When Smoking Joe Frazier toured with a band and sultry female backup signers known as the Knocouts, a joke circulated in boxing circles.
Frazier was enthusiastic but his vocals were more screehing than singing.
“Joe is a lousy singer,” the joke went, “but who’s got the nerve to tell him?”
Similar remarks were made when another heavyweight champ, Larry Holmes, was crooning such all time favorites as “Boxing Politricks” something like that.
Holmes’ pet stage phrase was “you can’t cook with cold grease, y’all.”
Now, in what may be the ultimate John Lennon tribute, Manny Pacquiao is prepping for this third musical appearance on the nationally televised “Jimmy Kimmel Show” in Hollywood Monday night.
Pacman will team with comic actor Will Ferrell, I believe, in a rousing rendition of “Imagine.”
I hope this does not lead Nov. 13 Pacquiao foe Antonio Margarito think Manny wants to “Give Peace A Chance” when they hook up in the Cowboys Stadium ring.
A year ago in November, Pacman belted out Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When Touch” on Kimmel’s program. I understand that just recently Hill and Pacquiao recorded the tune together in an LA stuidio.
Last March, before he beat Joshua Clottey, the always game to entertain and past karaoke master from General Santos City sang the old George Benson hit, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You” on the Kimmel talkfest.
As a sign of Pacquiao’s universal popularity, I note that 501,789 have viewed that vocal effort on Youtube (see below).
Maybe Floyd Mayweather Jr. can come out with a rap tribute to Pacman and his musical skills which also include playing piano, guitar and a mean ukelele.
Just like in the ring, Pacquiao is versatile and flexible.
I wonder if Yoko will be watching.
Pacquiao has been given voice lessons from well known Los Angeles singer Helena Buscema, who was once compared in her own vocal stylings to the immortal Ella Fitzgerlad except “for being white and in her 30s.”
Buscema has sung on TV programs, in commercials and in movies. She and Pacquiao met up at a Christ The King Catholic Church in Hollywood, where Pacman attends the 8:30 am Sunday Mass when he’s in the area.
Pacquaio trains at Coach Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in a grungy area of Hollywood.
