BOXING STAR Manny Pacquiao and his long-time business manager Rod Nazario are back talking ? even laughing together. Just like old times.
As to how long they?d remain this way is anybody?s guess. The two whose relationship had been considered by many as that of father-and-son, had a very public falling out as Pacquiao accused Nazario of pocketing some of his purse money and of conniving with promoter Murad Muhammad to deprive him of additional income.
Nazario has denied the accusations.
So when Pacquiao appeared at the door of Nazario?s Wild Card gym in Para?aque, there was trepidation on both sides.
As Nazario was preparing to call it a day at the gym early Thursday, Pacquiao arrived, delivered on the doorstep by his latest acquisition, a brand-new silver-colored 3.8-liter V6 Mitsubishi Pajero worth around P2.5 million.
Nazario had waited all day for Pacquiao to show up and as he was packing his things, one of Pacquiao?s aides told Nazario that the fighter was outside and had asked if he could come in.
“Papasukin mo dito,” said Nazario, giving the boxer the traditional courtesy to someone who had knocked on the door one?s home.
Nazario said the reason he and Pacquiao had a falling out was that the boxer?s mind had been poisoned by a new set of handlers whom Pacquiao hardly knew.
Although the meeting was brief, it was cordial as Nazario presented to the 26-year-old multi-millionaire documents that belie claims by a group headed by Shelly Finkel, Pacquiao?s new handlers, that he?d been had.
After 30 minutes, Pacquiao and Nazario moved out to have lunch at the nearby Max?s Restaurant on Sucat Road. Thereafter, Pacquiao dropped off Nazario back to the gym and the two went separate ways.
Nazario had a 2 p.m. appointment with executives of Solar Sports, while Pacquiao headed back to his house inside BF Homes to relax in anticipation of another appointment in the evening.
Alone at the Wild Card gym, Nazario opened up and said that he will sever his ties with Pacquiao if the boxer decides to retain the services of trainer Freddie Roach and publicity consultant Winchell Campos, who, he believed, was instrumental in having Pacquiao sign up with Finkel without the knowledge of Nazario.
When asked by Nazario if he paid Campos, a former sportswriter based in Manila, a fee for his services, the fighter did not respond.
“Talagang sinabi ko sa kanya na ayaw ko na kapag hindi niya kayang tanggalin ang dalawa na iyan kasama sina Finkel,” said Nazario, who many credit for guiding Pacquiao?s career.
“Mas pinaniniwalaan pa niya ang mga Amerikano kaysa sa Pilipinong gaya ko na matagal na niyang kakilala. Oras na siya ay nagkaproblema kanino siya tatakbo? Sino ang dadamay sa kanya?”
Pacquiao said nothing is final on what his next move will be although the Ring magazine featherweight champion continues to ache for a rematch with Erik Morales, who dealt him his first loss in almost six years.
“Kapag si Morales ang makakaharap ko ay siguradong patok na patok dahil ang iisipin ng mga Pilipino ay ito na ang ating revenge,” said Pacquiao, who nevertheless expressed the same kind of excitement when told about the other marquee name in the division, Marco Antonio Barrera.
“Marami din ang manonood pero mas gusto ng tao kami ni Morales ulit,” added Pacquiao.
