Arum gets to know the real Chavit

LAS VEGAS – Not until Bob Arum came to visit the Philippines in December last year did he really get to know the man behind the very powerful name.

This time, he’s got the name, that of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, right.

“It was a big joke and it was disrepectful,” said Arum of the forgettable incident, also last December, when, during the final press conference for the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar dela Hoya fight at the MGM Grand, he got the name all wrong.

“I noticed there was a gentleman (in the Pacquiao side of the presidential table) that I really didn’t know,” said Arum, and so, he asked those seated to his left, who the man was.

“And what they didn’t know was that I have a problem hearing with one side. And so with what I heard, though I didn’t know what they were saying, I referred to him as Gov. Taka-san and then Gov. whatever,” said Arum.

Then he visited the Philippines for Pacquiao’s birthday bash, and got to know the man, a political heavyweight, and Deputy Adviser on National Security under the current administration.

Arum got to ride Singson’s bullet-proof UV when he was in Manila on that December, and felt how it is moving around with more than a dozen bodyguards, all armed and licensed to shoot.

Arum was back in the Philippines last October to visit Pacquiao’s training camp in Baguio, and because it would take him at least six hours to travel by land from Manila, Singson had him use his 28-seat private plane to get there in 50 minutes.

The Top Rank president also got to stay in Singson’s elegant villa in the nicest place in Baguio City, and moved around in the ex-governor’s black Hummer with escorts and all.

In last Thursday’s press conference for Pacquiao’s fight with Miguel Cotto, Arum, once again, found Singson seated on the presidential table. This time he had said something as presidentiable.

“In the weeks and months after that he became a very good friend,” he said.

“So, let me introduce to you, a wonderful man, a Filipino patriot, Chavit Singson,” said Arum.

The legendary boxing promoter threw a gentle salute at Singson.

And he’s Taka-san no more.