PACQUIAO?S FIRST MANAGER IS DEAD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Nov 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao?s first manager, Leopoldo ?Polding? Correa has died of cancer at the age of 68.
He died several hours before Pacquiao boarded a Philippine Airlines flight for Los Angeles where he was to shoot a Nike commercial at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym and meet with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to decide on his opponent for a March 15 title fight ? WBC lightweight champion David Diaz who is also under Top Rank or battle WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a rematch which is what the vast majority of boxing fans want to see.
A friendly and likeable individual who loved boxing and was a cockfighting aficionado, Correa handled Pacquiao?s career from early 1995 when the skinny kid from General Santos City made his professional debut winning two, four rounds fights in Mindoro Oriental.
Pacquiao trained at Correa?s gym in the fish port town of Malabon in Metro Manila and soon became the pride of his stable after defeating Rocky Palma in a six round bout in the province of Cavite not far from Manila on May 1, 1995, The fight that was telecast on the top-rated weekly boxing show at that time, ?Blow by Blow? which was promoted by the trio of Rod Nazario, Moy Lainez and Lito Mondejar who became the original members of Team Pacquiao.
Nazario soon assumed the role of Pacquiao?s business manager and deftly plotted his career ensuring regular appearances on ?Blow by Blow? where the 16 year old kid with the awesome punching power and raw courage quickly became a hit with fight fans.
While Correa was always around and Pacquiao showed him respect and affection, he remained in the background and allowed Nazario to effectively handle Pacquiao?s career leading to the WBC flyweight title which the courageous southpaw won in December 1998 with a spectacular eighth round stoppage of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul on the outskirts of Bangkok.
After a successful title defense against Mexican Gabriel Mira at the Araneta Coliseum, Pacquiao lost the title when he failed to make the 112 pound limit and suffered a humiliating third round knockout at the hands of Thailand?s Medgoen 3K Battery.
Correa?s contract as Pacquiao?s manager lapsed right after Pacquiao moved up in weight and scored a second round TKO over Reynante Jamili for the WBC International super bantamweight title on December 18, 1999 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Nazario then took over Pacquiao?s career and after he established himself at 122 pounds Nazario took him to the US but couldn?t find anybody who was interested in the Filipino southpaw until Samson Leokowicz who at that time was matchmaker for promoter Murad Muhammad saw a tape of the Sasakul fight and advised Murad to sign up Pacquiao.
Within two weeks Pacquiao got a title shot at IBF champion Lelohonolo Ledwaba when his original opponent Enrique Sanchez was injured in training. Pacquiao scored a sensational sixth round TKO victory to win his second world title and although Correa was no longer his manager he was clearly overjoyed at Pacquiao?s success.
Correa leaves behind his wife Alejandra and children Louneli, Aleli, Amileen and Jojo Aguirre and grandchildren Denise, Vianna and Jae.
Philippine fight fans and boxing officials will miss the unassuming and likeable ?Polding? Correa.
We wish to extend our sincere condolences to his family.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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