Pacquiao, world champs feted in Elorde rites today

MANILA, Philippines - Five world champions, led by pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, head a roster of boxing stars including 19 Philippine champions and 46 regional and international titleholders in the 12th Flash Elorde Boxing Awards/Banquet of Champions today at the Dusit Thani Hotel.

Pacquiao will be honored with a special award along with WBC/WBO bantamweight ruler Nonito Donaire, WBO flyweight king Brian Viloria, WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes and WBO female super bantamweight queen Ana Julaton in the annual awards rites, pro boxing’s highest tribute to Filipino boxers.

The WBO welterweight champion, who has held world titles in eight weight divisions, will be honored for his outreach program outside the ring.

Pacquiao will also be the guest speaker in the annual rites held on the occasion of the 77th birth anniversary of Flash Elorde, who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven straight years from 1960 and became the country’s first inductee in prestigious International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The event, presented in cooperation with Cobra Energy Drink, PCSO, Smart, Colgate, Sanicare, Procter & Gamble and Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party list, starts at 4:30 p.m. with four preliminary boxing matches including the first title bout for the Phl Bantamweight championship between Monico Laurente and Rey Las Piñas.

This will be followed during the program with another title bout pitting Dennis Laurente who will defend his Philippine welterweight crown against Eusebio Baluarte. WBC International light flyweight champion Jonathan Taconing will also appear in a tune-up fight against Samuel Apuya.