MANILA, Philippines — The end of the legal tussle between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions for a solid hold on the promotional rights to the fights of Manny Pacquiao is in the offing.
Thanks to the efforts of an interested party, which is using its influence and persuasive powers to convince Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya and Top Rank’s Bob Arum to settle their difference out of the court room.
According to Boxingconfidential.com’s Michael Marley, a gag order has silently been imposed on the contending parties while mediation talks are ongoing.
This was partly confirmed when the normally media-friendly Arum refused to comment on the issue Monday afternoon. He, however, hinted that everything will be settled by Tuesday night or Wednesday.
According to Boxingconfidential.com, the mediation process, reportedly initiated by HBO executives, is continuing as both parties look for ways to settle their legal disputes and make the most out of Pacquiao’s drawing power in the ring.
Both have aces up their sleeves.
Top Rank has Pacquiao while GBP has the most attractive foes for the world’s best fighter in 2006 — Marco Antonio Barrera, Joan Guzman and Juan Manuel Marquez.
HBO reportedly broached the idea of a sharing agreement and, thus far, Top Rank and GBP are said to be very receptive.
Though a Pacquiao-Humberto Soto fight has been slated for Oct. 6 in Vancouver, HBO’s purported entry into the row has provided an entirely new scenario.
