Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao announces tonight through ABS-CBN's TV Patrol news program that he is partnering with Philippine media giant ABS-CBN to air his May 2 fight with Ricky Hatton and succeeding fights.
"I thanked my previous media partners, but now after thinking hard about it, I approached ABS-CBN and decided to partner again with them. This is my decision. You will see the Hatton fight and my future fights at ABS-CBN...," Pacquiao said in the announcement, effectively rescinding his contract with Solar Sports for the right to air his fights in the Philippines.
To their end, ABS-CBN has issued the following statement after the Pacquiao announcement.
"We are very happy with the decision of Manny Pacquiao to be his partner in future fights including the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on May 2. As his former media partner, we shall support Manny's campaign to bring honor to the Philippines and to his kababayans here and around the world. To Manny, we say 'Welcome home, Kapamilya.'"
Solar Sports, which claimed to have a live contract with Pacquiao's MP Pomotions that will expire on May 6, 2011, said they will sue Pacquiao and ABS-CBN.
?Naniniwala po ang Solar na ang kontrata nila kay Manny Pacquiao ay legal and binding. Valid pa ito. Hindi ito maaaring labagin ni Manny Pacquiao o ng ABS-CBN. We caution other entities from entering into contracts with Manny Pacquiao in violation of this agreement," Solar legal counsel Enrique dela Cruz said in a statement.
Pacquiao has also two existing shows with GMA-7, Solar Sports' partner network and ABS-CBN's rival ? the primetime series Totoy Bato with Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez and the weekly show Pinoy Records with basketball heartthrob Chris Tiu.
PACQUIAO TEAM MEMBERS SHOCKED BY THE DEVELOPMENT
Pacquiao close friend and confidant Rex 'Wakee' Salud said he was shocked by the development adding that Pacquiao did not inform him nor lawyer Franklin 'Jeng' Gacal about his intentions.
"We were shocked. I did not know about it. Even Atty. Gacal did not know about. Sec. Atienza was also shocked to hear the news," Salud told PhilBoxing.com. "But that is his (Pacquiao) decision and there's nothing we can do about it if that's what he wants. He just shows who's the boss."
Salud however added that there could be trouble ahead. "If Solar will sue, it will be a waste of time and money for all parties involved. Also, I think the advertisers will get confused and may play it safe by not advertising to either Solar Sports or ABS-CBN for the Hatton fight."
PACQUIAO-HATTON IN DANGER OF NOT BEING SHOWN IN THE PHILIPPINES
Ralph Roy, Solar Sports Vice-President, told PhilBoxing.com that they will definitely fight for their rights and if ABS-CBN will push thru with the Pacquiao-Hatton telecast on May 2 in the Philippines, Roy said "Solar Sports will surely file an injunction to the court to stop the showing."
"And the big loser here is the Filipino people," Roy added.
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao announces return to ABS-CBN in a nationwide broadcast thru ABS-CBN's TV Patrol primetime news program Wednesday night.
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