the main honorees in formal ceremonies at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel InterContinental.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez and Laura Elorde, wife of the former world junior champion in whose memory the awards are given, will present the top award to Pacquiao, the International Boxing Federation world superbantamweight champion in 2001 during ceremonies to be attended by officials of the Games and Amusements Board, sport celebrities, boxing champions, officials and patrons.

Gerry Peñalosa, the WBC International superflyweight champion in 2001, leads the year’s world and international champions who will receive major awards.

Also to receive the major awards are 18 Philippine champions led by superflyweight Randy Suico, lightweight Dennis Laurente and superflyweight Dindo Castanares who retained their title for 12 months in 2001.

Former WBA bantamweight and WBC featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa, former WBC and WBA flyweight titleholder Erbito Salavarria and former IBF miniflyweight king Eric Chavez will receive their awards as former champions.

Jose Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, leads honorees of special awards for his and the WBC’s contribution to world boxing, while Emilio Pascual, 75, the grand old man of boxing who trained world champions, will receive a special citation.

The Elorde Awards will also give recognition to the best fight of 2001, the WBC international championship bout between Abner Cordero and Joel Junio on Dec. 22 last year in Pampanga.

The Awards Night will be telecast on IBC-13 Wednesday, at 7 p.m., with replay on April 1. Hosts are sportscaster Joaquin Henson and Liza Vicencio Elorde.

Rare memorabilia of the late Elorde, the longest-reigning world junior lightweight champion – from 1960-67 – will be displayed at the entrance of the Grand Ballroom.

The Elorde Awards Night, hosted by the Johnny Elorde Management International and Gabriel Flash Elorde Foundation, is sponsored by Family Rubbing Alcohol, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Centrum, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., Philippine Airlines, Thunderbird Power Feeds, Elorde Sporting Goods International and BAI and MIG Party Favors.