LET the finger pointing begin. So who induced Manny to boldly claim that his fans can now watch his fight with Ricky Hatton on ABS-CBN?
This, despite the existence of a valid and binding contract with Solar Entertainment which has reserved for itself the right to purchase blocktime with any network it prefers?
From newspaper accounts, Manny?s legal counsel Atty. Franklin Gacal had no inkling whatsoever about Manny?s decision. He reportedly flew all the way to Los Angeles to do some damage control.
The result? There was a statement from Manny read by my erudite compa?ero, which in part states: ?Matapos ang masusing pag-aaral at pagtimbang-timbang namin ng Solar Entertainment Corporation, napatunayan na ang kontrata tungkol sa TV rights ng aking mga laban ay valid and binding at hindi nilabag nino man.?
Well of course, champ. The problem is that the ?masusing pag-aaral? should have been done before you actually announced a shift in contractual allegiance.
Read the Dean Quinito Henson?s article on Philippine Star which mentions about an unidentified lawyer formerly connected with ABS-CBN who brokered the aborted switch, together with a broadcaster.
The moral of the lesson? Listen to YOUR lawyer, not just A lawyer.
JARGON. The words ?tortuous interference? seem to be in vogue nowadays.
I first heard that legal gobbledygook around the time that Manny was embroiled in a controversy on his promotional deals with Top Rank and Golden Boy.
I recently heard it again during the network switching legal gaffe.
Well, the public might be tempted to brand it as the usual legal jargon we lawyers employ and I might be tempted to agree.
After all, tort is generally understood in legal parlance to be a wrong committed, independent of a contract. Or loosely defined, an unlawful violation of a private legal right not created by contract.
But since in this case, there was a valid existing contract, the term ?tortuous interference? as used in this context might actually be an oxymoron?
Kidding aside, this brings to mind a favorite oxymoron of mine, which Secretary Cerge Remonde?s lovely wife Marit also favors: good lawyer.
BARRERA?S CUT. Last Rounder Ralph Vencer asks:
?I totally agree with Barrera that the ref made a mistake for not stopping the fight earlier. What do you think if they fight again? Let?s see if Amir can dominate Marco with no big cut in the first round.?
Well Ralph, I finally saw the fight and I must say that the cut was a decisive factor in that bout. It was inflicted very early and Barrera right away started having problems due to the blood that poured down and limited his vision.
But I will not venture to say that that Marco could have beaten Amir sans the cut. To me, the cut only served to highlight or amplify Barrera?s physical disadvantages against the taller, stronger and faster Khan.
Since the cut was on the left part of his head, Barrera-who fights from an orthodox stance and therefore his left side is the advancing side-became more susceptible to Khan?s jab which was a potent weapon in itself.
I?ve seen too many fights to fall into that trap and state that Barrera could have won without the cut. But I agree with you that Khan definitely would have had a more difficult time earning a win over the faded Mexican legend than a cut-assisted TKO in 5.
Rematch, anyone?
YAW YAN FOR SUMMER. Why not try and learn a Filipino indigenous martial art this summer? The Yaw-Yan Ardigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. is now accepting students for summer class at the Yaw-Yan Ardigma Gym at the 3rd Flr Rm 304 Villacampa- Capuras Bldg., Sanciangko St. Cebu City across UC-Main Campus. Summer class starts on April 1. LAST ROUNDS. It?s on my SHS-B batchmate Alan Bacus my compa?ero Atty. Marchel Sarno, and dear friend, Jo-anne
Avenido-Arevalo who are celebrating their birthdays this month. Cheers!
