Rolando Navarette. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
Once known as the “Bad Boy from Dadiangas,” Rolando Navarette no longer fits his moniker but he still has the aura of a former boxing world champion.
Amid present day champions and rising stars during the 18th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards on Sunday night, Navarette remains a crowd drawer.
Navarette, who briefly held the WBC super featherweight title from August 1981 to May 1982, was among the Filipino boxing greats recognized during the event that featured eight-division champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao.
“Masayang masaya ako na nandito ako ulit kasama mga ibang champion ng boksing (I’m really happy to be here with other boxing champions),” said a beaming Navarette.
Navarette said boxing is much different now compared to his time.
“Mas maganda na boksing ngayon kasi nabibigyan na ng pansin. Noong panahon ko, hindi ako napansin. Napabayaan kasi ako noon. Manager ko noon ang habol lang niya pera,” he said.
(Boxing is better now because it has been given exposure. During my time, I wasn’t given that much attention. I wasn’t taken care of because my manager was only after the money.)
Navarette had his bright moments but he wasn’t the same since losing his world title to Rafael Limon of Mexico by TKO in Las Vegas. He hit his lowest of lows when he was jailed in Hawaii after being convicted for rape.
But Navarette is far removed from his darkest days and is more like the champion that he once was.
During a photo-op, Navarette was in the front row with current champions Jerwin Ancajas and Donnie Nietes separating him from Pacquiao.
The boxers, awardees and the Elorde family lined up again for another photo to cap of the night. In a touching moment, Pacquiao took the time to button up Navarette’s barong.
“Wala naman siyang sinabi sakin pero nararamdaman ko na hindi niya (Pacquiao) ako pababayaan. Nandiyan lang siya para sa akin (He hasn’t said anything to me but I know he’s going to watch over me. He’s just going to be there for me).”