By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The 6th Annual Gabriel “Flash” Elorde awards night titled “Banquet of Champions” at the Dusit Hotel Niko Saturday evening was a smashing success with every seat taken in the ballroom and boxing luminaries in abundance led by Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao and WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria.
Adding a touch of greatness to the occasion was the presence of celebrated trainer of champions Freddie Roach who received a special award and the amiable Garry Gittelsohn, the manager of Viloria.
As Philippine boxing rides the crest of the remarkable achievements of Pacquiao who has inspired a whole new breed of talented young boxers to demonstrate their skill and courage in the boxing rings of America, the presence of former champions including those from the glorious era when Elorde reigned as world junior lightweight champion for nearly seven-and-a-half years added a touching dimension to the proceedings.
76 year old Tanny Campo, who lost to Elorde twice as a bantamweight and in May 1953 lost a unanimous 15 round decision to the great Yoshio Shirai in a flyweight title fight was in attendance and so was lightweight Tommy Romulo who lost his title to Elorde by a unanimous decision in March 1957 after an earlier loss in August 1954 and holding Elorde to a draw over ten rounds in Davao in March 1952. Both men who fought Elorde before he became world champion were honored while past world champions present included the “Bad Boy From Dadiangas” Rolando Navarette, Rene Barrientos, the stylish southpaw who won the WBC junior lightweight title like Elorde and Navarette and former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa as well as former WBC flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who was himself an undefeated amateur champion was guest of honor. In his remarks Ermita praised Pacquiao for his efforts to unite the country even as he expressed the hope that, inspired by the example of our fighters the politicians would unite and help move the country forward.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman in his message praised Elorde as “one of the greatest boxers in the history of our sport in the world” even as he referred to “the greatness in the ring” of Pacquiao and Viloria and cited them as “an example to follow by the so many boxers born and produced by one of the boxing capitals of the world as the Philippines has continued to be for ages.”
Pacquiao was unquestionably the star of the show and his new-found confidence and style in handling himself was evident. He mingled with countless fans, signed autographs, posed for pictures and gave endless TV interviews. When it t was time to receive his handsome trophy and 18-karat gold ring as “Boxer of the Year” from the widow of the late “Flash” Elorde, Ms. Laura Elorde, Pacquiao received standing ovation and when the big screen showed highlights of his battle with Erik Morales the crowd still lapped it up for the umpteenth time and applauded with fervor.
The husband and wife team of Johnny and Liza Elorde who every year put their heart and soul into an event inspired by their respect and affection for “Flash” Elorde said there is a possibility that the 7th Annual Awards would be staged in Cebu since Elorde was born in Bogo, Cebu.
Gittelsohn put it aptly when he said “ this is a tremendous affair. The people are incredible, the warmth is something I have never experienced before and of course the Elorde name is golden internationally and to have Brian linked to an event like this is heartwarming to me ."
