THE INITIAL hearing on the promotional battle over Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is tentatively set on March 5, Pacquiao?s lawyer Franklin Gacal revealed yesterday.
Gacal arrived in Manila from the United States late last week and told the Bulletin that a high-profile legal team hired by Top Rank had just completed its information gathering.
Daniel Petrocelli, a partner in O?Melveny and Myers, one of the US? largest law firms, has been tapped to represent Bob Arum?s Top Rank, which claims promotional rights over Pacquiao.
Oscar dela Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) had filed a case in Los Angeles against Top Rank, which reacted by filing a counter-suit in Las Vegas.
“Atty. Petrocelli personally got my declaration (sworn statement) in Los Angeles and I was able to review it when I got to Las Vegas,” said Gacal. “I think what they?re going to do is consolidate everything so there?s going to be just one trial. As to where it?s going to be held, I still have no idea,” added Gacal.
Top Rank and Golden Boy became embroiled in a legal tussle when Pacquiao disregarded his contract with GBP dated Sept. 19, 2006, by signing with Arum in late-December.
Top Rank said GBP did not only present Pacquiao a contract at the wrong time since the fighter had just gotten off a 14-hour flight from the Philippines but also Pacquiao was not legally permitted to enter into an agreement with anyone pending the conclusion of his Nov. 18, 2006, rubber match with Erik Morales.
Petrocelli graduated magna cum laude from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1980. He rose to national prominence when he represented Fred Goldman, the father of murder victim Ron Goldman, in a wrongful death civil suit against football idol O.J. Simpson in 1997.
Petrocelli, a highly-skilled trial lawyer, has also represented Enron, Walt Disney and Co., Guess and bookseller Barnes and Noble and is known for his eye for detail and suave court charisma.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is back in General Santos City and is torn between his political plans and the fast-approaching April 14 fight with Mexican Jorge Solis at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
As of yesterday, Gacal said that Pacquiao hasn?t filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of GenSan or a seat in Congress representing South Cotabato.
