NEW YORK?He strikes you as a gruff, tough and no-nonsense guy who minces no words in speaking his mind. But behind the rugged exterior, Rod Nazario is just a soft-hearted, doting father figure of uncrowned world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
Nazario, 68, is fondly called “Pop” by Pacquiao?s US promoter Murad Muhammad. Apparently, the nickname has stuck. Muhammad?s executive vice president and right-hand man Ronald Salahuddin also calls him Pop?with due respect, of course. So does International Boxing Federation (IBF) president Marian Muhammad.
To those who know him in Philippine boxing circles, he?s Mang Rod.
I had a rare chance to speak lengthily with Nazario for over an hour while waiting for breakfast in the Marriott Hotel suite provided by Muhammad before proceeding to a meeting at the Home Box Office (HBO) network headquarters last Monday.
