By Rick Reeno
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank revealed at the post-fight press conference for the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales trilogy, that Pacquiao is now a Top Rank fighter.
Arum said that the $500,000 signing bonus issued by Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions was returned by Pacquiao. According to a source in Golden Boy Promotions, they refused to accept the check.
Arum also revealed that Pacquiao is under a four-year deal.
Pacquiao marks the second fighter in recent months to agree to a deal with Golden Boy Promotions, only to turn back on the deal and sign with a rival promoter. WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz agreed to a deal with Golden Boy, and then signed with promoter Don King a few months ago.
This is a bit more sensative, because Pacquiao signed an actual contract with Golden Boy, according to reports, but Arum always stood his ground that the deal was invalid because it was stipulated in his contract with Pacquiao for the third bout with Morales, that he was first in line to negotiate a deal, and had an exclusive time period to make a deal, up until January 2007.
Expect the matter to head to court, where a judge will decide who actually promotes the Filipino icon.