IN PHOTOS: PH boxing’s best at the 16th Elorde Awards

MANILA, Philippines – The best and brightest of Philippine boxing were honored at the 16th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions on Tuesday, March 29 at Sofitel in Manila, Philippines.

Young, up-and-coming boxers, established world champions and retired legends rubbed shoulders with promoters, managers and sanctioning body executives. The night was headlined by a pair of 108-pound champions as WBA interim junior flyweight titleholder Randy Petalcorin and IBO junior flyweight titleholder Rey Loreto were honored as co-Boxers of the Year.

Both Petalcorin (23-1-1, 18 knockouts) and Loreto (21-13, 13 KOs) fought just once in 2015 but made big statements in those outings, knocking out Chinese challenger Yi Ming Ma and South Africa’s Nkosinathi Joyi in a round each, respectively.

Nonito Donaire Sr, the father-trainer of WBO junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr, was named Trainer of the Year while Michael Aldeguer of ALA Promotions was awarded the Lope “Papa” Sarreal Achievement Award.

Danrex Tapdasan was honored as the year’s best referee while featherweight prospect Mark Magsayo and junior flyweight contender Jonathan Taconing were honored as the most promising boxers of 2015. Taconing, who performed in an exhibition sparring session earlier in the night, was also recognized for participating in the Fight of the Year when he defeated Jomar Fajardo in September of 2015.

(READ: Rappler sports editor receives Elorde award for contributions to PH boxing)

Among the dignitaries and luminaries in attendance were former WBC junior featherweight champions Rolando Navarette and Rene Barrientos, current WBO junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, former WBA/WBC flyweight champion Erbito Salavarria, plus WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

The event also featured the grandsons of the late boxing legend “Flash” Elorde in action as Juan Miguel Elorde and Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde won their respective bouts earlier in the night.

Here are more photos of the event.

– Rappler.com