March 25, 1935 marked an important day in Philippine boxing, for this day, an all-time great named Gabriel "Flash" Elorde was born. The humble Filipino southpaw hailing from Cebu may be the one responsible for putting Philippine boxing on the map. Touted by many as the greatest super featherweight champion in boxing history, Elorde was the first Filipino who made it to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993, and was also enshrined at the World Boxing Hall of Fame. 27 years after his passing, the Elorde family has successfully established the most prestigious annual boxing convention in the Philippines. Held every 25th of March, the Elorde Awards Night relives Flash's birth, his legendary career, and honors the men and women who bring glory to the world of Philippine boxing. The 2012 "Banquet of Champions" was the 12th installment of the said boxing convention, an annual event where fighters, managers, promoters, writers, fight officials, and even fans gather for one eventful night.
The night started with live bouts that featured boxers from the Johnny Elorde stable. Giemel Magramo, 18 years of age and coming from a known boxing bloodline in the Philippines, made his professional debut with only 15 amateur fights to date. His opponent was a game Antonio Melencion, who made his professional debut himself. It was clear since the first bell that Melencion came to fight. Melencion wasted no time jumping on Magramo, unleashing combinations that tested Magramo's chin early in the fight. More than halfway through the round, Magramo came back with hard body shots on Melencion.
After a slow start, Magramo seemed to have his guy figured out in round 2. He dug deep to the body where Melencion appeared to be hurt. Both fighters traded in round 3, which favored the more heavy-handed Magramo, who continued to work the body and, as a result, Melencion looked worn down before the round ended. Round 4 was all Magramo as he beat up a ready to go Melencion, but wasn't quite able to finish him. Ultimately, Magramo won by unanimous decision in his pro debut. "It hurts more in the pros. I will train harder for the next fight," said Magramo to this writer after the bout.
Next up was Filipino light flyweight prospect and WBC international light flyweight title holder Jonathan Taconing (13-1-1, 10 KOs), who stopped Samuel Apuya (7-10-1, 4 KOs) in 4. Taconing, who possesses serious punching power and good inside game, is now being groomed for a world title fight against Kompayak Porpramook of Thailand on May 5.
Monico Laurente (22-7, 5 KOs) grabbed the vacant Philippine bantamweight title after defeating Rey Las Pinas (15-6-4, 10 KOs) by unanimous decision in the co-main event just before the awards ceremony. Typical Monico Laurente showed up in the fight, showing the ability to jab, move and box. Las Pinas, on the other hand, was aggressive and was focused on hitting Monico's body. Las Pinas had his moments, occasionally trapping Monico on the ropes and forcing him to trade, but in the end, Monico's boxing ability, timed combinations, and jabs were too much for the gutsy Las Pinas.
Dinner was served next and the ceremony started right after. Those in attendance included active fighters Sonny Boy Jaro, Donnie Nietes, Johnriel Casimero, Marvin Sonsona, Denver Cuello, Roilo Golez, Rocky Fuentes, Rey Bautista, AJ Banal, Milan Melindo, Silvester Lopez, retired boxers Rolando Navarette, Pretty Boy Lucas, promoters/managers Aljoe Jaro, Michael Aldeguer, media personalities Dyan Castillejo, Ronnie Nathanielsz, and many more. People in attendance couldn't have been more hyped upon the arrival of Alex Ariza, Amir Khan and guest speaker Manny Pacquiao. Fans quickly mobbed the trio the moment they got pass the door; the good thing is that all three were game to take pictures and sign autographs for everyone. I took the opportunity to ask Amir Khan about the circulating rumors that he won't be working with Freddie Roach or Alex Ariza on his upcoming fight. Khan expressed his unhappiness about the rumor and stated it was "Bollocks".
The ceremony started a few minutes later. It was most notable that Sonny Boy Jaro was highly accepted and applauded by the audience. Jaro, who now holds The Ring and WBC world flyweight title, is coming off of a stunning upset victory after he went to Thailand and stopped former pound-for-pound fighter Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in 6 rounds. Manny Pacquiao soon took the spotlight after the trophies were given to the awardees. Pacquiao has been a regular in the said annual convention, and this year, he took home the "Man for Others" award. "This is such an incredible honor. I feel humbled and at the same time very proud," said Pacquiao. And just like his recent interviews, Pacquiao talked about his newfound passion of reading the Bible. "Nothing is impossible with help of the good Lord," he added. Pacquiao also mentioned how the great Flash Elorde is an inspiration to the people.
The audience was treated to another championship fight when veteran Dennis Laurente (42-4-5, 23 KOs) defended his Philippine welterweight title against the hard-hitting Eusebio Baluarte (19-6, 12 KOs). What was thought to be a stay-busy fight for Laurente turned out to be a 12-round war that tested both fighters' spirit and determination to win. Laurente confidently started the fight and seemed to be eager to have a quick night. He launched hard left straights and trademark inside body work. Baluarte, on the other hand, moved, jabbed and caught Laurente when coming in with hard right hands. More than halfway through the round, Baluarte stunned Laurente on his way in. Although he continued his assault, Laurente paid for it as he was knocked down. From there on, everyone knew he was in for a fight.
Laurente started to utilize his jab in round 2. Baluarte would often throw hard combinations to the head and body, hurting Laurente yet again in the round, but Laurente recovered quickly to finish strong. The action packed fight continued in round 3, but this time it was Baluarte who got hurt from Laurente's non-stop body punching. Baluarte would then survive to box and land clean hard shots on Laurente yet again on his way in.
Baluarte tried to mix it up with Laurente in round 4, but the veteran Laurente, who's known for his brawling style, was successful in hurting the challenger on several occasions. Round 5 was highlighted with a clean, hard right by Baluarte, but it was taken well by the champion. Baluarte missed most of his shots at the halfway mark, and Laurente took advantage of it to finish the round strong. Round 6 was like the first five rounds, but added this time was Baluarte getting hurt from repeated hard right hooks by Laurente.
The crowd was treated more to what was already a great fight in rounds 7 and 8. Baluarte got the better of the exchanges in round 7, while Laurente shook off the hard shots and tagged the challenger before ending round 8. For most of the rounds, Baluarte would give Laurente a tough match when fighting from mid to long range, but the ever trying Laurente wouldn't stop until he eventually got inside to unleash body shots that allowed him to finish the round strong. As the fight went on, Laurente was starting to look tired while Baluarte was still on his toes. After getting knocked down and having a point deducted due to an accidental headbutt, Laurente stepped on the gas in round 12. His hard work paid off when he dropped Baluarte with a hard right hook to the head in the closing seconds. Baluarte beat the count, but was dazed and holding the rope while walking to the referee. Upon seeing the damage, referee Virgilio Garcia waived the fight off exactly the same moment when the bell sounded, giving Laurente a 12th round TKO victory.
Two judges had Laurente winning prior to the stoppage, 107-100, 105-102 and 103-104.
"I wanted to take him out in the first round," said Laurente during my locker interview. When asked if he was hurt in the first round, Laurente replied, "Yes, I was rocked in the first round."
I'm more than honored to have been a guest writer in a night full of stars, food, wonderful people and exciting fights, which made this writer think of how much effort the Elorde's put to have this kind of event each year. The day when the great Flash Elorde was born was the same day I took a huge step forward in my writing career. My big thanks to the entire Elorde family for inviting me.
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