Ancajas leads Elorde honorees; Pacquiao main guest speaker

Jerwin Ancajas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

World champion Jerwin Ancajas heads the honorees in the 18th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Awards and Banquet of Champions Sunday night at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Hotel Manila.

Ancajas, who is slated to make his fifth defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight title against countryman Jonas Sultan in May, along with former IBF light flyweight titlist Milan Melindo and former World Boxing Organization bantamweight king Marlon Tapales will be feted as Boxers of the Year for 2017.

Melindo yielded his title to Ryoichi Taguchi by unanimous decision last Dec. 31 in Ota City, Japan, while Tapales lost his crown to the weight scales before knocking out Shohei Omori in the 11th round last April 23 in Osaka.

Another highlight of the annual event is the casting of the fists of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who will also be the guest of honor and speaker, and former World Boxing Association welterweight titlist Bernabe Villacampo.

The country’s international, regional, and national champions will also receive awards to be presented by Laura Elorde.