World champs feted at Elorde rites tonite

MANILA, Philippines — Three world champions of 2017 will receive the highest recognition as Boxers of the Year in the 18th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions tonight at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Hotel Manila.

IBF world superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, IBF world light flyweight titleholder Milan Melindo and WBO world bantamweight king Marlon Tapales will receive boxing’s highest accolade in the annual rites coinciding with the 83rd birth anniversary of Da Flash, the first Filipino boxer to be inducted into the World and International Hall of Fame.

Another highlight of the rites is the casting of the fists of former WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, and WBA world welterweight titleholder  Bernabe Villacampo. Pacquiao will also be the guest of honor and speaker.

Thirty-nine international and regional champions and nine Philippine boxing kings will go on stage to receive major awards to be presented by Laura Elorde, wife of the boxing legend who was world junior lightweight champion from 1960-67 and in whose memory  the awards are conferred.

Awards will also be presented to the best promoter, judge, referee, trainer, most promising boxer and best fight of the year, top amateur boxer as well as posthumous awards and special citations to boxing personalities and institutions that have contributed to Philippine pro boxing in 2017.

The program starts at 5 p.m. with a triple main event featuring Giemel Magramo vs Michael Bravo for the WBO Oriental flyweight championship and Casey Morton of Hawaii vs Nongmuay Kokietgym of Thailand for the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight (female)  championship. Jonathan Taconing, WBC International Champion will also see action against Robert Onggocan, the IBF youth flyweight champion.

After the boxing bouts, the Banquet of Champions continues with Laura Elorde delivering the opening address and Games and Amusement Board chairman Abraham Khalil Mitra making the opening remarks.

Program hosts are Liza Vicencio Elorde and Ted Lerner.

Tickets with dinner are available at the entrance.

Details: No. 09390617319; 09297890989; 09172504156 or 8250625 (Beth or Mhay).