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By Ronnie Nathanielsz - Bob Arum in many ways never ceases to amaze us. When we learned from our respected friend Tony Aldeguer that Arum was taking the same Philippine Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Manila as Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ "Bazooka" Banal, we were determined to stay awake overnight and make it to the airport to interview Arum before the crack of another hot and humid dawn.
Of course Bautista, following his powerful performance against previously undefeated Argentinean champion Sergio Medina and Banal with a solid eight round decision over KO artist Juan Alberto Rosas of Mexico deserved our joyful attention. But frankly speaking it was the thought of talking to Arum that perked us up no end. Because love him or hate him, Bob Arum is worth talking to.
It was particularly interesting for us because Arum – with the whisperings of Michael Koncz who has apparently also wormed his way into the confidence of Manny Pacquiao which it seems, isn’t that hard to do these days – has been mistakenly led to believe that we were somehow linked with Golden Boy Promotions, before that with Murad Muhammad and most recently with the giant Philippine broadcast network ABS-CBN all of which were canards.
We talk to them and deal with them because they are in boxing and newsworthy – just like Arum himself.
Clearly Arum, whom we first met during the Muhammad Ali – Joe Frazier "Thrilla in Manila" in October 1975 and then again on his return the following year, doesn’t know us like he should. As for Koncz, his opinion really doesn’t count and never will. Maybe they count with Pacquiao and even Arum, but never with us.
But getting back to Arum. You cannot help but admire the man who, after 75 summers decides to take the long and tiring flight from Las Vegas via Vancouver to Manila, then catch a connecting flight to General Santos City to provide what he referred to as "moral support" for Pacquiao in his quest for the lone congressional seat from South Cotabato. The seat is currently held by a charming, articulate young lady – congresswoman Darlene Antonino Custodio – who hails from a well-established and respected family with decades of political savvy.
Arum said he would make sure not to transgress Philippine election laws and would heed the advice, coupled with a welcome we relayed to the promoter from Commission on Elections chairman Ben Abalos, our longtime and esteemed family friend who has always been a tremendous supporter of boxing. [details]
Of course Bautista, following his powerful performance against previously undefeated Argentinean champion Sergio Medina and Banal with a solid eight round decision over KO artist Juan Alberto Rosas of Mexico deserved our joyful attention. But frankly speaking it was the thought of talking to Arum that perked us up no end. Because love him or hate him, Bob Arum is worth talking to.
It was particularly interesting for us because Arum – with the whisperings of Michael Koncz who has apparently also wormed his way into the confidence of Manny Pacquiao which it seems, isn’t that hard to do these days – has been mistakenly led to believe that we were somehow linked with Golden Boy Promotions, before that with Murad Muhammad and most recently with the giant Philippine broadcast network ABS-CBN all of which were canards.
We talk to them and deal with them because they are in boxing and newsworthy – just like Arum himself.
Clearly Arum, whom we first met during the Muhammad Ali – Joe Frazier "Thrilla in Manila" in October 1975 and then again on his return the following year, doesn’t know us like he should. As for Koncz, his opinion really doesn’t count and never will. Maybe they count with Pacquiao and even Arum, but never with us.
But getting back to Arum. You cannot help but admire the man who, after 75 summers decides to take the long and tiring flight from Las Vegas via Vancouver to Manila, then catch a connecting flight to General Santos City to provide what he referred to as "moral support" for Pacquiao in his quest for the lone congressional seat from South Cotabato. The seat is currently held by a charming, articulate young lady – congresswoman Darlene Antonino Custodio – who hails from a well-established and respected family with decades of political savvy.
Arum said he would make sure not to transgress Philippine election laws and would heed the advice, coupled with a welcome we relayed to the promoter from Commission on Elections chairman Ben Abalos, our longtime and esteemed family friend who has always been a tremendous supporter of boxing. [details]