SAN ANTONIO – Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin (Jeng) Gacal said recently he expects the legal battle between Top Rank and Golden Boy over the Filipino boxing icon’s promotional rights to be settled out of court sooner than later because it makes business sense to compromise instead of prolonging the agony of dispute.
Gacal said a settlement will bring an end to the bitter fight that stemmed from Pacquiao signing contracts with both parties before deciding to side with Top Rank.
“Boxing is business,” said Gacal. “Everyone wants a piece of Manny. You lose if you aren’t in business with Manny who’s the hottest property in world boxing today. I think Top Rank and Golden Boy will eventually come to terms and find a solution.”
Gacal pointed to Marco Antonio Barrera as a prime example of a loser in the Pacquiao stakes. Instead of fighting Pacquiao for at least $4 million, he agreed to a $1.2 million paycheck to stake his WBC superfeatherweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez and was dethroned. Now there is talk that Barrera wants out of Golden Boy where he is a titular vice president.
“Where is Barrera now?” asked Gacal. “He took a chance against Marquez and lost. I was told he has sent feelers to Top Rank but he is not in a good bargaining position. That’s what happens when you turn your back on Manny.”
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, meanwhile, told The STAR a contingency plan was ready to stage the Solis fight in Vancouver in case Golden Boy succeeded in gaining an injunction on the bout in the US.
Golden Boy attempted to stop the Pacquiao-Solis fight by filing a motion for preliminary injunction before the district court in Nevada last Feb. 16. Judge Philip Pro denied the motion last March 20. Golden Boy then elevated the case to the federal court of appeals and was again thwarted.
Before pressing the injunction, Golden Boy sued Top Rank for contractual interference in Los Angeles. Top Rank filed a counter suit in Las Vegas. Top Rank previously went to court against Golden Boy regarding Oscar de la Hoya’s own rights and is seeking $4 to 10 million in damages.
“I think Golden Boy should stop spending thousands of dollars just trying to keep Manny from fighting in the US,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Do you know that when Manny was training for Solis, Golden Boy had the nerve of getting the court to issue a subpoena for Manny to make a deposition. It was ridiculous. Then, they wanted Manny to make his deposition after the fight. Now, he’s been told he can make his deposition after the elections.”
Arum said the suits and countersuits will likely be consolidated and heard in Los Angeles.
“My contract with Manny is clear,” said Arum. “There’s a clause indicating Manny can’t sign a promotional contract with anyone until my own contract expires. Golden Boy has no case. Their request for reconsideration with the Court of Appeals was turned down.”
Although he has the upper hand, Arum said he’s amenable to a compromise.
“The only leverage Golden Boy has is it’s a pest,” said Arum. “Unless the parties come to terms, this case could drag on and it’s not to Manny’s best interest.”
Arum said he anticipates both parties bringing the cases filed against each other on the table and calling it quits.
“Maybe, even Barrera’s rights will be thrown into the deal,” said Arum. “I think Golden Boy has learned its lesson. The court of appeals, for instance, took only a day to dismiss its case.”
