Not only do I see a boxing link to the tasteful Michael Jackson Tribute going on right now live at the Staples Center, it’s a Manny Pacquia link.
How’s that for an Examiner who examines things?
Actually, I see two Pacman links but I will get to that in a minute.
(Kudos to host and Examiner corporate owner AEG for staging this tribute of worldwide interest so flawlessly. They do it right at the Staples Center but I still despite those Lakers.)
The boxing link came in the words of 79 years young Motown founder Berry Gordy.
The story has been often told but before becoming a music mogul and incredibly wealthy man, Gordy was an aspiring boxer in gritty Detroit.
His trainer was none other than Coach Freddie Roach’s own trainer and the man who have him the fistic foundation to become what Roach is today, the world’s most accomplished and rightly celebrated boxing tutor.
Yes, Mr. Eddie Futch was Gordy’s trainer. Futch began training fighters in Motown and, like the record company, he later moved to Los Angeles.
I remember speaking to Futch about his pupil and why he dissuaded Gordy from a career as a professional boxer. If I recall, Gordy was a bantamweight, a small guy. Looking at him speaking so eloquently today about Michael Jackson, Gordy looks like he remains at fighting weight.
“I told Berry that boxing was not his future. He had talent but I didn’t foresee him becoming a world champion in that era,” Futch said.
Futch had been an amateur fighter at the Brewester Center alongside a heavyweight named Joe Louis.
So his words to Gordy carried impact and the creator of Motown switched careers.
OK, so what’s the second boxing/Pacquiao link, Marley?
Obviously, Manny’s fellow Nike endorser and pitchman Kobe Bryant. Not only is Pacman flying to LA to do a commercial shoot with the hoops superstar but Bryant has a late July six-city Asian tour which includes Mania.
It will be a thrilla in Manila when Bryant gets there and it’s easy to guess that he and Pacman will team up again in the capital f Pacland.
Is that it with the boxing/Pacman links?
Well, they’re both “Thrillers.”
They’re both referred to as “Gloved Ones.”
But the comparisons are for a later column.
The only other boxing but not Pacman link is to fiery Rev. Al Sharpton who said, speaking directly to the pop idol’s children, “there was nothing strange about your father…what was strange was what he had to deal with…”
Sharpton, of course, has long been around boxing is extremely close to promoter Don King who also attended the tribute. King, as noted previously, was involved in The Jacksons Victory Tour.
Herewith Gordy’s eulogy: 11.02am (7.02pm): And Gordy finishes up, to the loudest cheers and applause so far: “The more I think about Michael Jackson, the more I think The King of Pop is not big enough for him. I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived… Michael, thank you.”
10.59am (6.59pm): “From the first beat of Billie Jean, I was mesmerized. And when he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit, and never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael’s life was beautiful. Sure, there were some sad, sad times, and maybe some questionable decisions on his part, but Michael Jackson accomplished everything he dreamed of.” That’s the first reference to anything negative in Jackson’s life and career so far during this service, though Gordy soon passes over it.
10.54am (6.54pm): Here’s Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, who’s looking exceedingly vigorous and healthy for 79. “Today the world mourns the death of a friend and brother, Michael Jackson, who was like a son to me… Michael Jackson was 10 years old when he and his brothers auditioned for me in Motown in Detroit that July day in 1968, and blew us all away. The Jackson 5 were just amazing, and little Michael’s performance was way beyond his years. This little kid had an incredible knowingness about him… he sung a Smokey Robinson song called Who’s Lovin’ You. He sang it with the sadness and passion of a man who’d been living the blues and heartbreak his whole life. And as great as Smokey sang it, I thought Michael was better.” Robinson, in the audience, chuckles in agreement.
