Pacquiao headlines WBC summit honorees

Sen. Manny Pacquiao headlines the gallery of Filipino world champions who will be recognized by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Pacquiao, the sport’s only eight-division world champion, will hog the spotlight during the WBC 3rd Women’s Convention and Asian Summit this month at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The two-week convention will similarly acknowledge the accomplishments of past champions Rene Barrientos (super featherweight), flyweight Erbito Salavarria, super feather Rolando Navarrete, flyweight Frank Cedeno, featherweight Luisito Espinosa and super fly Gerry Peñalosa.

Likewise to be feted during the event organized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) are flyweights Malcolm Tuñacao and Sonny Boy Jaro, light flyweights Rolando Pascua, Brian Viloria, Rodel Mayol and bantamweight Nonito Donaire Jr.

“These boxers sacrificed to give honor and pride to our country,” said GAB chair Abraham “Baham” Mitra. “It is only fitting for them to be recognized for their achievements.”

Pacquiao snared his first major title when he knocked out Chachai Sasakul of Thailand during the eighth round of their WBC flyweight fight on Dec. 4, 1998 while Peñalosa clinched the WBC super fly title at the expense of Japanese Hiroshi Kawashima via unanimous decision in 1997.

Aside from these former champions, current world titleholders Jerwin Ancajas (IBF junior bantamweight), Vic Saludar (WBO minimumweight), Pacquiao (WBC welterweight), Michael Dasmarinas (IBO bantam) and Donaire (WBA bantam) will be honored.

Six championship bouts are scheduled during the convention with current champion Azizbek Abdugofurov of Uzbekistan staking his immaculate record against and WBC silver super middleweight belt against Wuzhati Nuerlang of China in the main fight.

The 26-year-old Abdugofurov (8 wins, 0 loss) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Russia’s Dmitrii Chudinov (21 wins, 3, losses) at his hometown’s Sport Palace last May.