Hammerin’ Hermie Rivera is a Pinoy character with character.
He’s raised six children, he’s dabbled in politics at the highest level in his homeland and he’s managed world champion fighters (Luisito Espinoza, Morris East).
I’d call him a Renaissance man but it’s hard to picture the good humored Hermie dressed as a knight and riding a horse with his lance aimed at an onrushing Visigoth.
Anyway, he’s on my short list of favorite people on the planet.
Rivera is also an inveterate Manny Pacquiao watcher and sometime confidant,
I caught up with the onetime President Marcos Palace operative by phone from his country estate in the Bay Area.
Q. Was Megamanny so frosted by the Mayweather PED allegations that he walked away from a $40 million paynight on principle?
(See Dennis Guillermo on nuclear winter attack of Teddy Atlas who just might need a hug.)
A. I’ve been around Manny for about 10 years now. Admittedly, his education is inadequate, I think he only got through fourth or maybe sixth grade. So he is not very formally educated. We know Manny is human, that he’s had weaknesses in the past. But I know this, I know he’s not into drugs, not into these PEDs. He wouldn’t know what they look like or how to administer them.. Name me one Filipino world-beater that’s into drugs since Pancho Villa, Flash Elorde, Ceferino Garcia, Luisito Espinosa etc and other sports natables who became world champions in the other sports disciplines. No one.
Teddy Atlas (AP Photo)
Q. ESPN’s Teddy Atlas repeated what Tim Smith first wrote, a blind item about the Pacman camp sending an email to Team Mayweather asking if a dirty Manny drug test could be hushed up. What’s your take?
A. I’m sick of all this, really. Let them prove their case or shut up. I know that is how almost every Filpino feels about this.
There was a time when Freddie Roach was training Oscar de la Hoya and left his aide, Justin Fortune, with Manny. Atlas made a pitch to train de la Hoya too. didn’t get it. Made pitch to train Manny but Pacquiao stuck to Roach. Almost everyone wanted a piece of Manny to include Mike Tyson, Emmanuel Steward etc. They’ve made known their desire to replace Roach.. Atlas hinted at this repeatedly but Manny stuck to Roach.saying that “Justin has the job on an niterim basis, I am sticking with Roach.”
As far as (New York Daily News) Tim Smith, I just think someone gave him false information, that’s all.
(Editor’s Note: Atlas is more than welcome to render a “high life” answer to this, he’s got my phone number and email address. Atlas seeking Roach’s gig could be 100 percent hearsay for all I personally know.)
Q. Isn’t it financially ridiculous, though, for Manny to bypass the paynight of a lifetime?
A. You have to understand Manny’s thinking. Sure, he wants that money but he wants to clear his name first. Second, he feels he can walk away from the money because he is, indeed, clean on drugs. I think the stupidity of Atlas was wanting everyone to think (former Roach training aide) Michael Moorer was his source, that was a big mistake. Now there’s a lot weeping, gnashing of teeth and people looking to cash in on the controversy. Atlas did not get the job with Manny and I say he’s got that axe to grind.
Q. What about Manny versus Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas ?
A. Look, Clottey is a tough cookie. It will be a good fight, entertaining for the fans like all of Manny’s bouts, but Manny will wear him down.
Q. What does Hermie’s crystal ball, borrowed from Pinay psychic and (unrequited) Michael Marley love interest Madam Auring say about Manny’s career following the Clottey bout?
A. If Manny wins the congressional election in Sarangani on May 10, he starts serving on June 30. He’ll be busy with the people’s business up to Decmeber. I don’t think he fights again this year if the people elect him to Congress.
I’ve been amazed at how Bob Arum has been able to get him to fight this year before the electoral process, the campaign, gets underway. It’s a tough fight, this election as Manny goes up against the Chiongbian family dynasty, including an uncle who’s in the shipping business , James, the late patriach of the family who’s influence is stll palpably strong, and the incumbent governor Miguel Dominguez.
But Manny has some substantial enticements, he’s with Villar’s party now and people like Chavit (Singson) will help him. Manny is up against the Dominguez and Alcantara interests, powerful people. It will be a great fight at the polls but I see Manny winning and making a twin killing, beating Clottey and then Chiongbian, in 2010. Maybe Manny also wins his Mayweather lawsuit and makes it a triple play.
Q. You make it sound like Pacman could ride off into the boxing sunset soon?
A. Clottey could actually prove to be Manny’s last fight. Manny’s mother, Dionesia, is persistently begging him to quit boxing, to retire from the ring.But Clottey could be the goodbye fight.
Q. You sound pessimistic about Pacman-Mayweather being reset?
A. There are so many factors involved. If he wins his fight for Congress, maybe he quits boxing. But maybe the big fight with Mayweather will still be there for 2011.
What Mayweather really should do now is apologize to Manny and hopefully end the lawsuit.
Then Mayweather should hope Manny loses the Sarangani election.
That’s Mayweather’s only big chance.
