Manny hooks up with ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao last night announced his decision to sign up with ABS-CBN for the telecast of his future fights, including his May 2 showdown with British superstar Ricky Hatton despite a live contract with Solar Sports which has a tie-up with GMA-7.

Pacquiao said he had carefully studied his options and decided to link up again with ABS-CBN, his former partner before he moved over to GMA-7.

“Pagkatapos kong pag-isipang mabuti nilapitan ko ang ABS-CBN at napagpasyahan ko pong makipag partner muli sa kanila (After thinking it over I approached ABS-CBN and decided to team up again with them),” Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king, said Wednesday in a broadcast from Los Angeles where he has been training. 

“We are very happy with the decision of Manny Pacquiao to be his partner in future fights, including the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on May 2. As his former media partner, we will support Manny’s campaign to bring honor to the Philippines and to his kababayans here and around the world,” said Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN head of corporate communications, in a statement. 

Solar Sports, which holds the TV rights for Pacquiao until 2012, could not be reached for comment at presstime although insiders said the Solar Sports officials are now studying their legal options.

Pacquiao, however, did not mention whether or not he has severed his ties with Solar Sports.

“Sarili ko itong desisyon (This is purely my decision),” said Pacquiao, who also thanked GMA-7. “Sa ABS-CBN mapapanood nyo ang laban ko kay Ricky Hatton at iba ko pang laban (You will see my fight with Hatton and future bouts over ABS-CBN).”

Sources from GMA-7, where Pacquiao has two shows, said the network is contemplating on filing legal charges against ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN has aired some of Pacquiao’s fights in the past, including against Mexican Oscar Larios in July 2006. The network also telecast his matches to Filipinos overseas through ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel.

Pacquiao also appealed for support from his fans especially in his upcoming fight against Hatton, considered as the Filipino fighter’s toughest match to date.

“Sana po, lagi nyo akong ipagdasal sa mga darating ko pang laban, lalung lalo na this coming May second ( I hope you’ll pray for me in my fights, specially on May 2nd),” said the Filipino champ, who also thanked his former network GMA-7.