RIVERA FLATLY DENIES HE IS THE 'PINOY INSIDER'
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Sep 2007
Former broadcaster and boxing man Hermie Rivera has flatly denied suspicions that he is the ?Pinoy Insider? quoted by boxing writer Michael Marley who said that Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao plans to pullout of his October 6 rematch with legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas because of his unhappiness over his purse.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Rivera said his ?connection with Marley was that I contributed some of my pieces. He liked it and ran it. That?s about it.? Rivera let out a hearty laugh when told that the quotes of the Pinoy Insider appeared very much like his style. At the same time Rivera pointed out that there were so many Pinoy insiders.
Rivera stressed ?I don?t know anything? about what is happening adding that whatever it is ?this should motivate Manny.?
Rivera theorized the claims were coming from the Barrera camp saying ?from what I gather it all started with the Barrera camp. They themselves have started floating that angle for whatever reason I don?t know myself.?
In a follow-up email, Rivera said ?I?ve never been an insider (trusted yes) and you know that. Just a reporter doing what?s right. I call a spade a spade or as the late Max (Soliven) would put it, a dirty shovel! That?s the way I do my work. Let me make it clear to this duo (Salud and Gacal) that they should check their facts first before even suspecting me of any wrongdoing if it is one. Not my style Ron and you?ve known me for quite a while already.?
Pacquiao?s close friend and confidant Rex ?Wakee? Salud said he suspected that Rivera was the one being quoted by Marley while lawyer Franklin ?Jeng? Gacal believed it could be Canadian Michael Koncz who was reportedly close to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and was pictured as a Pacquiao adviser but has since been removed from the inner circle.
However. Rivera believes that Salud is after Koncz because Koncz was ?responsible for Salud not being able to go atop the ring one time? even as he maintained it was a contest ?to win Pacquiao?s good graces.?
The former manager of two-time world champion Luisito Espinosa and champion Morris East as well as world title challengers Socrates Batoto who also handled another world title challenger Aniceto Vargas at one time said Oscar De La Hoya was agreeing with what he had written ?about the surprise Barrera might pull.?
Rivera stressed that ?nobody, nobody can say what he (Barrera) is doing is reaching (trainer Freddie Roach) at all. Whatever they have at their end is mere speculation again and this is also being fanned in Philboxing.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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