Since boxing scholar Hermie Rivera revealed his plans of writing a tell-all book on Manny Pacquiao in this column a few weeks ago, his phone in Newark, California, hasn’t stopped ringing. Publishers are calling to find out if they can produce the projected best seller.
I tried to pin down Hermie’s thoughts on Pacquiao’s coming fight against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on Nov. 14 and his upcoming magnum opus by sending him a list of questions.
Lo and behold, Hermie the guru replied promptly with candor and in his typical sardonic style.
Here’s the Q&A with the man who’s now threatening to finish his book on Pacquiao earlier than originally scheduled (he, however, didn’t say when the deadline is).
Q: Is the book a biography, starting from when Manny was a kid?
A: Starts when his mom Dionisia was infanticipating up to where he is today.
Q: What were the fights you’re looking to really get into in the book?
A: The classiest, controversial, goriest, most exciting, dullest, the rare defeats (three) including the most-hyped flopperoos, which are few and far between.
Q: What do you think has been Manny’s defining fight so far and why?
A: That will be in the book. Patience, Bossing.
Q: Is Manny the greatest Filipino fighter who ever lived? Why or why not? Greater than Flash Elorde, Pancho Villa or Luisito Espinosa?
A: That, too, will be in the bio.
Q: What do you think about the Cotto fight? Walk in the park, hard stroll, win on points, can Manny be hurt by Cotto? Your prediction?
A: Actually, this is a no-brainer. MP pitches a no-hitter to borrow a baseball line or MP no-hits MC – how’s that for a headline?
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Q: Who do you think has been Manny’s toughest opponent?
A: Erik Morales thus far. Cotto is next but I reserve that judgment after Nov. 14. Now, if you ask me who’s been my toughest foe or foes – why it’s the guys blocking my entry into the broadcast pool of the London Olympics.
Q: How much longer do you think Manny can fight? Two or three more years? What more can he accomplish?
A: You’re spot right thereabouts. What more he can do? Plenty. As a businessman – Cotabato Free Zone, etc. As a boxing man, he has done and accomplished what’s to be done with aplomb.
Q: What’s left to be desired for Manny?
A: A resounding win for a seat in Congress or as Hizzoner, the Mayor of his beloved General Santos City.
Q: Is welterweight the limit for Manny?
A: I’ll skip that one for the nonce. The looney Mayweathers might charge Manny with illegal use of steroids. No way!
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Q: If he beats Cotto, Manny will be the only fighter ever to win titles in seven weight divisions – that’s a big deal for the Philippines. Can you comment?
A: Manny is on the verge of attaining fistic immortality. No one has ever achieved a seven-figure victory in what we reverently dub the Sweet Science. Indeed, Manny is a lucky sonamagun if …
Q: You picked Marco Antonio Barrera over Manny in their first fight. Why and do you regret the choice?
A: Whew, I thought you’d never touch on that. Fact is, I was assigned (by the gods) of Solar to do Pacquiao in that four-man panel composed of Ed (Ukay-Ukay) Picson, Al (Buloy) Mendoza, Quinito Henson with the fourth comedian – the funnyman of Rosario, La Union, Hermenegildo Ordona Rivera. Al begged to get Pacquiao as his assigned role as he didn’t know Barrera at all but was a firm believer in MP’s abilities early then on. Being a cooperative clown of the group, I played the heavy as per request of a dear buddy and suffered ingloriously up to this day. Ganoon po ang nangyari. For verification on my claim, check with the Solar director assigned that fateful day at the Alamo, Nov. 15, 2003. Remember?
Q: Any regrets from that incident?
A: Hell, no. I became a well-known (ahem) zany-humorist as a result.
Q: When do you think your book on Manny will be published and available in the market?
A: No dates yet. Will it have Manny’s OK as an authorized biography? Haven’t asked him yet. And yes, it is my first book.
And so spoke the boxing guru.
