INSIDE SPORTS - THE 13TH ELORDE AWARDS NIGHT SHOULD BE MEMORABLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Mar 2013
As a passionate boxing fan, both amateur and professional, we enjoy attending the Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Annual Awards and Banquet of Champions held in honor of one of our greatest champions of all-time, a beloved friend and an extraordinary human being.
Each year Liza Elorde works tirelessly along with husband Johnny Elorde and the rest of the Elorde clan headed by the matriarch herself, Laura Elorde, to put on a show worthy of the revered name of ?Flash? Elorde. They outdo themselves with a classy presentation at the grand ballroom of one of our leading five star hotels which, without exception, is filled to capacity with distinguished guests, great boxers from years gone by and the young men who carry our nation?s flag with distinction in the international arenas of today.
We are glad that Liza Elorde chose eight division world champion and one of the greatest fighters of all-time, Congressman Manny Pacquiao, to be the special guest of honor at this year?s rites on March 25 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza ballroom.
While the awards night falls during the period of national elections Liza, very correctly, didn?t wish to invite a politician as guest of honor and instead chose Pacquiao.It makes sense.
For one, Manny is running unopposed and he is not your usual run-of-the mill politician. He is, first and foremost, a champion and crossover superstar who has endeared himself to millions of his countrymen not merely because of his achievements in the ring but his concern for the poor and his remarkable humility ? traits long associated with ?Flash? Elorde.
Beyond that Pacquiao must be acknowledged and commended for paving the way and opening doors for young Filipino fighters from poor families who strive to emulate his achievements and in so doing improve the quality of life of their immediate families.
We gather that Pacquiao, obviously in the twilight of his illustrious career, wanted to talk to the fighters and this indeed provides a glorious opportunity for him to reach out to our boxers and to articulate his thoughts on the values and virtues that are essential in a fiercely competitive sport and to make them understand and appreciate the importance of humility.
In many respects the choice of WBO/Ring and WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire to be the first Pinoy boxer to receive the coveted Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Memorial Belt is in itself fitting.
We recall that a few years ago Nonito and his wife Rachel visited our home for lunch during which he expressed a desire to see some of our precious fights of Elorde in our library.
Donaire watched intently, tried to duplicate the way Elorde moved and rolled his shoulder to avoid an opponent?s punches and told us then that Elorde was one of his heroes and his goal is to become world junior lightweight champion just like ?Flash? Elorde.
The reigning four division world champion has that high water mark within his reach and should, unless something unforeseen happens, fulfill his dream and our nation's hopes.
If Donaire does succeed, we sense that Elorde would be extremely happy because nothing pleased him more than to see young Filipinos succeed in a sport where he was one of the first to show the way and to shine like a beacon among the heroes of our time.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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