MANILA – Top Rank Promotions head honcho Bob Arum arrived in the country Thursday, with plans of talking to Manny Pacquiao regarding the fight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as well as formalizing a deal with broadcasting giant ABS-CBN.
“There has been a general agreement,” said ABS-CBN Vice-President for Sports Peter Musngi, who noted that all details will be disclosed during the contract signing on Friday.
Pacquiao’s fights, however, will still not be seen on the Kapamilya network as his contract with Solar Entertainment Corporation is in effect until May 6, 2011, according to an earlier statement.
Recent reports, however, said that Pacquiao's contract with Solar Entertainment has been extended until 2013.
Musngi assured that the agreement with Top Rank Promotions, Inc. is a multi-year contract.
He also made known that the first Top Rank fight that ABS-CBN will air is “Pinoy Power 3” featuring WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire and veteran Gerry Peñalosa.
Donaire will face Mexican Gerson Guerrero while Peñalosa will take on Puerto Rican Eric Morel on February 13 in Las Vegas (February 14 in Manila).
ABS-CBN will be airing Top Rank fights not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well through The Filipino Channel (TFC). The network will also utilize its other channels apart from Channel 2 such as Studio 23 and Balls.
Musngi said with pride that such arrangement will be able to “showcase the next Manny Pacquiao’s of the Philippines.”
He added that the ABS-CBN and Top Rank agreement is a good partnership because “Filipinos love boxing… and Top Rank is the most active boxing promoter in the US and the world.”
The deal will also benefit the country’s up-and-coming boxers as they will gain more exposure in their country as well as globally, added Musngi.
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