Pro, amateur boxing spices up Elorde rites

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing matches featuring amateur and pro fighters from the Philippines and Thailand will spice up the ninth Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards – Banquet of Champions at the Manila Hotel Tent City March 25 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The matches are the sidelights of the annual Elorde Boxing Awards, held to pay tribute to Filipino world, international and national champions on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of Da Flash, the greatest junior lightweight champion (1960-67) of all time.

The annual event, sponsored by PAGCOR, SMART, Alaxan, Tanduay and Family Rubbing Alcohol, will honor Manny Pacquiao as the best Pound for Pound Boxer of the World and will elevate posthumously Pancho Villa, the world flyweight champion during the 1920’s, to the Elorde Hall of Fame.

Villa is the second boxer to be elevated to the prestigious boxing award body after Pacquiao was enshrined last year.

The Elorde clan, which is hosting the awards, recently partnered with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) and SMART Communications to present a dual match between the country’s top amateur fighters and former national youth champions of Thailand.

Amateur standouts and medalists seeing action are Bill Vicera vs Surapun Srimuang at 48 kgs., Francis Palicte against Kriangkrai Kaewnongsamed at 51 kgs., Charly Suarez vs Ekkawong Sangrueang at 57 kgs. and top female fighter Annie Albania vs Ratree Krongkarp at 54 kgs.

Pro fights will feature the first world female championship fight in the Philippines between Gretchen Abaniel and Nongbua Lookprai Aree for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) minimumweight crown.

In the supporting mainer, RP featherweight champion Vinvin Rufino defends his title against top challenger Jaime Barcelona, while Juan Miguel Elorde, grandson of the late Flash Elorde, battles Ronilo Romasanta for four rounds and Joram Ballar faces Elmar Francisco in a six-round bout.

Businessman-promoter Johnny Elorde, who is overseeing preparations for the event, said the amateur bouts were approved by ABAP.

The young Elorde, a former amateur SEA Games gold medalist himself, said the amateur bouts, which will be featured for the first time during the annual awards rites, will give the fighters good exposure.

Those interested to watch the fights and meet the champion boxers may call tel. Nos. 8264463 or 825065 and 09175330459 for details.