SIX WORLD CHAMPS HONORED

FLASH ELORDE

SIX world champions in five weight divisions led by World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title holder Manny Pacquiao, will be the major honorees in the 10th Gabriel `Flash’ Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions slated March 25 at the Harbour Tent of the Sofitel Hotel.

To be feted in the rites held in memory of the 25th death and 75th birth anniversaries of `Da Flash’ are Donnie Nietes (WBO strawweight) Brian Viloria (International Basketball Federation light-flyweight), Nonito Donaire (IBF flyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO Oriental and WBO flyweight) and Gerry Penalosa (WBO bantamweight).

Pacquiao scored a 12-round stoppage of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to snatch the WBO 147-pound belt for his seventh world title in seven different weight classes.

Nietes, 28, defended his title twice last year against Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas, while Viloria dethroned Mexican Ulises Solis and then successfully defended his title against Jesus Iribe.

Donaire stopped Raul Martinez in the fourth round to retain his crown and then went up at super-flyweight and scored a decision over Rafael Concepcion, even as Marvin Sonsona won over Jose Lopez to become one of the youngest world champions, only to relinquish it later after failing to meet the weight in his title defense against Alejandro Hernandez.

Penalosa was the WBO bantamweight champion until he decided to fight Juan Manuel Lopez, and lost via a 10th round technical knockout.

The boxing award is presented by Johnny Elorde Management International and the Elorde Sports Foundation in cooperation with PAGCOR, Smart, Tanduay, Sofitel Hotel, Elorde gyms & Southpaw Bar and Grill.

The event will also have a special significance since half a century ago, Elorde began his seven-year reign as junior lightweight champion after stopping Harold Gomes on March 16, 1960 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Elorde would make 10 straight title defense.