International Boxing Federation world flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero and IBF world super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas will be honored as the Boxers of the Year in the prestigious 17th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards and Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Manila Hotel.
Casimero stopped Thai world champion Amnat Ruenroeng in May 2016, regaining the IBF flyweight crown he lost to the same opponent in 2015, reported Philippine Star.
He retained the title with a TKO win over Briton Charlie Edwards in London three months later, in September, the report said.
He reportedly ended the year with a ring record of 23-3-0 with 15 knockouts.
Ancajas, 25, who wrested the IBF superflyweight crown with a unanimous decision over fellow Filipino Paul Apolinario in 2015, retained the title with another unanimous decision over 25-year-old Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo, who was unbeaten in 17 bouts (8 KOs) before his bout with the Filipino, said the news portal.
The two world champions will reportedly be conferred the highest honors in Philippine pro boxing in the annual Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards, held in honor of the legendary post-war Filipino great who was undefeated world junior lightweight king from 1960-67.
The awards rites will be presented by the Elorde family, led by Da Flash’s wife Laura, in the formal rites where former champions will be enshrined to immortality through the “Casting of the Fists,” a major highlight of the ceremonies, reported Philippine Star.
