Salute to explorer John Arum; shame on Floyd Jr.

THE INITIAL reports were not quite right.
It was not during a hike that 49-year-old John Arum had gone missing.
John, first-born of boxing promoter cum laude Bob Arum, fell while scaling another impossible mountain peak.
John Arum’s body was found after a “five-day search on the 8,500-foot summit of Storm King Mountain in Washington State in the Northern Cascades at a level of 7,700 feet,” said Fanhouse, in a report over the weekend.

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You see, hiking and scaling challenging cliffs may be one and the same to adventurous Americans.
But definitely not to a small-town Filipino kid like your reporter here.
It was too late before I realized it was not a mere Boy Scout hike and campout John Arum had joined.
This also comes late, but allow me and my family to extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Bob Arum and his loved ones.
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John Arum, the initial dispatch continued, was reported missing the other Sunday following a solo weekend hiking and camping trip.
The absence of John, whose backpack was found three days later at the 7,400-foot level of Storm King Mountain, forced his 78-year-old father to leave the Los Angeles press conference last Tuesday that launched the three-city promotion tour of Manny Pacquiao’s coming fight with Antonio Margarito.
Personnel from the National Park Service, Chelan Mountain Rescue and King County sheriff’s office conducted ground and aerial searches covering a 1,500-acre area.
They found the body of the experienced mountaineer, lawyer and environmentalist, who fell from a treacherous cliff, on Friday.
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To Filipino sports fans, kindly say a prayer, do a kind deed, or offer sacrifices for the glorious repose of John Arum’s soul.
The family of Bob Arum has expressed its deep gratitude to everyone from around the world who helped sustain them during “this most difficult time,” adding “you have touched our souls.”
I also take this opportunity to thank Mr. Arum, who went out of his way to wholeheartedly assist us during our coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s fights in Las Vegas.
We owe this Hall of Fame promoter, father, and guide to Pacquiao’s supreme stardom, who loved to take pride in the fact he had worked side by side with brave Filipinos, including the heroic defenders of Bataan.
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Indeed, it was a completely separate, almost secret challenge John Arum had taken, compared to the loud and raucous world of boxing his legendary father has lived in.
However, it goes without saying that, just like his son, Bob Arum continues to produce great boxing events, like the Thrilla in Manila of 1975, with genuine dignity and quiet grace.
Truth is that the incredible feats John Arum performed in providing solid proofs to the nobility of man may remain secret and unknown.
For Bob Arum, it is just too bad that the sport he loves and continues to support has also ended up parading an abomination like Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It’s no secret how Mayweather Jr., no thanks to his perverse verbal shots at Pacquiao, also shines as a screaming slur and shame to the noble sport of boxing.


Source: http://www.inquirer.net