Manila, Philippines – Eight-time division world champion Manny Pacquiao will be the guest of honor and speaker in the 17th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions on Saturday at the Tent of the Manila Hotel.
Pacquiao, now a senator, will also lead the awardees in the annual awards night that will also honor new bantamweight titleholder Marlon Tapales, IBF flyweight king Johnriel Casimero, and IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas as Boxers of the Year for 2016.
The Awards Night will also give recognition and honor to foreign, regional, and local champions to coincide with the 82nd birth anniversary of Da Flash, the undisputed world junior lightweight champion from 1960-67.
Pacquiao, who was elevated to the Elorde Hall of Fame in 2012 is to receive an Award of Distinction together with Donnie Nietes, also an Elorde Hall of Famer in 2015.
Another highlight of the event is the casting of fists of Pacquiao, former WBO bantamweight titlist Gerry Peñalosa, former WBC lightweight champion Rolando Pascua, former IBF world super flyweight titleholder Tacy Macalos, and former IBF world flyweight king Dodie Boy Peñalosa.
Laura Elorde, wife of Flash Elorde, will lead the presentation of major awards as well special citations to the best promoter (Jim Claude Manangquil), best referee (Danrex Tapdasan), best trainer (Jhun Agrabio), most promising boxer (Aston Palicte, WBO Oriental and IBF Superflyweight champion) and the best fight of the year between Kenny Demecillo and Rambo Lagos for the WBF Asia bantamweight championship on July 30, 2016 in Cebu).
Carlo Paalam, bronze medalist in the AIBA World Youth Championship, will also be honored as the best amateur fighter.
