Nietes joins boxing greats in Elorde annual awards

MANILA, Philippines - Donnie Nietes, one of three Filipino multi-division champions last year, will be honored as one of the boxers of the year during the 12th Elorde Boxing Awards/Banquet of Champions during the 77th birth anniversary of the former seven-time world junior lightweight champion on March 25 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

Nietes, the former undefeated minimumweight champion who defended his crown for a record four times, moved up last year to the light flyweight division where he wrested his second division crown with a unanimous decision over Ramon Garcia Hirales of Mexico in his hometown in Bacolod on Oct. 8, 2011.

With his title victory, Nietes (29 wins, 16 by KO, 1 loss, 3 draws) joined pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and WBO/WBC bantamweight ruler Nonito Donaire in the elite roster of multi-division title holders.

Before that, Nietes held the distinction as the longest tenured Filipino world title holder, having held the minimumweight diadem for more than three years, defending it for a record three times in Mexico against Mexican opponents.

He has also won 16 straight fights since a technical draw with Niño Suelo on July 30, 2005.

Nietes will occupy an honored place in the Elorde Banquet of Champions, joining the company of Pacquiao, Donaire, WBO flyweight king Brian Viloria and WBO female superbantamweight queen Ana Julaton.

The Elorde Boxing Awards, held for the 12th consecutive year in honor of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, the undefeated world junior lightweight champion for seven years from 1960 to 1967, will also give recognition to Filipino international and national champions and all individuals and institutions that have contributed to professional boxing in the past year.

Pacquiao will also receive a special citation for his service to his countrymen outside ring.

The Elorde Awards rites are sponsored by....