Former world champions Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales are among those honored in the inaugural Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night. ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Former world champions Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales were among those honored during the inaugural Pacquiao-Elorde Awards night at Okada Manila on Sunday night.

The former world champions were recognized as the first "Boxers of the Year" awardees of the newly-formed award-giving body. The event replaced the annual Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards and Banquet, as former Senator Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Elorde Promotions joined hands to recognize the country's outstanding boxers.

Cebu-based Jerusalem of the ZIP Sanman Boxing and Sanman Boxing’s Tapales led this year’s list of major awardees. Both boxers made a significant impact on the Philippine boxing scene in 2023.

Several amateur standouts, including Carlo Paalam, Ian Clark Bautista, Nesthy Petecio, Paul Bascon, and Eumir Marcial, were honored for their achievements. Marcial, who on Saturday won his last professional bout before preparing for the Paris Olympics, stated that he is getting ready for intensive training.

"Itong araw na po yung pinaka rest day ko. Bukas, balik ensayo na kami kasi meron kami pinaghahandaan na training camp sa Colorado Springs, kaya kelangan balik training na kahit Holy Week," Marcial said

Aside from boxers, other Philippine sports legends and personalities were recognized including Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, pool legend Efren "Bata" Reyes, chess grandmaster Eugene Torre, and world bowling champion Paeng Nepumoceno.

Before the awards proper, an eight-fight match card was featured with three championship matches.

Young boxing prodigy Eman Bacosa was featured in the undercard pitting him against Jay Clyde Langahin. Bacosa dominated Langahin en route to a third-round technical knockout. After the bout, Eman thanked his parents for their support.

Young boxing prodigy Eman Bacosa. ABS-CBN News

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong sumusuporta sa akin, sa pamilya ko po, sa daddy ko po," Eman said

His mom, Joan, was overwhelmed with emotions as the fight was going on. She said at first she was hesitant to let her son climb a boxing ring.

"Kasi nung maliit din siya ayoko talaga, pero nakita ko talaga na gusto nya kaya support ko na lang siya," she said.