By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Boxing man Rod Nazario who was responsible for steering the career of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and leading him to two world titles is doing well after heart surgery at the Asian Hospital in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Nazario handled the affairs of Pacquiao since the young kid from General Santos City carved a name for himself on the weekly boxing show "Blow by Blow" and saw him win the WBC flyweight title with a sensational seventh round KO win over Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul. Nazario later took Pacquiao to the United States where he was trained by Freddie Roach. Promoter Murad Muhammad secured an IBF junior featherweight title shot for Pacquiao who won the crown with a spectacular sixth round demolition of Lelohonolo Ledwaba.
Nazario and Pacquiao parted ways amicably after Pacquiao scored an eleventh round TKO victory over Marco Antonio Barrera and then lost in his first battle with Erik Morales.
Supreme Court justice Minita Nazario said renowned heart surgeon Dr. George Garcia who arrived from the US yesterday performed the quadruple by-pass and although Nazario felt "a little groggy" while in the Intensive Care Unit he was "alright."
Prior to leaving for the US, Pacquiao spoke to Nazario on the phone a couple of times to inquire about how he was doing. Nazario currently manages RP super flyweight champion Eden Sonsona.
Before he checked in at the hospital Murad Muhammad who now handles former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield called Nazario to check on his health and also discussed his plan to feature Philippine mini flyweight champion Florante Condes and top-rated junior featherweight Bernabe Concepcion on the undercard of Holyfield’s showdown against Fres Oquendo on November 11 in San Antonio, Texas.
