Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao during a Press Conference to promote their 'World Junior Welterweight Championship Fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas' at the Trafford Centre on February 28, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
The rift between World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao and Solar Sports continues. In a TV interview, Pacquiao remained firm in his decision of granting ABS-CBN rights to air his upcoming fights.
“My decision is still the same. Sana panoorin nila ang fight ko this coming May 2nd in ABS-CBN,” the boxing icon said.
Meanwhile, GMA Network was very disappointed with the decision of Pacquiao transferring from Solar Sports to ABS-CBN. Pacquiao announced on Wednesday night his new deal with ABS-CBN.The same statement released by GMA Network mentioned the Philippine Daily Inquirer report published on March 18, 2009 by Beth Celis stating that “the network (ABS-CBN) is said to have offered Manny full media support in the next election to ensure victory in the next year’s congressional elections.” The network also clarified that contract for airing Pacquiao’s fight in the Philippines is between Manny Pacquiao and Solar Sports not GMA Network. Solar Sports and GMA Network are under a block-time agreement granting the latter rights to air the Pacquiao fights in the country.
ABS-CBN also issued a statement through Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications saying: “We understand GMA7′s disappointment about the decision of Manny Pacquiao to have ABS-CBN as its media partner, but it should avoid making thinly veiled accusations based on a columnist’s speculation. It alleges that ABS-CBN’s supremacy in reach is to be used for Manny Pacquiao’s political plans—which is not true. … We also believe that there is no basis for Solar Entertainment Corporation to take legal action. ABS-CBN did not violate Solar’s rights. Pacquiao rescinded his contract with Solar before he approached ABS-CBN to be his media partner. We merely welcomed him as a Kapamilya.”
On the other hand, Solar Sports executives and Pacquiao are expected to sit down and talk this weekend about the latter’s decision of transferring from Solar Sports to ABS-CBN. According to Solar Sports, Vice-president Jude Turcuato said that it was Pacquiao who wanted the meeting.
Solar Sports’ legal counsel said, “Legal action will be Solar’s last option.”
Solar Sports reiterated once again that Solar Sports has fulfilled its obligations stipulated in the contract that both parties (Solar Sports and Manny Pacquaio) have signed in 2007.
