By Rey Danseco
Golden Boy Promotions spared Manny Pacquiao when they filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against its rival Top Rank promotions.
Showing his respect to Pacquiao, GBP’s big boss Oscar de la Hoya instead wanted to talk to his fellow pound-for-pound fighter, man to man and fighter to fighter to settle the issue.
"Golden Boy is proud to have Manny as part of its team and we are looking forward to bring Manny the best, biggest and most lucrative fights going forward," GBP's matchmaker Eric Gomez said in a statement.
Gomez said de la Hoya aims to discuss with Pacquiao his next megabuck fight, possibly a rematch against World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera next year.
"We are hopeful that Manny Pacquiao will recognize that he has surrounded himself with individuals [who] clearly do not have his best interest at heart and will come to the conclusion that the right thing to do is to honor the agreement he has entered with Golden Boy Promotions," said Gomez.
Arum will be sent to court of law for allegedly "tortuous interference with Golden Boy’s existing, fully negotiated and executed promotional agreement with Manny Pacquiao."
The GBP had agreed to promote Pacquiao’s next seven fight after the Filipino hitman disposed Erik Morales in a devastating fashion last Sunday.
Arum, on the other hand, claimed Pacquiao also signed with his company. He said the terms will last in the next four years. Both parties claimed the validity of their contracts with the Pacman.
GBP also intends to sue Pacquiao’s close associates such as Rex "Wakee" Salud and Michael Koncz as well as his lawyer Franklin Gacal.
"We believe that Manny has been ill advised to enter into another agreement. We believe further that Manny’s advisors Michael Koncz and Wakee Salud and his attorney Franklin Gacal have conspired against Golden Boy and induced Manny to breach his agreement. As a result follow up lawsuits against these three individuals are currently being prepared and will be filed shortly," Gomez said.
