Finally got to meet eminent boxing writer Hermie Rivera who I called Manong rather than the more formal “Sir” yesterday while greeting my ?White Gorilla? friend Michael Marley.
We had a good chat at Clement Asencio?s Whereelse Bar at the arcade of East Asia Royal Hotel. And boy, what a night it was.
As promised, I treated Michael Marley with a bucket of Manny Pacquiao?s favorite beer – San Miguel Lights.
Manong Hermie, I learned, is writing a book on Manny the great Filipino boxing champion.
Along with the late Teodoro ?Teddy Man? Benigno and Manolo I?igo, Manong Hermie is a product of the old school of sport writers who can wax metaphor like Shakespeare was their father.
I cannot wait to lay my eyes on his book.
Anyway, Michael ? hey Mike ? you did not keep your end of the bargain. You failed to offer me my balut!
Mike was his usual self. Asking me questions how Manny would fare in Monday?s congressional elections.
I promised myself not to talk one bit about politics last night when we had two bottles too many. Not that I am shy about it. Rather, I didn?t like to spoil my and Michael?s evening. After all, we are all boxing fanatics and passionate lover of the sports which Manny is all about.
Both Manong Hermie and Michael believe the Mayweather-Pacquiao will happen and must happen.
It could. The two could wiggle their way out on the thorny Olympic-style drug and urine testing.
My only problem is that Oscar ?Golden Boy? de la Hoya is already setting the tone about the one issue that is closest to Floyd?s heart and pocket.
The purse split.
I don?t think Floyd will settle for an even split after he easily disposed Shane Mosley.
But rather than prolonging the debate, Manong Hermie and I shifted our attention to the one boxer from Sarangani who has the making of a world boxing champion in the mold of another Gerry Pe?alosa sans the power ? Richie Mepranum.
Jaded as he is, Manong Hermie sees talent when he smells one.
?The boy is good (boxer),? Manong Hermie said.
?Mabait yung bata (The boy has good manners too),? he added even as he revealed that he was Richie?s roommate when the Sarangani hopeful first fought in the US in the undercard of the De la Hoya-Pacquiao fight in December 2008.
Like old bosom boxing buddies, Manong Hermie and I eventually drifted to other Pinoy boxing greats in the past. One of whom was Rolando ?Bad Boy from Dadiangas? Navarette.
Manong Hermie can?t believe when I told him my late father used to bring me to boxing matches in Davao City where I was able to watch the great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde and how I watched Navarette won his Philippine bantamweight championship bout against Conrado ?Boy? Vasquez from the bleachers of the lamented Bernabe Coliseum here in General Santos City.
Oh, I forgot to mention I was born a day before Elorde won the World Boxing Council junior lightweight crown against Harold Gomes at the famed Araneta Coliseum on March 16, 1960.
Manong Hermie, thanks for your priceless boxing vignettes.
I owe you one, I made a French leave on you, last night.
