GRAPEVINE, TEXAS–Forget Megamanny. Put aside the Pinoy Idol tag. Ditto for Pambansang Kamao or National Fist.
I’ve even grown bored of Pacman which was a video game before it became the fighter’s nickname.
After getting full exposure to the enthusiasm that he shows for what other boxers consider drudgery, in Los Angeles and here in the Dallas area, I have a new nickname for the phenomenom who was chrsitened as Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao.
Manimal.
I like it, it has certain ring a ding ding to it and not just because Pacquiao keeps wearing these Sinatra Era, Las Vegas Rat Pack style hats.
Morning roadwork is something Pacquiao treats like it is unbridled joy. The hours upon hours in the gym with not one but three masters, Coach Freddie Roach, Buboy and Alex Ariza, are welcomed like sunshine in January.
And, despite the rumors and the whispers, Pacquiao will bot be qutting his boxing office any time soon.
That’s what the usually media shy chief adviser Michael Koncz told me the other day over coffee at Nat’s Thai Restaurant where the fighter usually has dinner after a grueling Wild Card Gym workout.
Some have suggested Pacquiao is mulling retirement whether or not he is elected to the Philippine Congress from Saragani in the election on May 10.
Be of good cheer: Sexy but still wholesome Cowboys cheerleaders envelope Pacquiao, Clottey (Top Rank Phot/Chris Farina)
Koncz says no way, Jose. Koncz shares the common view that Pacquiao will either be the Fighting Congressman or the fighter who tried twice for elective office but failed at the polls. Either way, Koncz doesn’t think he will soon be seeking new employment.
“When the training becomes real work, when Manny finds it boring, then he will quit boxing but not before,” the native of Canada said.
“No one else really knows when that day will come for what matters is what is inside Manny’s head, Manny’s heart on this. Manny is really having fun right now. Manny really enjoys being on top of the whole world in his chosen sport of boxing.
Canadian Clubber: Manny Pacquiao’s agent and adviser Michael Koncz doesn’t think Manny quits the ring anytime soon. Koncz is on far left in photo.
“Those drug allegations hurt Manny’s feelings also. I think he wants to keep boxing to disprove them. He has always been a clean athlete whose career is predicated on hard work. That’s why he has the lawsuit against the liars who spread these lies. Manny has taken that very personally, I think.
“The truth of the matter is Manny was hurt by those negative comments as he knows they tarnished his image.”
Koncz sees several more fights looming beyond Joshua Clottey Saturday night, including or not including Floyd Mayweather.
Switching gears a little bit, I told promoter Bob Arum that Manny informed me on one one that harbors no presdiential aspirations in his homeland. Right now, Candidate Manny is supporting Manny Villar’s drive to become the main man in Malacanang Palace, the Pinoy White House.
Arum did not miss a beat.
“Ah, that’s what they all say, they don’t want to be president,” Arum barked.
The cynical, old dog was talking about politicians, I think, not prizefighters.
Arum is a lifelong, cycnical Democrat who once worked in the Justice Department under Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
Cassius Clay was just age 19 when he TKO’d Texas veteran Donnie Fleeman on Feb. 21, 1961. Three years and four days later, Clay who became Ali took the heavyweight crown from Sonny Liston.
Leave it Boxing News UK intrepid reporter Tris Dixon to search for and find onetime Cassius Clay opponent Donnie Fleeman in the hinterlands near the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metroplex.
Few, if any scribes, have been able to track down the reclusive early career foe of the man who became worlwide legend Muhammad Ali but Dixon was persistent and visited with the reclusive Fleeman on Wednesday before the Pacquiao-Clottey presser at Cowboys Stadium.
Dixon told me Fleeman is physically and mentally debliatated and lives with eight cats.
Sadly, Dixon reports, Fleeman never called his famous foe either Clay or Ali and did not seem to remember that particular fight.
Dixon also pointed out that Fleeman, who ended his career at 35-12-1 weighed a mere 184 pounds while teenaged Clay was only ay 190 when they fought. Fleeman’s other brush with ring greatness was a KO 6 he posted over the old and washed up former champ Ezzard Charles in 1958.
I’ve had three or four felines at one time and my brother, Boxingconfidential Editor Joe Shadyac and wife Nancy have nine cats (that means 81 lives, multiplying nine by nine) on Cape Cod.
Since my sweet female named “Mike Tyson,” departed this planet in January, I’m down to one, boxing expert and Harlem street find “Mister Broadway.”
“Mister Broadway” is picking Pacman to “claw” his way to victory over Clottey in seven rounds but says it will be a real, well you know, a real “catfight.” Of course, another Texan and a Clay opponent, Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams was Mr. B’s all time favorite pugilist.
I shall look forward to onetime Kevin Rooney trainer boxer turned fight scribe Dixon’s full Boxing News report on the elusive Fleeman.
Good thing Dixon got his interview, it might have been a cat-astrophe had he not.
