The Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions will be returning on March 25 with a trilogy for its 23rd anniversary at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
After three years of absence because of Covid-19 pandemic, the annual awards night will resume to honor the country’s top performing boxers from the amateur to the pro ranks from 2020 to 2022.
Johnny Elorde, one of seven children of the legendary boxer from Cebu, announced that eight-division world champion and former Senator Manny Pacquiao and four-weight division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will be feted with the Special Award of Distinction.
“After three years, we are finally back to recognize the accomplishments of upcoming boxing stars and current world champions,” said Elorde.
Liza Elorde, wife of Johnny, is head of the organizing committee.
A total of seven boxers have been chosen as boxers of the year led by IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero.
Also to be feted are 2021 WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero, Pedro Taduran, Rene Mark Cuarto, Mark Magsayo, Dave Apolinario and Vic Saludar.
The Elorde Awards will also honor amateur fighters who won medals in the Tokyo Olympics like Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio – both silver medalists – and bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial.
Other awards to be given are Fight of the Year, Most Promising Boxer, Best Manager, Best Trainer, Best Referee, Special Awards to benefactors and boxing’s most influential people, and best amateur fighters — and the 23 Philippine champions and 62 world/international/regional champions.
The first Elorde Awards started in 2000 at the historic Manila Hotel.
