SAN FRANCISCO?We now know that even President Barack Obama is a Manny Pacquaio fan.
We learned that when Pacman and wife Jinkee were invited into the White House Tuesday afternoon for a quick meet and greet.
As far as the official photo(s) of the brief summit, I don’t know where they went but I’m hearing the Watergate burglars may be involved in their disappearance. We’ll save that topic for later.
But?and here’s the real stunner?I peeked at Politico.com this morning while pancake surfing at the IHOP on Fishermen’s Wharf and discovered that the Leader of the Free World is going to be in this marvelous city today.
Could it be that Obama has gone Pinoy boxing crazy, that he will drop by Longshoremen’s Hall, a cozy and historic venue by the bay, on Friday night to watch ?not the greatest but the latest? Pinoy ring sensation, aggressive southpaw Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta, as he is featured in a Telefutura screened main event?
(Actually, the president will be huddling and dining with shakers and movers in the high tech field, the Silicon Valley crowd.)
?Nice try, but I don’t think Mr. Obama is coming to my show,? octogenarian promoter Don ?War A Week? Chargin said in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel. ?Even though I’m a conservative and staunch Republic, I will try to help Mr. Obama. He and the opposing party are in a huge fight over the deficit, the big budget battle.
?So, with this mind, I’ve authorized my fight organizer, John Chavez, to not only let the president in free if they show up but also to give free entry, all access passes to his Secret Service contingent as well.?
Chargin thinks this rematch with Genaro Trazancos, who the Cebuano stopped in seven rounds last year, will serve a purpose.
“We thought we had Hector Velasquez but he hemmed and hawed, he delayed in signing the contract. This guy caught Mercito with a few right hands last time out so we can see if Mercito has improved his defense. No doubt, Mercito will be fighting tougher guys in the future but a great fight between him and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios would make sense only if it was a world title fight. I’m not rushing Mercito because there is no need to do so.”
Trazancos prepped in a Tijuana gym sparring endless rounds with lefthanded Antonio DeMarco so he may be more ready for Gesta in this rematch also.
Chavez reports that about 700 of the 1,100 tickets for the show have been sold already with all locations being ?ringside? and starting at a mere $50.
Chavez and his Street Team were hustling at a Daly City bowling center populated mostly by Filipinos Wednesday night, along with KMEL Radio and a young City Council member on the rise. The tyro politico’s name is David J. Canepa and he’s cognizant of what the Fil-Am vote means in the nearby suburb.
?I get out to support the various Filipino causes and activities,? Canepa said. ?A lot of the people love boxing and they especially love their hero, Pacquiao. I’m anxious to see this young guy, Gesta, and see what he has got. Between Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and now Gesta, the Filipinos have plenty to cheer about in boxing. It’s very cool that the president had Manny over to the White House, that is awesome.”
Gesta did not make a scheduled appearance at the bowling alley as he was battling a slight cold.
?Mercito will be 100 percent ready to fight,? Chargin said. ?I’m not looking to rush him. We’re bringing him along at a good pace and I think the Bay Area fans, Pinoys or not Pinoys, will be really like his take no prisoners style.
?Mercito packed them in San Diego in recent bouts and we think we will have the fans wall to wall in this great location.?
And, if Obama and his security force don’t show up, well there’s still Counciman Canepa, a Democrat who has ambitions for higher office starting with a Board of Supervisors bid.
I bet this young man in a hurry would have plenty to ask Mr. Obama about.
It would be like Gesta getting pointers from Brothers Donaire and/or Pacquiao.
