By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank chairman and premier boxing promoter Bob Arum has fond memories of the Philippines which he remembers with affection some thirty years after the Muhammad Ali - Joe Frazier "Thrilla in Manila" at the Araneta Coliseum.
Arum said then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos "invited me to come back with a friend of hers from New York" and he took her up on the offer and returned to Manila after New Year in early 1976. Arum said it was "unbelievable" and that "everybody was wining and dining me" especially since some of Ms. Marcos' people were trying to interest him in a gaming operation.
However, Arum said the deal fell through because "the people of President Marcos from Ilocandia killed the gaming project" since it was being pushed by a clique close to Ms. Marcos who was from Leyte. Arum added "so I ended up with nothing, but I had the best ten weeks of my life. I had so much fun. It was great."
Arum's fond memories prompted Manny Pacquiao's business manager Rod Nazario to invite Arum to visit Manila as his guest, promising Arum that he would make sure he has a wonderful stay. Arum who met with Nazario and the original members of Team Pacquiao including Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar, Gerry Garcia and this columnist who served as Ali's liaison officer during the "Thrilla in Manila" was very solicitous with Nazario and told him that if he needed anything "just tell me and it will be done."
