Arum ready to settle row with GBP?

GENERAL SANTOS City – Top Rank big boss Bob Arum yesterday signified his intention to settle his protracted legal battle with the Golden Boy Promotions of boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya over the promotional rights to Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

According to sources, the 75-year-old Arum is now willing to talk with De la Hoya, the chief executive of GBP, to settle the case out of court and avoid further legal expenses between them.

Arum arrived here yesterday from Las Vegas to honor a previous commitment to help Pacquiao, who is seeking the lone congressional seat in Monday’s national elections.

But since the American promoter isn’t allowed to campaign in Philippine elections, Arum said he came over to give his moral support to the boxing champion.

"He came over because we have something to talk about my boxing career," said Pacquiao, who added erstwhile unbeaten Jorge Solis to his growing list of Mexican victims with an eighth round knockout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas last month.

Arum had earlier said the GBP lawyers had wanted to schedule a deposition before Pacquiao’s fight with Solis but a Los Angeles federal court did not set a compulsory date.

Pacquiao signed a seven-fight contract with GBP last September and received a signing bonus. But after beating Mexican legend Erik Morales in the last part of their trilogy, the 28-year-old Gen. Santos native also sealed a four-year contract with Arum’s Top Rank.